Concert Review: Greta Van Fleet in Queens, NY at Forest Hills Stadium

Photos: https://www.galaxy-mag.com/greta-van-fleet-forest-hills

To kick off the summer at Forest Hills Stadium, in Queens, New York, Greta Van Fleet stormed to the stage with flowers in hand and ten minute psychedelic instrumental solos. Their show truly was a show that transcended time, bringing both fans who lived through seventies rock music scene, and wished they had, back to the decade of classic rock’s hayday. After finally seeing them live, with attempts to get tickets to prior sold out small venue shows, I can wholeheartedly say that a Greta Van Fleet show is a must see for any concert goer. It would probably be a bit difficult to talk about them without mentioning their 1970s counterpart, Led Zeppelin, so I’m going to do it once to get it out of the way. A Greta Van Fleet concert is arguably the closest thing to seeing Led Zeppelin show in 2019 that any fan could get, in regards to Zeppelin-esque tone and stage presence.

The super groovy setlist had a blend of songs from their debut album, From The Fire, and songs from their subsequent and latest album, Anthem Of The Peaceful Army, along with a couple covers of classics. They opened with a powerful rendition of The Trogg’s Wild Thing followed by The Cold Wind. Towards the end of their next song, Safari Song, Danny played an incredible drum solo that screamed pure rock and roll. He wasn’t the only one to play a killer solo though: throughout the rest of the set, guitarist Jake and Bassist/keyboardist had numerous longform solos that truly completed that vintage hard rock feel of the show. Some other songs included in the set were Black Smoke Rising, You’re the one (which featured a verse from the John Denver Ballad The Music Is You) and an especially rockin cover of Watch Me by Labi Siffre.

Greta Van Fleets live show was overall an amazing display of sheer talent. Being at their show, it’s almost hard to believe you’re not at a reunion concert of rock band from the seventies, but that’s what makes them so special. They are creating new music to reintroduce one of the greatest eras of rock and roll music to a new generation of rock fans, which I find to be really beautiful, and this is even more so apparent with their performances. Their latest album, Anthem Of the Peaceful Army is now available, and they are on tour now, so catch them if you can in a city near you.