An Enchanted Evening: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Mesmerize the Greek Theatre..
In the heart of Los Angeles, beneath the twilight sky of Griffith Park, a rare musical alchemy unfolded at the Greek Theatre. On a night thick with anticipation, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss graced the storied stage and delivered a transcendent performance that left the audience spellbound. Drawing from their acclaimed collaborative albums *Raising Sand* and *Raise the Roof*, alongside haunting reimaginings of Led Zeppelin classics, the duo crafted a sonic experience that was both intimate and monumental.
From the moment they stepped into the hazy stage light, it was clear that Plant and Krauss were not here to merely revisit the past. Instead, they brought new life to familiar songs, reinterpreting them with reverence and innovation. Backed by an exceptional band—including the fiercely talented JD McPherson on lead guitar—the night was a seamless blend of blues, Americana, folk, and shadowy rock traditions.
The set opened with “Rich Woman,” a track that immediately established the mood: sultry, mysterious, and impeccably cool. Krauss’s ethereal voice, delicate yet powerful, wove perfectly around Plant’s smoky, weathered tones. Their harmonies were as breathtaking as ever, never overdone, always in service of the music. With a hush over the crowd, the duo slipped into “Quattro (World Drifts In),” their evocative cover of the Calexico original from *Raise the Roof*, showcasing the nuanced emotional range that has become their hallmark.
Yet it was when the band began the rumble of “When the Levee Breaks” that the Greek Theatre truly came alive. Transformed from its original Zeppelin thunderstorm into something deeper and more elemental, the song moved like a gathering storm. The crowd, silent and riveted, seemed to sway as one entity as McPherson’s guitar cried out and Krauss’s fiddle danced like lightning around Plant’s foreboding vocals. It was a moment not just of performance, but of pure immersion.
Another high point of the evening came with “The Battle of Evermore,” a song that has taken on new life in the Plant-Krauss partnership. Where once Plant traded lines with Sandy Denny, now Krauss stepped in with grace and gravity, channeling the song’s mystic energy. Their voices locked together in ancient tension, calling to mind pagan landscapes and medieval dreams, as the Greek Theatre shimmered under the spell of their storytelling.
Throughout the evening, the chemistry between Plant and Krauss was undeniable. Despite coming from divergent musical backgrounds—Plant from the hard-charging world of British rock, Krauss from the refined traditions of bluegrass and country—their collaboration felt not only natural, but inevitable. There was a deep respect in every note they shared, a sense of joy in the act of rediscovery. When Plant gently leaned toward Krauss during “Please Read the Letter,” smiling as their voices entwined, the connection felt genuine and moving.
The setlist smartly balanced tracks from both albums with unexpected reinterpretations of Zeppelin songs, each reimagined through the duo’s distinctive lens. “Rock and Roll” arrived dressed in acoustic finery, stripped of its original bravado and replaced with a rootsy swagger. “In the Mood” became a smoky, after-hours ballad, while “Searching for My Love” radiated soulful warmth.
The band, too, deserves every accolade. Beyond McPherson’s searing guitar work, drummer Jay Bellerose laid down a textured, almost cinematic rhythm, while Viktor Krauss (Alison’s brother) anchored the sound with supple bass lines. Stuart Duncan’s mandolin and fiddle work was both subtle and stirring, adding layers of depth to the ensemble. Together, they created a sound that was rich but never crowded, atmospheric but always grounded in authenticity.
Perhaps the most remarkable quality of the night was its emotional honesty. There were no flashy gimmicks, no pyrotechnics—just masterful musicianship, deep artistic trust, and a shared love of the music. The Greek Theatre, with its open air and natural acoustics, became more than just a venue; it was transformed into a sacred space, where songs old and new could breathe and transform.
As the night drew to a close, Plant and Krauss returned for a hushed encore, ending with a haunting rendition of “Your Long Journey,” the Doc Watson classic. With voices barely above a whisper, they sang to the stars above, leaving the audience in a stunned, reverent silence. It was not just a performance—it was a communion.
In a world of overproduced concerts and stadium-sized spectacle, the pairing of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss is a breath of fresh air: subtle, soulful, and deeply affecting. Their Greek Theatre performance was a masterclass in restraint and resonance, a reminder that true artistry lies in the power of connection—between musicians, between songs, and between hearts. For those fortunate enough to be there, it was a night of pure, rare magic.
Leave a Reply