Greta Van Fleet: Freedom and Harmony
“Music, a dialect that enables us to communicate with no cultural or linguistic boundaries, that enriches and binds a human community emotionally and spiritually. It is a tool of peace and a revolution of the soul where freedom and harmony preside.” - Greta Van Fleet
With a looming chance of rain at show time, I thought the crowd might be lighter at the Starlight Theater in Kansas City. I was wrong. In fact, Shannon and the Clams and Greta Van Fleet played to a sold-out crowd. With around 6,000 seats and an additional grassy area, the Starlight Theater boasts a capacity of about 8,000. With the aforementioned threat of bad weather, the show was pushed up to take advantage of a rain-free window during the evening.
The night started with California based quartet, Shannon and the Clams, an indie garage punk band, known for weaving elements of doo-wop, classic R&B and garage psych into a vintage sound. Having released 6 albums since 2009, the band (Shannon Shaw on bass and vocals, Cody Blanchard on guitar, Will Sprott on keys, and Nate Mahan on drums) is no stranger to the stage, and has been described (on punknews.org) as “a prom band in 1964 getting dosed with acid and having the sweetest lovelorn freak out...a brawling Etta James backed up by the 13th Floor Elevators singing Shangri La’s tunes.” They’re opening for Greta Van Fleet throughout the month of October and well worth making sure you’re there to check them out.
GVF was formed in Frankenmuth, Michigan, circa 2012, by the Kiszka brothers, twins Josh and Jake (vocals and guitar, respectively), and younger brother, Sam (bass and keys). Long-time family friend Danny Wagner replaced Kyle Hauck on drums in 2013, and the band was complete. Their debut EP, Black Smoke Rising, was released in 2017, along with a follow-up EP, From the Fires, which won them the 2019 Grammy for Best Rock Album. Their first full length album, Anthem of the Peaceful Army, was released in October of 2018, and debuted at number three on the Billboard 200. The group was also personally asked by Elton John himself to perform at his Academy Award Party in 2018.
I was anxious to see Greta Van Fleet live and they did not disappoint. Barefoot, Josh took to the Starlight stage with two fists full of white roses which he tossed into the already ecstatic, and noticeably diverse, crowd. Their set included some great covers like Little Willie Littlefield’s “Kansas City” and John Denver’s “The Music is You,” as well as favorites like “Safari Song” and “Black Smoke Rising.” Thankfully, the rain held off the entire time, and the crowd was fully engaged in the show, singing, dancing, and enjoying the music.
GVF will be heading to Europe in November, but you can still catch them in a few select US cities in October before they do. Their music aims to “spread peace, love and unity.” They want you to leave their shows feeling “invigorated, energized and exhilarated, and to take that feeling out into the world.” You can guarantee whenever you get the chance to see them live, you will get nothing less than exactly this.