Greta Van Fleet

Big news! Last weekend was the first weekend of Austin City Limits! Now ACL is one of the biggest music festivals in the South, and rightfully so! The festival claims six days over two weekends and over 200 artists, which is pretty nuts! I was lucky enough to be able to go, and I wanted to share my experience with you all. Which is why I thought it would be great to talk about some of the artists I got to see who completely surprised me! So let ACL Week begin!

Today I want to talk about an artist who blew me away within the first 10 seconds of their performance. Greta Van Fleet is a band I had never heard of and probably wouldn't have come across in my music discovery paths. But thanks to ACL, I have been exposed to such a riot of a band, and I am excited to be able to share their music with you. This band sounds like a modern y Led Zepplin, and when the lead singer opened his mouth and let out the first note, I was hooked. It wasn't so much a note as much as it was a growling scream into the mic. That's when I knew, this was going to be a band to look out for. Their music seems to be heavily influenced by rock and blues, but as a whole, their sound gravitates more towards heavy rock, filled with thrumming bass, electrifying guitar work, and thumping drum beats.

Greta Van Fleet is probably best described as being a mix of hard rock and blues rock. But at the same time, the band feels like they've just stepped out of Woodstock. The way they sound is so reminiscent of some of the legendary Classic rockers like Led Zeppelin or ACDC or even Freddie Mercury. It's clear that the band draws a lot of influence from these kinds of artists both in their musicality and showmanship. The lead singer, Josh Kiszka, brings back a kind of sound that we haven't heard from rock bands in a tremendously long time. A lot of rock bands nowadays Trend towards complex rhythmic structures and electronic supplements. But Greta Van Fleet has intense drum work, smokey and gritty guitar lines, and husky howls to bring the entire sound together. And yes, it is old school. But Greta van Fleet is creating a resurgence of rock music. They're bringing back the age of rock n roll. And it is so magnificently exciting. Oh and in probably helps when Elton John thinks you're the best rock band he has heard in ages. But, only are these guys able to channel a golden age of music, they make it relevant to younger generations.  

So not only can this band come out with amazing music they can also perform it with such incredible Showmanship that you are mesmerised. The show itself had so many moments where it was just guitar solos or drum solos and there were so many times when all four members were just jamming out with each other. They didn't have to be playing one of their songs, they just played off each other's energy. The lead singer especially brought so much Flair and movement to his performance that it reminded me of the theatrical performances rock bands used to put on. And at some point the lead guitarist got his hair caught in the guitar. So naturally, as someone from backstage was helping him get untangled, he decided to continue playing his guitar while it was upright in the air. Now all of these musicians have been practising and emulating the skills and techniques which the greatest guitar players and drummers have used. So keeping that in mind, the guitar riffs that the lead guitarist was playing while holding his guitar upright in the air was complex and intricate. And he played it perfectly. Not a hiccup in the speed nor melody, and no change in pace either. He just held his guitar up and whaled on while his hair was being untangled! Just another testament to how capable this band is, how seriously they take their influence in musical style, and how entertaining they are. Now I don't want to speak too much about the songs today, because I really just want you all to get a taste of their music. I want to show you who they are and what they're capable of doing. That's why instead of having an instrumental song today, I am posting two songs by Greta Van Fleet. Now the first song is one of their originals, which means it's full of the grit and roar which comes with old school rock. The second song is a cover of one of the most famous blues songs, but it's so beautifully done and showcases a different side of Greta Van Fleet. I hope you enjoy the music and I hope you continue to check out the band! Please feel free to comment.