When you can’t find it on Google.

Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, Forecastle 2013

Zepfanman has finally seen (a fourth of) Zeppelin. Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters played at 7pm on the final day (Sunday, 7/14/13) of Louisville’s annual Forecastle festival. The performance was the icing on the cake of an epic weekend of music, with a set on the main Mast Stage between Grace Potter & The Nocturnals and The Avett Brothers.

Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters

I don’t rave about it very often anymore, but you may have gathered that Led Zeppelin is where this site gets its name. My uncle Jim gave me their boxed set on cassette in 1990 and the band quickly turned into my teenage obsession. After the death of their drummer, John Bonham (in 1980, three days before I was born), Led Zeppelin disbanded and its remaining members have continued to tour in various groups ever since. Until this month, I hadn’t had the opportunity to see any of these acts live.

So how was Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters? For the people who came to hear Led Zeppelin, the show was excellent. For the average festival-goer with a passing interest in classic rock, it was probably less sensational. I chuckled a little bit at the 80s tune “In the Mood.” The bass sounded great in “Tin Pan Valley,” although Plant doesn’t really have the voice to rap. He played two other Mighty ReArranger songs, Howlin’ Wolf’s “Spoonful,” and the rest were great renditions of classic Led Zeppelin songs. It was a particular treat to hear “Going to California.”

I haven’t read up much on the Sensational Space Shifters, but I enjoyed the Spanish guitar (in Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You) and the eclectic sounds and singing from Gambian Juldeh Camara (particularly in the West African-sounding rendition of “Black Dog”; and I’d really like to know what he was singing in his native tongue). Plant wafted incense from the stage into the crowd, and even as the rain started falling during “What Is and What Should Never Be,” I was definitely feeling the love. Mother Nature may have cut their set 30 minutes short at Forecastle, but that’s all part of summer festival fun, right?

Rain clouds approach Forecastle

I wonder, as our world collides
I want to reach out there
Across the great divide
– From “Another Tribe”

From Setlist.fm:

  1. Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You (Joan Baez cover)
  2. In the Mood
  3. Tin Pan Valley
  4. Spoonful (Howlin’ Wolf cover)
  5. Black Dog (Led Zeppelin song)
  6. Another Tribe
  7. Going to California (Led Zeppelin song)
  8. The Enchanter
  9. What Is and What Should Never Be (Led Zeppelin song)

Plant and his band are moving up the East Coast for the final week of their tour before they hop over the pond, back to the UK.

More of my Forecastle photos on Flickr.


Posted

by

Comments

4 responses to “Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, Forecastle 2013”

  1. Katharine Stodghill Avatar
    Katharine Stodghill

    Hi my name is Katharine Stodghill I’m from Louisville and a member of my High School yearbook staff. We are currently working on a Summer Music Festival spread and are in need of a good photo which indicates the rain storm at Forecastle. This picture in your blog is a perfect picture and we were wondering if we could use it in the spread. Please contact me at katharine.stodghill@manualjc.com. Many thanks in advance. @zepfanman:disqus

  2. 大阪京菓ZR明治 74Gきのこの山〔231円〕×160個 +税 【送料無料(北海道・沖縄は別途送料)】【2】

    Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely think this web site needs far more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read more, thanks for the information!

  3. 【送料無料】 PRADA プラダ カナパ ミニ トートバッグ ハンドバッグ DENIM デニム AVIO アヴィオ ブルー BN2439 美品 【中古】

    Do you have a spam issue on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have created some nice procedures and we are looking to swap solutions with others, please shoot me an e-mail if interested.