Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

By Todd McFliker, Photos by Todd McFliker

Robert Plant joined Alison Krauss for a delightful show on Saturday, June 15 at the Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. Just outside Pittsburgh, the weather in the mid-70s was gorgeous for thousands of Gen Xers and Baby Boomers. The venue looks like West Palm Beach’s iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre, only located along picturesque mountains. This marks the third summer in a row that they’ve hit the road together, a tradition that started following the 2021 release of their second collaborative album, Raise the Roof. The follow-up to 2007’s Grammy-winning Raising Sand. The spectacular performance included an eclectic mix of early blues and rockabilly, on top of some mighty Zeppelin favorites redone with a Southern feel.

“I think it started off very tentatively,” Plant told Billboard’s Katie Bain last month. “Myself and Alison were very cagey about the whole idea, having been apart for such a long time, and as it developed, it just felt very natural. And there are places to play, and if you don’t play them, somebody else will.”

To kick off their 90-minute show, the pair of Rock & Roll Hall of Famers entered from opposite sides of the stage and met in the middle to deliver their 2009 Grammy winner “Rich Woman.” 75-year-old Plant wore a black short-sleeved Western shirt with white shoulders over black leather trousers. The rock god’s long curls are turning white and match his goatee. 52-year-old Krauss was in a long-sleeve button-down and elegant black pants under short blonde hair. They were supported by a highly skilled string ensemble featuring multiple stringed instruments, as well as occasional electric guitars. Spectators were delighted to hear the spirit of New Orleans in “Fortune Teller,” a little bit of country in “Can’t Let Go,” and a slow version of The Everly Brothers’ hit “The Price of Love.” Throughout the performance, Alison’s angelic voice blended harmoniously with the Zeppelinesque blues voice.

“We’ve come here to bring a message,” Plant said with a grin. “And the message is just smile. Enjoy yourself and have a very nice time. Nothing too profound. If you can see a way to it, move your hips. Shake your hips.”

No surprise, the evening’s highlight was the nostalgic blast of “Rock and Roll.” The dynamic song commenced as a fiddle hoedown. Other noteworthy ditties heard include “Please Read the Letter,” “High and Lonesome,” “You Led Me to the Wrong” and “Trouble with My Lover.” Krauss presented a traditional English song, the beautiful “Matty Groves” between Plant’s soft “In the Mood” and “Gallows Pole,” the only Zeppelin song that uses a banjo. The Black Country boy introduced his mates onstage, starting with Krauss.

“This miracle came to me in 2006 when we first hooked up to make our song list for our record together,” he explained to the crowd. “I can’t tell you how special these times have been. I can only thank my partner who sings like an angel every night and puts up with me, Alison Krauss.” He then recognized the gifted lead guitarist JD McPherson, who also served as the soulful opening act. Then there was percussionist Jay Bellerose, bassist Dennis Crouch, string player Stuart Duncan, and Alison’s brother Viktor Krauss at the keys and guitar to make up the joyful band.

Attendees jumped from their seats when they heard the mandolin from “The Battle of Evermore.” The familiar tune about J.R.R. Tolkien’s literature allowed Plant and Krauss to showcase their powerful harmony. It’s weird. I’ve seen Plant half-a-dozen times in the last 25 years and every Zeppelin number he performs is off of their 1971 untitled fourth album, commonly referred to as IV. No worries. There are certainly enough pulverizing riffs and modern classics to choose from on the record. It stands as one of the best-selling albums of all time.

Led Heads stayed on their feet as the set wound down with the hard-hitting upright bass of “When the Levee Breaks.” They sang about the devastating floods that swamped the South in the 1920s. “Crying won’t help you, praying won’t do you no good,” they harmonized. The couple quickly reemerged for a short encore of two more Everly Brothers covers, the groovy “Stick With Me Baby” and the toe-tapping “Gone Gone Gone.” The entire crew lined up, took a few bows, and waved us kisses goodnight.

Hats off to Robert Plant and Allison Krauss for delivering a passionate, yet lighthearted show in the Keystone State. Over the next two months, the act’s 37-city jaunt will make its way across the U.S. and Canada. Ten of the dates will be alongside Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and Celisse on the Outlaw Music Festival tour. Accompanied by the remarkable Alison Krauss, Robert Plant’s style has certainly evolved from his previous rock star days. It’s been a long time.