Greta Van Fleet- the new Messiah's of Rock or just very naughty boys?

Was it the hottest ticket in town? I suspect it might have been. The Electric Ballroom in Camden was sold out, I have never seen it so packed. It was a hot sweaty box of all ages, old and young, all to see some jumped up youngsters of 21 and under, play like Led Zep, or so the comparisons go.

It is an interesting night, the comparisons are close in some ways and off in others. I found them somewhere between led Zep and the Black Crowes and somewhere between contrived and exciting. They came on to an audience that knew the words to all 8 of their songs and an audience that hung off every note, they really couldn't have failed tonight if they'd come on playing ukeleles and reciting George Formby songs, so worshipful was their church.
My initial reaction was that they were contrived and I started to point it out to my friend who didn't wholly agree when the guitarist started to play his guitar behind his head...my point was proved...for now.

They had all the moves of Led Zep, a singer that could hit the same notes but lacked the conviction that Plant put into his notes, he had all the same moves but it felt rehearsed, like someone had watched "The Song Remains the Same" too many times. As the night wore on, they loosened up and my misgivings seemed to fade into the night. There were so not so great moments when the set seemed to drag a bit but many more moments of excitement. For all my whining, I had many moments when it felt like I might be witnessing the new Kings of the Rock, they found their groove and they could do anything but they need time and more songs. Live they were great and my youngest daughter would love them to bits. I am sure that the album due early next year will be spectacular and I can honestly say that they way they ended their set was amazing, as they played the last song, they segued into the opening number, not something I've ever seen before and a really nice touch that just shows how well rehearsed they are. The encores were excellent and showed an audience in great voice.

I have my misgivings but that is something that time, experience and an albums worth of material on top of the two EP's that they currently have, will fix.

Are they the new Messiah's of Rock? I really don't know and I think it is too early to tell but they are definitely what the kids of today need, something of their age that mixes the old into the new. I shall probably never see them live again, not because I didn't like them but because they should be the band for the kids and I will donate my ticket to someone of the right age, someone that can do the band justice, not an old fogey that will pick holes in them because they are mimicking the old school when they are probably exactly what rock needs right now. That is probably the truth, I am too old for them!