Greta Van Fleet Takes Over the Music City with Two Sold Out Shows

JOSH KISZKA OF GRETA VAN FLEET (PHOTOGRAPHED BY EMILY HAHN)

After selling out the first show in Nashville on their Strange Horizons Tour, the band of three brothers and one childhood friend, returned to a once again sold out night two. FirstBank Amphitheater is a brand new venue, making the band the second performers to ever grace the stage. This band goes by the name of Greta Van Fleet, best known for stoking the fire of the classic rock and roll sound to keep the flame alive. 

As strangers gathered together, mingling and making friends with those around them, the lights slowly lowered causing chants for Greta to fill the air. Through a thick screen of smoke, Sam, the keys and bass player and younger brother, appeared and began to play the keys. Soon after, Daniel, the drummer and childhood friend of the three brothers, took his place. Jake, the lead guitarist, soon appeared and started playing. Josh, the frontman and Jake's twin brother, was nowhere to be seen. The three battled it out with sound for a few minutes, leaving the crowd to anxiously await Josh’s arrival. His entrance was made by running out on stage with enough energy to get the whole venue, from the front to the back, on their feet ready to celebrate sound.

They played songs for the first time off of their newest album The Battle at Gardens Gate, but certainly did not shy away from their previous records From the Fires and Anthem of the Peaceful Army. They sang fan favorites such as “Safari Song” and “Highway Tune”, as well as some new ones like the popular “Heat Above”, even slowing it down with the heartfelt ballad “Light My Love”. When Josh wasn’t running around the stage singing, he was prancing around the stage with a tambourine in hand while Jake, Sam, and Daniel took over for a few minutes with their own expression of sound. There was certainly no lack of human connection between the band and audience as Josh leaped off the stage to hand out white roses to those in the stands. Throughout the night, the musical stylings of the modern day rock band took everyone’s ears on a trip through the celebration of sound, rejoicing in being able to come together again after a year of silent venue stages. The band’s contagious stage presence mixed with their powerful cosmic sound is an unforgettable force to be reckoned with. Their ability to unite people together for the love of their sound is a gift that does not go unnoticed. 

After the band left the stage, people wasted no time erupting in a chant of encore, hoping they would return to the stage for one final go. After moments that felt like hours, they returned with not one, but three final songs. They gave all they had left and then some, pouring their heart, soul, and sound into the last three songs as the audience wished the three songs would turn into more. The night came to an end with drumsticks flying into the pit and one lucky fan was even given Josh’s tambourine by Josh himself. It soon came the time where people had to part from the comfort of the sweet and familiar sounds of live music and make their way home. With songs in their head, people left the concert knowing one thing is for sure, Greta Van Fleet has been passed the torch of rock and roll, and they will make sure the flame continues to burn. Buy a ticket and take the trip to Strange Horizons.