Well, this is a bit different. I do not think I have been in the Apollo since Billy Idol played in 2014! On arrival the queue is massive, and I am thankful I can go straight inside. The place is heaving, which comes as no surprise as this is the first of two sold out shows in Manchester.

I wander around and spy via Twitter that the lovely Sean the Brewer of Tom’s Tap, Crewe in in the crowd, so endeavour to find him. There is not much time to chat as support act Marcus King assembles his band on-stage. And what an ensemble it is. Marcus is lead singer and guitarist, accompanied by a drummer/ percussionist, bass player, keyboardist/ organist, saxophonist, and trumpet/ trombone player! Marcus offers an eight-track playlist of blues rock including songs from his 2020 Grammy nominated solo debut “El Dorado”.

Until yesterday I did not know anything about Marcus, but the audience seem to know who he is and there is an air of anticipation as the performance begins. He asks them to sing-along; I am clueless to the lyrics, but he obviously has fans in the crowd, who gladly do as instructed. From where I am stood it is hard to see Marcus clearly, but a quick check online reveals he is only 26!

It is easy listening and good entertainment, though I am slightly distracted by the group of young people stood next to me who are taking endless selfies, grrr. I can see why Marcus is a good fit for this tour and the highlight of the set is the cover of Crowded House’s stunning ‘Don’t Dream It’s Ove’’ (I thought it was originally Paul Young - you learn something new every day!)  During the song Marcus brings out his girlfriend, singer Briley Hussey (who has sung for Donald Trump, so that is disappointing) but it is a stunning performance.

A quick pause and it is getting warm in this rather packed venue. While the lights are up, I browse the company and see a mix of ages among the sea of rockers. Not many piercings or tattoos to be seen but I am impressed by some of the outfits, especially the young men that have dolled themselves up 70s style with fabulous shirts and trousers. But then a voice starts to speak to us, and I am stopped in my tracks… 

“… All across the world we have travelled in search of dreams of gold. I have basked in moments filled with doubt and this is what I’m told: that living in itself is a constant celebration of love and where there is love, we will live on. And where there is not love, we must provide it. Peace is nothing you can purchase; it is a state of being. Exercise the responsibility of freedom. We are prisoners of freedom. Age doesn’t change the person within, it is the person within that changes throughout ages. Death should not be a way of life— it’s only a part of it. Letting go is the only thing we will never understand. The only fun that must be had is too much. People need people. Enjoy all of it, always and remember that all you have is special! Love doesn’t leave when we fade away. All across the world we’ve travelled on in search of feeling to hold. And at the end, we will spend the weight of dreams in gold.”

Woah. The words do not do it justice as it needs to be heard in what for me ends up being rather goosepimply flesh! The band come out onto the stage, which is adorned at the back with 70s style, slightly space age lamps and at the sides with huge walls of round colour changing lights. Greta Van Fleet are three brothers, twins Josh (lyrics) and Jake (guitar), and Sam Kiszka (keyboards and bass), alongside Danny Wagner (drums). They formed in 2012 and rose to prominence when they released their debut single ‘Highway Tune’ in 2017. What is most impressive is the fact that like Marcus King, Josh and Jake are only 26, Sam and Danny are just 23! 

So, confession time… one might assume if you like Greta Van Fleet that you also like Led Zeppelin? Well, I do not like Led Zeppelin. I neither like nor dislike them. I am indifferent. Given my age I guess they passed me by. However, I do really like Greta Van Fleet. Do they sound like them? Yes, they do vocally but I cannot quite put my finger on what is I like about them so much. Guess I am about to find out. I did not pay much attention when I was introduced to them a few years ago but have enjoyed the latest offering “The Battle at Garden's Gate” and tonight’s 12-track playlist is split equally between this album and songs from their previous EPs and “Anthem of the Peaceful Army”. 

For a moment as they arrive on stage it looks like barefoot Josh is wearing a yellow hazmat suit but on closer inspection it’s a rather splendid chiffon and embroidered garment complementing his sage green jumpsuit. The stage it lit up like it is on fire and they are straight into ‘Built by Nations’ which is a truly epic song. Without hesitation they move straight into a song that everyone appears to know, and I am unsure at first and then realise it is ‘Black Smoke Rising’. This is quickly followed by ‘Safari Song’ (if you like Led this is a good place to indulge in some 70s style hippy love). I am starting to wonder if they are going to speak to us or just perform without dialogue?! It is over to Danny next as the rest of them disappear while we watch his drumming skills. It is impressive but my first experiences of drum solos were Matt Sorum on the Use Your Illusion Tour videos in the nineties so that set a high bar, especially having seen both Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver numerous times since, including Velvet Revolver’s first ever tour on that very stage. Sorry Danny.

The rest of the band reappear, and Josh, who looks tiny on the huge Apollo stage (he’s slender and 5ft 8”) greets the audience finally before launching into three more songs from the latest album. The crowd are loving every minute, singing along with rapturous applause, and throwing their arms about. At various points in the night, they are treated to Josh throwing flowers (lots of them), a tambourine and his sunglasses into the audience. His vocals are incredible, powerful, and he can really hold those high notes. Strangely for me I have not paid much heed to the lyrics of any of their songs. All I know is that their formula works and live they are pitch perfect. There is one exception to my adoration… before we reach the encore, we are subjected to an overly long guitar solo, it is ridiculously indulgent and somewhat boring. 

For the encore they perform another three songs, by which point I am flagging, my feet hurt, and we get another long guitar solo… enough already. To be fair having recently seen and reviewed guitar god Steve Vai, I think perhaps I am being slightly unfair, but my gig companions are sharing the same thoughts. As they leave us Josh mentions the pandemic and how this final song was borne from that. I am disappointed there was no ‘Built by Nations’ or ‘Flower Power’ but glad to have seen the band here tonight; I suspect next time they land on these shores the venue will be much less intimate. So, they close out with ‘My Way, Soon’ the perfect end to the show and my review, as the lyrics are very fitting for a 40-something starting a brand-new chapter of her life…

“I've packed my bags and I've got my freedom
I've sacked the rules so I don't have to heed them
I'll bet on a chance if I've just got one
I'll throw out the plans and live with no burden

I have but a lifetime
Seems so long but it flies by
And in the moments passing
I'll bear no load”