At Wolf Trap, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss recently performed a concert that was a mesmerizing blend of rock, folk, and bluegrass — captivating their audience from the opening notes.
Held at the wonderfully designed Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Virginia, the atmosphere was electric as fans eagerly enjoyed the duo’s performance for their Can’t Let Go Tour on June 18.
Robert Plant, known as one of rock’s greatest frontmen, and Alison Krauss, celebrated for her soulful bluegrass and country vocals, complemented each other beautifully throughout the evening’s show.
The duo performed a mix of tracks from their two collaborative albums, the Grammy-winning Raising Sand and the Grammy nominated Raise the Roof, showcasing their musical versatility and chemistry.
The concert opened with “Rich Woman” and Plant’s still-powerful voice soared through the venue, proving why he still remains a rock legend.
Krauss, with her angelic voice and masterful fiddle playing, complemented him perfectly, creating a beautiful contrast.
Stream “Rich Woman” by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss on YouTube:
The band backing them was top-notch, effortlessly providing a rich, textured sound to support the two stars performance. The band consisted of JD McPherson and Alison’s brother Viktor on guitars, Jay Bellerose keeping time on the drums, and Dennis Crouch rocked the upright bass. The stage production, which consisted of white curtains, movie spotlights and several strings of small light bulbs, was understated yet effective, allowing the music to take center stage.
Highlights of the night included their rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” which had fiddles and guitar solos and Robert and Alison’s voices all producing a delightful take on the classic song and it had the audience cheering loudly and singing along.
Another standout moment was “Please Read the Letter,” where Krauss’s fiddle playing and Plant’s raw vocals created a magical atmosphere that echoed throughout the venue.
Watch the official music video for “Please Read the Letter” by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss on YouTube:
The evening’s encore had Robert and Alison returning to the stage for an intimate performance of a trio of songs, “Down to the River to Pray”, “Stick With Me Baby” and “Gone, Gone, Gone”. It was a wonderful night where the two legends reminded us why they are icons of their genres, and why the magic they create when performing together, continues to be celebrated by their fans old and new.
Setlist
1. Rich Woman – (Li’l Millet and His Creoles cover)
2. Fortune Teller – (Benny Spellman cover)
3. Can’t Let Go – (Randy Weeks cover)
4. The Price of Love – (The Everly Brothers cover)
5. Rock and Roll – (Led Zeppelin cover)
6. Please Read the Letter – (Jimmy Page & Robert Plant cover)
7. High and Lonesome
8. Last Kind Words Blues – (Geeshie Wiley cover)
9. You Led Me to the Wrong – (Ola Belle Reed cover)
10. Trouble With My Lover – (Allen Toussaint and Leo Nocentelli cover)
11. In the Mood / Matty Groves / Gallows Pole
12. The Battle of Evermore – (Led Zeppelin cover)
13. When the Levee Breaks – (Memphis Minnie & Kansas Joe McCoy cover)
Encore
14. Down to the River to Pray
15. Stick With Me Baby – (The Everly Brothers cover)
16. Gone Gone Gone – (The Everly Brothers cover)
Band Members:
Robert Plant: Vocals
Alison Krauss: Vocals/Fiddle
JD McPherson: Guitar
Jay Bellerose: Drums
Dennis Crouch: Upright Bass
Viktor Krauss: Guitar
Here are some photos of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss performing at Wolf Trap on June 18, 2024. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Michael Sprouse.