Greta Van Fleet :: Geese :: Mirador
May 6, 2024
Moody Center, Austin TX
Shot and Written by Grace Davis
Attending a Greta Van Fleet concert is like stepping into a time machine that transports you back to the age of classic rock. The band, known for their electrifying performances and vintage rock sound, creates an atmosphere that's both nostalgic and exhilarating. The stage is set with vintage amplifiers, and the air is buzzing with anticipation. Their fan base was the first thing I found fascinating. The GA pit was mostly filled with teenage girls which I loved to see as someone who grew up only listening to classic rock until I was about fifteen. I found it frustrating only being able to easily relate to older men in my life about the music I liked (and yes, weβre all aware of Robert Plantβs cheeky admiration for the band), so it was beyond refreshing to see so many young women so enthusiastic about the genre.
When the lights dimmed, spotlights illuminated a curtain hanging from the ceiling covering the stage with the STARCATCHER logo printed on it. Suspenseful pad sounds played as lights flashed onto the curtain at an increasing pace before the curtain dropped. From the moment they started playing, Greta Van Fleet's raw talent and infectious energy flooded the arena and brought the crowd together as a family. Lead vocalist Josh Kiszka's powerful voice filled the venue while his brothers Jake (guitar) and Sam (bass) along with drummer Danny Wagner, delivered a tight, high-energy performances that kept the audience on their feet.
Tracks like βHighway Tune,β βSafari Song,β and βHeat Aboveβ ignite the crowd with their catchy riffs and anthemic choruses. Kiszka even introduced the song βThe Archerβ as his "diva song" because of its adventurous, romantic feel. The band played a cover of rhythm and blues Elvis classic βThat's All Rightβ, paying homage to the band's influences. The group also played the longing 1955 ballad βUnchained Melodyβ on their B-stage, providing all sides of the venue to get a good view. But it's not just about the musicβthe concert was a visual wonder, with dynamic lighting, mesmerizing pyrotechnics, and the band's electrifying stage presence keeping each pair of eyes captivated from start to finish. Each one of the members were decked out in jewels, rhinestones, and velvet. Josh Kiszka even had what I counted to be 4 or 5 different outfits to wear, all being stunning, bejeweled, and adhering perfecting to the Starcatcher tour moniker and latest album.
Whether they were shredding guitar solos or engaging with the audience, the band members exude charisma and passion, drawing everyone deeper into the experience. Speaking of engaging with the audience, Kiszka tried his best to entertain every poster brought by fans, reacting and waving to them. He even took shooters on three different occasions with crowd members. Though, while on stage, Josh has a huge presence to match his voice, he made sure his brothers and Danny had plenty of time to display their own talent and skill. Josh would leave the stage several times to allow each of the other members to show off, including solos lasting over 5 minutes each from Danny and Jake.
Throughout the show, there was an undeniable sense of euphoria coursing through the crowd. Fans sing along at the top of their lungs, hands raised in the air swept up in the magic of the music. And when the final chords rang out and the band took their bow, all were left buzzing with adrenaline, memories of an unforgettable night spent in the presence of rock 'n' roll brilliance.
Geese
American rock band Geese performed following Mirador to finish preparing the crowd before GVF. The band hails from Brooklyn, New York and is composed of Dominic DiGesu, Cameron Winter, Max Bassin, and Em Green. They offered a truly uniquely gritty post-punk/jam sound that I believe landed perfectly among the Greta Van Fleet Fans. They made themselves at home on stage making it easy for the crowd to connect with their high energy. I would recommend listening to their songs β3D Countryβ and βMysterious Loveβ. This group will surely make Brooklyn proud as they continue to grow within the industry.
Mirador
The first act of the night was from Mirador, Jake Kiszka's second band, where he is joined by Chris Turpin. While the brand-new group doesn't have any studio recordings to offer yet, this set has me convinced that, when records are released, they will be nothing short of amazing. Fans were thrilled to see Jake on stage before headlining especially because, unlike with GVF, he equally shares vocals with Turpin. Their voices harmonized seamlessly together in nostalgic classic-rock melodies and riffs. I would recommend getting ahead of the wave and listening to the live performances of βRoving Bladeβ and βMust I Go Boundβ while we wait for official releases.
