Robert Plant

Manchester Apollo

Sunday 20 October 2002

This was the most shamefaced self indulgent pile of shit it is possible to imagine. Robert Plant is one of the most seminal influences on rock music, not to mention being one of the most talented vocalists, but you wouldn’t have known it from this performance. He made no concessions to incipient old age, coming on stage in his old Led Zeppelin outfit and with his hair as long as ever, but unlike Ian Gillan, looked every bit his age and was frequently looking like he needed a Zimmer frame, if not an oxygen tank. I could have put up with all of this if it wasn't for the fact that the song selection was so awful, after all, it isn't very often that you see one of your all time heroes. It really was the songs that were the problem. In preparation I had thoroughly listened to his new album, which is a collection of old blues tracks. I hadn't liked it much, but didn't expect it to dominate the evening as much as it did; the songs are just poor and should have been left dead and buried. A few Led Zeppelin tracks were played and the crowd did perk up a bit, but we were all semi comatose by then anyway. The playing from the band was average and the volume distinctly on the quiet side. Much better was the support act, Arthur Brown. Three things sum up the evening: the joss sticks burning on stage throughout Plant's performance, the audience sitting down stoically all night, and Plant being quite rude at people shouting requests. The most disappointing concert I have been to yet, but still glad to have gone as it is the only time I will probably see one of the all time greats. (15.10.03)