Rock reunion simmers -- then it's boiling point
In many ways, rock's greatest reunion poses an enormous challenge.
Even in a time of high-profile comebacks, Led Zeppelin face expectations befitting three decades of celebration and mythology.
So when a reticent-looking Robert Plant is interrupted by wails of feedback as the band kicks into 'Good Times, Bad Times', one can almost hear a collective intake of breath in the arena. For a moment, it seems that the legend may be too great to bear.
Thankfully, three songs later, the epic 'In My Time of Dying' marks an electrifying step forward: things are slowly beginning to come together.
By the time 'Since I've Been Lovin' You' saunters in, Jimmy Page is clearly enjoying himself, trading lick for lyric as the band positively coast through their back catalogue.
Constellation
It's a journey Robert Plant touches on when he speaks of the "thousands and thousands of emotions" involved in preparing for this one-off performance, before adding that "certain songs have to be done . .. and this is one of them".
On cue, the lights are extinguished, revealing a constellation of bobbing camera phones, all trying to capture the strokes of Page's violin bow launching a carnal 'Dazed and Confused'.
Over the course of two-plus hours, the largely seated stadium has remained surprisingly subdued, but having watched Zeppelin steadily grow into the performance, the audience responds.
Driving them there is Jason Bonham, who proves a natural fit in replacing his late father John on drums, loading a stunning version of 'Kashmir' with a similarly emphatic clangour. Yet it is during the encores of 'Whole Lotta Love' and 'Rock'n'Roll' that the band finally hit full stride, as they rediscover vintage form.
Then the band bid a final goodnight, leaving everyone to imagine what further heights they could have scaled, if only they kept going. No doubt these newly-reunited rock heroes will be wondering the very same thing.
- Cian Traynor
