Greta-Van-Fleet-Photo-credit-John-Kosiewicz

On the heels of their recent announcement of four Grammy Award nominations (Best New Artist, Best Rock Song for “Black Smoke Rising,” Best Rock Performance for “Highway Tune,” and Best Rock Album for the band’s double EP, From The Fires (Lava Records/ Republic Records), Greta Van Fleet returned to Chicago for three electrifying sold out shows at the Aragon Ballroom. The young rock’n’roll band from Frankenmuth, Michigan, consists of four musicians – twin brothers Josh on vocals and Jake Kiszka on guitar (both 22), along with younger brother Sam (19) on bass and keys, and longtime family friend Danny Wagner (19) on drums. The band made their national debut on March 31, 2017 with the release of the “Highway Tune” music video.  Just over two months later, Front Row Music New was the only publication to catch their first performance in Chicago at the Chicago RibFest on June 7, 2017.  Less than two years later, Greta Van Fleet sold out three nights at the Aragon Ballroom (with capacity 5000) in Chicago and we were there to cover night one on December 12, 2018. 

Despite the Wednesday work week/school night, the line outside led for blocks as all ages showed up early to get a great spot for the show. Rumor had it that after the opening act, The New Respects, and before Greta Van Fleet started, the line was still 4 blocks long to get in the venue.  As the four silhouettes strolled on stage of the Aragon ballroom, the audience of the sold-out night 1 screamed and cheered with excitement.  Although it was only about 10 minutes, Josh Kiszka was quick to apologize for the late start (which somewhat confirmed the line outside). “Good evening… Sorry it took us so long to get out here. Honestly, we had to fit everyone in the building. They’re still coming in.”  With a quick guitar solo by Jake Kiszka, the approximately hour and forty-five minute rock n roll extravaganza had started.

With the recent release of their debut studio album Anthem of the Peaceful Army on October 19^th, along with their double EP From the Fires, they were geared with a great arsenal of songs.  The set list included a good combination of songs from the new album, as well as the fan favorites from the eps, along with some cover to surprise everyone.  With the a mix of young and older fans in the audience, the band kept everyone was rockin’ out all night long.  Despite the set list only shows 12 songs total, the jams, intros and outros extended most songs giving the feel they were playing twice as many songs.  Fans left the show excited to say they had seen one of the great new rock and roll bands early in their career.  

Hopefully, we’ll see them back in Chicago soon. As in the words of Roy Scheider, who played Brody in the movie, Jaws, “Looks like we’ll need a bigger boat,” replacing boat with venue. Can we recommend Allstate Arena, United Center or maybe soon, Soldier Field?

Be sure to keep up with the latest information and tour dates at: GretaVanFleet.com.

Greta Van Fleet setlist
Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL
December 12, 2018

The Cold Wind (With Intro Jam)
Safari Song
Black Smoke Rising
Flower Power (“Watch Me” outro)
You’re the One (“Music Is You” intro)
When the Curtain Falls
Candle in the Wind (Melanie cover)
Watching Over
Edge of Darkness

Encore:
Lover, Leaver (Taker, Believer) (Including “Brave New World”)
Highway Tune (End Jam “Taker Believer”)
Rollin’ and Tumblin’ (Muddy Waters cover)