The much-admired Southern rock and blues ensemble didn’t disappoint more than 10,000 fans who cheered Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks and crew, as well as opener Alabama Shakes. Review, photos.
Magical Collaboration: Brittany Howard on stage with the Tedeschi Trucks Band Tuesday night. (Photo/Steve Baran)
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It’s hard to imagine — actually near impossible — to imagine a more talented and impressive bunch than the Tedeschi Trucks Band.
The proof was in the pudding Tuesday night at Grand Rapids’ Acrisure Amphitheater when the Southern rock and blues band led by singer-guitarist Susan Tedeschi and guitar whiz Derek Trucks lit up more than 10,000 fans with a memory-making display of soul, instrumental prowess and upbeat musical wizardry.
The 12-member ensemble even brought singer Brittany Howard and members of opening act the Alabama Shakes on board during the second half of its set to unleash delightful renditions of Sly & The Family Stone’s “You Can Make It If You Try” and “Everyday People” to further electrify a crowd that already was firmly in the grasp of TTB’s uplifting and infectious milieu.
Even before Tedeschi, Trucks and company hit the stage, video screens invited fans “to stand and dance” during their set, and by the end of the night, the crowd complied in enthusiastic fashion.
‘Take Me As I Am’: Susan Tedeschi (Photo/John Sinkevics)
What other band can rev up an audience with a trombone solo of all things (courtesy of band member Elizabeth Lea), along with frequent, eye-popping slide-guitar solos from Trucks, who has few rivals when it comes to tasty leads.
Tedeschi, whose voice was in top-shelf form on Tuesday, boasted plenty of guitar prowess of her own during the “Future Soul” tour stop, while giving way vocally at times to the band’s stellar backing singers.
With extended romps and top-shelf solos that frequently spotlighted Trucks and keyboardist Gabe Dixon, the Tedeschi Trucks Band turned most of its song selections into epic expeditions, starting with set opener “Hear My Dear” and continuing through “Got My Mo-Jo Working (But It Just Won’t Work on You),” “I Got You” (from the group’s latest album, “Future Soul”), “I Feel So Bad,” “Midnight in Harlem” and a cover of The Allman Brothers Band’s “Stand Back.” (View the full set list here.)
“It’s a lot of fun isn’t it?” Tedeschi asked at one point, knowing full well the answer from a smitten crowd.
The Alabama Shakes opened the night with a dreamy, soulful vibe that permeated the band’s 16-song set — a performance that kicked off with “Time” and included their most enduring hits: “Hold On,” “Don’t Wanna Fight” and “Always Alright.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Tedeschi Trucks Band, Alabama Shakes at Acrisure Amphitheater
Photos by Steve Baran and John Sinkevics
