It was the perfect setting on the perfect evening, to see Mr Plant and his band," The Strange Sensations", run through a set of absolute beauty that took us from North California to the Garden of England ………
We (myself and my brother, Neil and his mate Kev) stood in the middle of a mixed -up crowd (aging hippies, children, weekend warriors) and as 9 o'clock came the band took the stage…they started up a tuneless drone and out wandered Mr Plant himself, to the expected roar. No bother to Percy; he still looks the part at 55.No-one does the Rock God bit better. The drone rose to a crescendo and Plant started into," If I ever get lucky, Baby",…….. The first thing that hits you is that the voice is effortlessly pure and good..All is well with the world when Percy is crooning.
The band are playing the set that they've been playing since the release of "Dreamland". A mixture of Zeppelin and covers and one Plant solo tune (Tall Cool One…dedicated to Elvis) the set is well paced and always engrossing. Plant leads the band into various deep and murky jams that are now their trademark…groove-laden music played by men at the top of their game.
The Zeppelin tunes were greeted by near-euphoria. This was to be expected, but the constant calling for various classics angered Plant, as he made a rather rude hand gesture directed at a guy in front of me who called for "Ten Years Gone". These half-wits should let the man get on with his gig…
They didn't seem to care that he was in obvious pain as Wolves had just been hammered on their joyous return to the top division.
There were highlights on the night, but, to be honest; the whole thing was a great spectacle. In my opinion, Plant is better suited to this type of set-up than the Arena-Rock that comes along with any association with Jimmy Page. The pressure is greater and all the enjoyment seems to be lessened for Plant. This was a better gig than either of the Page/Plant Dublin gigs that I had the pleasure of seeing over the past few years. He just seems so much happier when he can do what he wants……….which brings me back to the highlights.
Early on in the set the band tore through a song by "Love". The Californian folk-rock band of the late '60s…"7+7is…."was absolutely immense. The riff was vicious and Plant attacked the vocal with purpose. It was painfully good, and by way of contrast, the other standout tune was a gentle version of Dylan's "Girl from the North Country". Plant pouring everything into a song that was adapted brilliantly from its original form.
It was a great night, made all the more enjoyable by the relaxed (ahem!) atmosphere
Of the crowd and the fact that it was the final gig of the tour. Percy informed us that they're going into the Studio in three weeks and will have an album out in March.
No new original songs were played here, but the band is great and Percy must have recovered from the writer's block that forced him to record "Dreamland".
His lead guitarist is the guy from that God-awful Britpop band "Cast", the guy probably can't believe his luck!!!!!!!!!!
They finished off with a suitably charged version of "Whole Lotta Love" and we all went home happy. Even the hecklers.
A wise man once told me…."Class is permanent, Form is temporary". Robert Plant is constant proof of that fact. Long may he reign.

DIXIE

SET LIST
If I ever get lucky, baby
Four Sticks
Morning Dew
7+7 is
Going to California
Girl from the North Country
Gallows Pole
Hey Joe
Ramble On
Tall Cool One
Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You
ENCORES
Darkness Darkness
Whole Lotta Love