Once upon a time, in the year 2012 a band was formed in Frankenmuth, Michigan.
The band, Greta Van Fleet (GVF), made its indelible mark in the world of rock & roll in 2017 with the release of their first single 'Highway Tune'. It sure hooked me into their sound. Last night (21 August) at The Fortitude Music Hall GVF brought their Star Catcher world tour to Brisbane. Outside the venue, kindred rockers are lining down the block to experience this sell-out show by the originating trio of brothers: twins Josh Kiszka (vocals) and Jake Kiszka (guitar), younger brother Sam Kiszka (bass), and their good buddy Danny Wagner (drums).
GVF fans are frothing to drink from the sonic cocktail of heavy rock and hard blues-rocking tunes artfully infused with a myriad of antique, vintage and classic-sounding rock, blues and folk influences.
The stage looks cluttered under dim blue lights. The fog machine is already cranking. Pretty much bang on 7:45pm support act The Velveteers take over the stage – in front of the black draped stage set and equip ready for the headliners.
They absolutely rip into their set with 'All These Little Things'. Holy sh.t Batman! Who are this trio? Freaking infectious! I'm contaminated with excitement and the crowd are straight into it.
Demi Demitro (vocals, guitar) turns up to sultry for 'When I See Your Face' as Baby Pottersmith (drums, tambourine) leaves Jonny Fig (keys, drums) to man the drums while Pottersmith pumps up crowd.
Pottersmith gets a bottle of water and showers security, photographers and some fans on the barrier. Water even makes its ways onto the drums to be forced up into the air in droplets as the sticks beat down on the tubs.
The Velveteers - image © Clea-marie Thorne
After three songs, my mate is already telling me he's impressed and asks if it is possible that Sonic Youth and Kyuss have had a love child? If bands could have babies. . . then maybe The Velveteers could be that baby.
The Velveteers are high energy and keep it super tight while having loads of fun churning out more songs including 'Choking' that has Pottersmith and Fig doing more duo drums and 'Moonchild' – their set is going to end way too soon for my liking.
I am really digging Demitro's mix of vulnerability and commanding, passionate vocals, paired with thoughtful and sharply observed lyrics, which distinguishes The Velveteers from other bands rooted in the classic rock revival. Pottersmith and Fig drive the momentum with their polyrhythmic beats, giving the music a strong, dynamic foundation that elevates the performance to emotional peaks.
Pottersmith must have ants in their pants! Not only to run around onstage, smash the hell out of a kit and climb all over it, they take a single drum to the punters on the barrier and at the feet of Demitro! All eyes are on that stage!
The Velveteers - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Like I predicted, all too soon we are getting a huge thanks for welcoming them before they close out with their final song. I believe this is The Velveteers first time touring Australia and hope it's definitely not their last time dishing up their raunchy, raging rock & roll delights.
The orchestral sounds of the 'Starcatcher Overture' prep us for the headliners, and it is the sweet sounds of the strings that lifts our excitement to new heights. One by one, the band move on to the darkened stage as they each look out and observe the packed house before them before congregating together behind Wagner and his kit.
Maybe this is a ritual psyche thing and the starting point to take into 'The Falling Sky', the lead song of the set and Josh seems to have taken the reins from the instrumental high notes hit by the violins in their overture and then some. That is until he reassigns his breath to pump out some notes through the mouth harp.
Greta Van Fleet - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Vocally however, I have no doubt he's going to deliver live what we have become accustomed to on their recordings. Sam is quick to take off his loafers and play barefoot al while still thumping out his basslines.
I can imagine him right at home at Woodstock: No shirt, no shoes, long tresses in a blissful states amidst the music. Although the red suit with sparkly embellishments he wears tonight may be a little out of place in that scene, but you get my drift.
As the band shifts through 'The Indigo Streak' with Sam hitting the keys after thrumping on the bass (and even two handed across two boards), it's followed by 'Caravel' – Josh's vocals are well and truly warmed up now as his voice ricochets off the floor, walls and I swear he's even making the shiny crystals on the FMH grand chandeliers quiver.
Greta Van Fleet - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Twin bro Jake is matching his high notes with his axe – it's almost a call and response scenario. By now, you cannot help but notice how their stage design works, the wardrobe and stage theatrics of GVF band members creating a truly immersive experience.
From their album 'The Battle At Garden's Gate' (2021), 'Heat Above' makes a grand but elegant start and I want to bop the tipsy chatter-boxes next to me on the head with a soggy fish! Another from their debut EP, 'Black Smoke Rising', and included on their second EP is the familiar sounds of 'Highway Tune'. This is the first song written by the band and their former drummer Kyle Hauck.
It really was their breakout hit and still a fan favourite, its raw, high-energy rocking the venue, the crowd singing the anthem super loud! It's another song that transports you to the late '60s and '70s. It's so real you can taste how fresh this flavour was back then. No wonder there is a smattering of flares, psychedelic prints, and wild eyeshadow being rocked by punters tonight. Dressed for the music.
Image © Clea-marie Thorne
On the note of fashion, Josh just can't decide what he wants to wear tonight! I'm up to four changes and I bet your bottom dollar there'll be more. 'Highway Tune' sees solos galore! GVF are absolutely nailing it tonight. Their sound is loud and remains sharp, every vocal and instrumental note is being dialled in with crisp precision or gritty intention.
Not leaving us with the tease of solos. Oh no! Wagner's drumming has shone through as powerfully passionate up to this moment and the band are now stepping back to let him loose.
It takes him a bit to build into the intensity of his style and showcase his creative technical chops. His energy punches beats about our ears and his bass-drum kicks are resonating in my solar plexus so hard it is almost knocking the wind out of me. I'm in absolute awe; I can vouch that in this fairytale, a drummer named Wagner is just the right one for the brothers Kiszka to complete GVF.
Time for some classic gateway GVF rock! 'Black Smoke Rising'. From the onset of the riff-heavy intro the power surges from the instruments while Josh Kiszka's vocal clouts our ears above the pummelled drums and thumping bassline of Wagner and Sam, but spreads like molten honey over the retro, gritty, rocking riffs executed by Jake who is a powerhouse with speedy fingers on the axe.
Greta Van Fleet - image © Clea-marie Thorne
GVF are sure bringing the live vibe of '60s and '70s rock legends into the now to cohabitate with their distinctive brand of rock & roll flair. This song in particular is an undeniable homage to early heavy rock bands that have influenced and inspired them from a tender age.
'Age Of Machine' and 'The Archer' round out the set and these two also highlight Josh's vocal range that we've experienced tonight. His control is spellbinding if not a little supernatural in relation to his sustainment of notes for durations that would make your face turn purple.
As a whole, they bring a well-rehearsed yet spontaneous jam lending to moments of unpredictable improv that keeps it fresh for fans and no doubt the band too. I bet that's how they stave off the crusty feels of doing a rinse and repeat of tour songs.
We call for our encore and we get two more songs to meet our demands. 'Light My Love' that has fans swooning and rocking arms and making finger hearts towards the band. The lighting changes to rainbow colours here and there and I see yet another change of clothing for Josh – that's got to be six for him now? Anyone?
Josh tells us they are ending on an aptly title song as he doesn't like goodbyes and says if they had the choice they would be here until the sun comes up. I believe them. It's of course, 'Farewell For Now'.
Greta Van Fleet - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Jake and Josh come together at the front of the stage during parts of this song and it looks like genuine brotherly love. A love for each other and the band, a love for what they do and a love their fans.
Huge cheers that have been given all night get even louder as they get their farewell applause. It's rock theatrics done bloody well – a banger show that has seen us rocking out to one heck of a live music experience.
More photos from the concert.
