6 things we loved about Robert Plant at 6 Music Live
A week of extraordinary performances culminated in an amazing show by , the singer with legendary rockers Led Zeppelin. Backed by his band the Sensational Space Shifters, they played a storming set we won't be forgetting in a hurry. Here are 6 things we loved about his performance:
1. Whole Lotta Love
Robert ended his set with Led Zeppelin classic 'Whole Lotta Love' (famously covered and used as the Top of the Pops theme in the 1970s). One of four Led Zep tracks he treated the audience to, he whipped everyone up into a frenzy as those iconic guitars kicked in. Telling Lauren about his decision to work Led Zeppelin tracks into his live set he said: “History… it’s all relative to how exciting things are when you’re playing. I was determined to create a couple of albums before I would go back on anything I had co-written”
Robert Plant - Whole Lotta Love (6 Music Live 2017)
The Led Zeppelin classic performed live at Maida Vale.
2. Seth Lakeman joined him on stage
Writing the new album took Robert to India, Morocco and the United States, working with the likes Alison Krauss, Patty Griffin and Steve Earle along the way. Closer to home, Folk music star Seth Lakeman joined him on stage as one of the Sensational Space Shifters. Like lightning on the violin, Seth will be joining Robert Plant on his upcoming UK tour.
"Seth鈥檚 been on our radar a long time"
Robert Plant talks how he came to work with Seth Lakeman.
3. He told us about his new album Carry Fire...
Robert Plant's 11th studio album 'Carry Fire' is released on the 13th October. He told us the record is about "life's rich pageant. The life that you lead, you have to put a lot of power and force and passion into it. And that's what we do... it's a big beautiful journey."
"We've taken psychedelia to a new place" - Lauren Laverne talks to Robert Plant at 6 Music Live
6 Music hosts rock royalty in the last of this week's 6 Music Live sessions.
4. 鈥nd showcased a selection of his new tracks
We were given a sneak peek of four new tracks from the record, including the first ever play of 'New World'. He also performed the album's title track 'Carry Fire' - given an Eastern feel by Seth's frantic strings and the rest of the band's hurried playing.
Robert Plant - Carry Fire (6 Music Live 2017)
Robert Plant with the Sensational Space Shifters
5. His Wit
Robert was on form and excited to play an hour of new material and old classics, cracking a joke at every opportunity. When interviewed by Lauren Laverne, his answers were all very tongue-in-cheek, especially when asked whether he would publish an autobiography on his life. Robert joked "Why would anybody? Can't you just leave it all hidden by the 6 or 7 brain-cells you've still got left?".
6. His story about singing with Elvis
Before his performance, Robert joined Lauren Laverne for a special edition of . They talked about some of his musical influences and one record in particular - Elvis Presley's 'Love Me' - had an extraordinary story behind it. After watching an Elvis show in LA with the rest of Led Zeppelin, they were invited backstage and spent three hours talking to 'The King' himself. When he found out that Robert soundchecked by singing 'Love Me' they both launched into an impromptu duet. It was a bit "pub-singers without a bar" but "he was brilliant!"
"(Elvis) sent for us, so we ended up with him in his hotel suite" - Robert Plant on the music that's meaningful to him
The former Led Zeppelin star chats to Lauren Laverne about his Memory Tapes.
Robert Plant at 6 Music Live in 30 Seconds
Watch highlights from Robert Plant's 6 Music Live 2017 performance
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See the final performance of 6 Music Live 2017.
