Blitzen Trapper, Dawes and Belle Brigade rocked the Royale Friday night in Boston. The show had the feel of a classic-rock throwback session—we even heard some Zeppelin before the night was over. The audience was engrossed when Dawes came on. Lead singer and guitarist Taylor Goldsmith rocked his way through powerful guitar solos and punchy drum beats. His vocals even approached the realm of soul a few times during the performance. Dawes commanded enough of the audience's attention, which seemed to be rife with long-time fans who knew all the words, to be their own act.

That's not to say Blitzen Trapper didn't bring thunder to the stage. They opened with "Might Find it Cheap," off American Goldwing, released in September. They weren't thrifty on playing tunes from Furr, much to the pleasure of the audience. They powered through Sleepytime in the Western World for their second song, and lead singer Eric Earley invited everyone to sing along before playing "Furr."

With all the guitar solos, finger tapping, and floor-pounding drumbeats, it's hard to believe the chandeliers hanging above the dance floor didnt come crashing down. The set list was crafted with a powerhouse rock show in mind. Fortunately, this didn't mean overkill extended guitar solos, as Blitzen Trapper chose to play it close to the studio. This didn't stop them from closing out with their homage to classic rock, covering Zeppelin's "Good Times Bad Times." It was hardly a surprise. Between the number of fans wearing Zeppelin shirts, lead guitarist Erik Manteer's Les Paul, and Earley's Gibson SG, we all knew it was only a matter time before a Zep tune made a cameo. Check out some pictures and the set list below.




Set:

Might Find It Cheap
Sleepytime in the Western World
Astronaut
Wild Mountain Nation
Love the Way You Walk Away
God & Suicide
Girl in a Coat
Furr
My Home Town
Your Crying Eyes
Miss Spiritual Tramp
Black River Killer
Taking it Too Easy Too Long
American Goldwing
Street Fighting Sun
Fletcher

(Encore)
Stranger in a Strange Land
Jericho
Big Black Bird
Good Times Bad Times (Led Zeppelin cover)