Where the Bands Are (Robert Plant presenting Saving Grace 11 May 2025, Gothenburg)

It was one of those rare Gothenburg spring evenings where the weather actually cooperates. My friend Ann-Sofie and I met for some food and beer at an Indian restaurant and we could sit outside without freezing our asses off. By the time we walked up to the venue. Konserthuset, for the concert, the sun was still out and the mood was just right for a Sunday concert.

Saving Grace is a band led by Robert Plant with Suzi Dian on vocals plus other excellent musicians: Oli Jefferson (percussion), Tony Kelsey (mandolin, baritone, acoustic guitar), and Matt Worley (banjo, acoustic, baritone guitars, cuatro) and Barney Morse-Brown (cello).

The music mixes folk, gospel, blues and a little bit of rock, and it’s very different from anything I’ve seen Plant do before. If you’re expecting old-school Led Zeppelin, this is something else entirely. It’s low-key and subtle, but just as engaging in its own way.

To be honest, I didn’t have high expectations and after the support act (Christian Kjellvander), which was exceptionally weird and almost slumberous (I could have sworn I heard Ann-Sofie snore in the seat next to me) I was half expecting a long night. However, I was completely drawn in as soon as they started playing. The music had weight without being loud, and the whole band played with precision and feeling.

The chemistry between Robert Plant and Suzi Dian was one of a kind. Their subtle eye contact and timing made it work so smoothly as their voices blended. Dian added a richness that balanced Plant perfectly, and it was not just the two of them, guitarist Tony Worley had a marvellous voice too. His lead on Soul of a Man was a real highlight. Dian also shone on Neil Young’s For the Turnstiles and the song Orphan Girl.

Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while
I think I see my friends coming, riding many a mile

The encore was a real highlight. They did a magical rendition of Gallows Pole that gave the whole room chills, followed by And We Bid You Goodnight, the whole band completely a cappella. It was quiet, simple, and absolutely beautiful. A perfect way to end the evening.

This wasn’t a concert that aimed to blow the roof off. It was thoughtful, grounded, and genuinely captivating. At one point, Plant jokingly referred to the audience as “mature”. He wasn’t wrong, although we did spot a few youngsters with blue hair and Led Zeppelin T-shirts, which added a fun contrast to the sea of white hair Plant must have seen from his viewpoint.

However, the atmosphere suited the music perfectly, and the acoustics in Konserthuset really brought out all the detail in the vocals and instruments. I left feeling relaxed, impressed and, to my surprise, quite moved.

And now, in just a few days, I’m off to Manchester to see Bruce Springsteen, which I know will be… slightly different 😅. More on that next time. Thanks for reading!