In the true style of classic rock, last night’s Levon Helm Band performance at Wolf Trap, with special guest moe., was an unbelievable thrill ride of feel good music and jamming along with a distinct crowd. From ages 18 to 80, concert attendees couldn’t help but get up and groove to the beat and dance all night long.
Levon Helm drew a loyal fan base to the Filene Center at Wolf Trap last night, June 9. Photo Credit: Teddy Wolff.
As a jam band moe., has absolutely nailed what the audience wanted and went on to awe the crowd with mind-bending riffs and incredibly complex instrumental solos. With each song, the audience gave more and more of their emotional energy to the performance until a never-ending crowd of dancers rocked on the lawn and throughout the acoustical enhanced Wolf Trap lodge.
With just one hour on stage, moe. tickled his true fans’ fancies and welcomed hard core Helm fans to forget who was following their set and just enjoy their show. Front man Rob Derhak sang and played his heart out, along with fellow band members, Chuck Garvey (guitar, vocals), Al Schnier (guitar, keyboards, vocals), drummer Vinnie Amico and percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Jim Loughlin. The unique combination of sounds moe., arranges is unforgettable, and impossible not to move and groove to.
While countless moe. fans made their presence known, the moment members of the Levon Helm Band walked on stage, you knew who the audience was there to see. For more then two hours, The Band played their way through their top hits and personal favorites. If you weren’t dancing at one point or another during their set, the final number’s standing ovation got you on your feet.
Nearly all of the band members took an opportunity to shine during a solo performance at least once throughout the night. Helm himself wowed the crowd with his soul-moving drum solos. The two female singers, Amy Helm and Teresa Williams, captivated even the most cynical attendee with their crystal clear notes and heartfelt singing.
The evening wouldn’t be complete without one last Levon Helm drum solo and a collaboration of both bands, and boy did they deliver. Not a single fan left the amphitheater before the performance of The Band’s classic “The Weight” and the crowd was reluctant to leave at the end. One of the few times Levon Helm would revisit his former band’s catalog. A few more selections from The Band would have pushed the night over the top. Fans of his former band would have to be satisfied with “Across the Great Divide” and “The Weight.” Overall, the evening was a power packed punch of rock and roll, with a side of jam and an extra large glass of chill.
Levon Helm’s Ramble Tour continues with dates through September across the country. Tour information can be found here. Running time for the concert is about 3 hours 45 minutes with a brief break between the opening act and The Levon Helm Band.
