Concert Review
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Margo Price
Tuesday August 20, 2024
Artpark Mainstage Theater
Lewiston, NY
Review: Thom Jennings
Photo Credit: David McClister
When we arrived at Artpark’s Mainstage Theatre Tuesday night, my sister and I first noticed the number of tour buses out back. There were five, which should have been expected given that the Tedeschi Trucks Band is a 12-piece unit, and there was also an opening band.
It’s truly remarkable how a group of such magnitude can harmonize so seamlessly, especially when they switch up their repertoire every night. Their camaraderie is evident, as many band members from both groups ended up at an impromptu gig at The Sportsmen’s Tavern the night before the Artpark show.
Soon after I posted pictures of the performance on a local outlet’s Facebook page, someone commented, “Idk if there’s a better live band touring right now.” That’s somewhat subjective, but Tuesday’s show at Artpark made the case that they are certainly at the top of any serious list of the best live bands around.
If there was one song that defined what the band, which started as a marriage of convenience after the group’s namesakes married for love, it was “Keep on Growing.” The Derek and the Dominoes classic has significance because Derek Trucks was named in honor of the group. Susan Tedeschi was born on the release date of the group’s only album, “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.”
TTB’s version may be even better than the original. That may sound blasphemous to some music enthusiasts. Still, plenty of TTB live recordings capture the fervor with which the group performs the classic track.
What’s most inspiring is the band’s continuous growth. There’s an indescribable synergy, especially for a large ensemble. There’s no showiness, no gimmicks, and Derek and Susan are always willing to share the spotlight, giving every member a chance to shine. But it’s never at the expense of the unit as a whole.
There were other great covers, including a unique take on the Prince classic “1999,” with Mike Mattison handling lead vocal duties. On the Santana instrumental classic “Soul Sacrifice,” Trucks put on a guitar clinic, allowing the pair of drummers to let loose while the crowd roared its approval.
The 17-song set included plenty of TTB material, including four songs from “Let Me Get By,” the group’s 2016 release—the most from any of their albums—two from “Revelator,” and two from “I Am the Moon.”
The regular set closed with two great songs, “That Did It,” which featured a powerful vocal performance from Tedeschi and allowed her to showcase some great leads on guitar and a rousing groove-filled version of “Bound for Glory.”
Those fortunate enough to arrive early to catch her performance quickly understood why she was on the current tour. Price did precisely what a good opener should do: She built up a ton of anticipation with a perfectly constructed setlist that peaked on the last few songs, ending with “A Little Pain” from her latest album.
Price eventually joined TTB for the encores, which were a pair of covers. The first was Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right.” Then, her band came onstage to perform the Joe Cocker classic “Let’s Go Get Stoned,” and Price hopped on one of the drum kits.
Before she exited the stage, Tedeschi said, “We always have a great crowd here,” and while she may say that at other venues, it was clear she was sincere. It was a great atmosphere and a great crowd, and fans were mainly in the moment, enjoying a performance from what may be the best live band touring out there. They certainly convinced me.
Set List
Learn How to Love
La Di Da
Anyhow
Crying Over You
Lord Protect My Child (Bob Dylan Cover)
Voodoo Woman (Koko Taylor Cover)
Last Night in the Rain
1999 (Prince Cover)
Keep On Growing (Derek and the Dominoes Cover)
Just as Strange
Chevrolet (Lonnie Young, Ed Young and Lonnie Young Jr. Cover)
I Want More
Soul Sacrifice (Santana Cover)
That Did It (Bobby “Blue Bland Cover)
Bound for Glory
Encore
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (Bob Dylan Cover)
Let’s Go Get Stoned (The Coasters Cover)
