Influential Beginnings
Led Zeppelin was formed in 1968 in London, England by guitarist Jimmy Page, vocalist Robert Plant, drummer John Bonham and bassist John Paul Jones. Their unique blues, jazz, and folk-infused hard rock sound would go on to influence generations of aspiring musicians, spawning a plethora of cover versions and modern-day homages alike. Having sold over 200 million albums, they are one of the best-selling musical acts of all time; it is no surprise that their concerts are so highly sought after and often sell out within minutes.
The Reunion
Since 2008, rumours of a possible Led Zeppelin reunion tour have been circulating; this was confirmed in early 2018 when the band announced an one-off show at the 02 Arena in London. Anticipation was high, and tickets sold out in an impressive sixteen minutes. Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones all attended, although sadly, drummer John Bonham had passed away in 1980 and was replaced for the show by his son Jason Bonham. The performance received a rapturous response from fans, who were overjoyed to witness the band’s first reunion in almost three decades. This gave fans hope of a full-blown world tour; though with no official announcement, many began to wonder if this would ever come to fruition.
The Speculation
Talks of a tour continued in the months that proceeded the show at the 02, with former manager Peter Grant’s daughter insisting the band were “taking it slow” with any further plans. Plant affirmed this in an interview with Mojo magazine, claiming no progress had been made since their initial show in 2018. However, he did add that a full tour was a possibility, although nothing had been scheduled at that point. This did not dissuade fans from holding on to hope that the legendary band would hit the road once again, and positivity was reignited when John Paul Jones spoke about the possibility of a Led Zeppelin tour during an interview at the Grammy Awards in 2020.
The Reality
In May 2021, Led Zeppelin finally laid the speculation to rest when they announced a large-scale tour, due to take place in the summer of 2022. Gigantic demand for tickets was inevitable, and as such, they announced an online lottery offering fans the chance to win tickets; a great way to make sure they had a fair and equal chance of being amongst the privileged few who will get to witness Zeppelin live.
The Demand
Interest in Led Zeppelin, despite being over fifty years old, still shows no signs of slowing. Their influence remains strong today, with many modern musicians citing them as a major influence. The announcement of their upcoming tour has sparked a frenzy among fans, with many eager to obtain tickets by any means necessary; so much so, that many tickets have already been sold on the secondary market for vast sums of money. Such is their popularity, that it appears the beginning stages of the tour could be sold out before general admission tickets even go on sale.
The Legacu of Led Zeppelin
The reverberations of Led Zeppelin’s music, both past and present, can still be felt today. The band’s influence will be taken to a whole new level with their upcoming tour, as a whole new generation of fans get to experience their sound firsthand. As audiences wait with bated breath for the band’s upcoming performances, there is a sense of hopefulness on the horizon – one that is fuelled by the promise of timeless classic rockers taking to the stage once more.
The Set List
While it is still unclear what Led Zeppelin will perform during their tour, fans can rest easy knowing the band will most likely draw from their vast back catalogue. Songs like “Stairway To Heaven”, “Kashmir” and “Whole Lotta Love” quickly became anthems for the band, and have maintained their heroic status to this day. It is likely that the band will perform these hits during their tour, regardless of how much time has passed since their initial release.
The Challenges
An impending tour of this magnitude brings with it an array of challenges for the band. The most pressing of these is the difficulty in creating a set list that appeals to both hardcore and casual listeners alike. Crafting a setlist for a band with such diverse influences and an expansive discography is undoubtedly daunting. Moreover, with expectations held so high, it would be hard to live up to the band’s own legacy. Despite this, the anticipation for a Led Zeppelin tour is at an all time high, and it’s clear that fans are ready to take the ride one more time.
The Preparation
Now that it is confirmed, preparations for the tour are already underway. Despite the enormity of the task, the hardworking crew have already begun to put in the groundwork. Scenic designers are creating a stunning stage production; visual effects are being laid out, and the band’s musical directors are beginning to arrange and rehearse the setlist. All of this combined creates an almost palpable excitement in the air, one that fans of Led Zeppelin are sure to be feeling for months to come.
