I have a strange relationship with classic rock. Growing up, my parents were more into oldies (early Beatles, Chuck Berry) than Led Zeppelin or later Beatles. In college, my indie snobbery was in full swing and I rejected the arena rockers of the 70's and 80's more just because than for any real reason. As I got older, the snobbery (somewhat) faded, and I began to allow myself to enjoy artists I previously despised like Bruce Springsteen. As far as Heart went, all I really knew was their "All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You" from my childhood, but one day the opening riff to "Barracuda" worked its way past my defenses, and they became one of my bucket list bands.
Sunday night, Heart played Agannis Arena in Boston, and while I passionately hate arena shows, they've been doing this for over fifty years and I don't think they can put on a bad show. Ann Wilson was performing in a wheelchair due to an injury, but at seventy-four she still has that voice. And what a voice it is. Her voice does have age to it, but it's adding a new layer to her performance. Blues based songs always sound better with with a little age in the vocals. Songs like "Magic Man" and "These Dreams" were absolutely amazing live. With all the deserved hubbub about "Barracuda," it's easy to forget just how many great songs Heart has had over their career, but Sunday night was hit after hit after hit, with just enough B-sides to keep the set interesting for everyone.
Nancy Wilson also had plenty of time to shine. The band did a brief three song set in the middle of the show that had everyone pull in together at the center of the stage and play mostly acoustic, which included a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Going to California." After that, Nancy was left alone on stage to perform her solo instrumental tribute to Eddie Van Halen, "4 Edward." It takes some amazing talent to keep ten thousand people's attention with an acoustic instrumental song, and Nancy Wilson has that talent.
Closing the main set with the epic "What About Love," Ann Wilson said goodnight to everyone, but the band lingered on the stage. Not leaving for the encore is rare, but Heart can do whatever they want at this point. Heart broke out another Led Zeppelin track, "The Ocean," before breaking into the obvious closer of "Barracuda." It took me decades to finally hear that riff live, and it did not disappoint.
Lucinda Williams opened the show, who I discovered opening for Neil Young back in 2003. She stuck to her more rock based songs, playing such classics as "Baby, Please Don't Go" and "Drunken Angel." She also broke out her version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" from her recent Beatles covers album. She sounded great, much better than when I saw her at the Paradise in 2018, but did have to battle an excessively chatty crowd throughout. She did close with "Joy," one of the best set closers in the business, which finally did seem to quiet down those in the crowd there to socialize.
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