Rarely does the Minneapolis Armory, a typical venue for pop icons and DJ stars, get turned into a temple of blues-rock – But The Tedeschi Trucks Band proved it could be done, serving up a scorching set that left the packed house breathless. The 12-piece powerhouse, led by guitar virtuosos Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, showcased their skills across a 16-song setlist that spanned originals and carefully curated covers only their band could pull off correctly.
The band wasted no time, launching into the propulsive “I Want More,” with Tedeschi’s soulful howl cutting through the air. The band’s sprawling lineup allowed for moments of intimacy and explosive crescendos, evident in the tender “Idle Wind” and the swampy groove of “Anyhow.”
A highlight came early in the set with their cover of Prince’s “1999,” a nod to Minneapolis’ musical legacy that had the crowd jamming along to a 12 bar blues version of the song. Minnesota’s own Mike Mattison’s lead vocals paid homage while the band infused the funk classic with a classic blues style.
The set navigated through emotional peaks and valleys, from the contemplative “Just as Strange” to the raw vulnerability of “Take Me as I Am.” Each song served as a vehicle for jaw-dropping instrumental interplay, with Trucks’ slide guitar work eliciting gasps of awe.
While Derek Trucks is often the focus of the crowd’s attention, drawn to him by his masterful guitar work, Ive often expressed that TTB isnt just Derek Trucks’ backing band, used so that he can show his skills., And previous shows have been proof of this. Tonight however, there did seem to be a bit more of a focus on Derek’s playing than there has been in the past. Most songs had Derek taking expressive solos during percussive jams and blues numbers.
Covers included “Presence of the Lord,” a Blind Faith cover that showcased the band’s ability to breathe new life into classic rock songs lost to time. Two Bob Dylan covers, featuring Margo Price, paid tribute to Minnesota’s most famous musical son. “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” and “Down in the Flood” highlighted the band’s folk and Americana influences, with Price and Tedeschi’s voices blending in sublime harmony.
The sultry “Midnight in Harlem” was cheered on as the drums kicked in after Derek’s improved intro to the song, while before “Gravity” pulled the audience back into TTB’s orbit of thunderous blues. As the night wound down, the band dipped into the Great American Songbook with “How Blue Can You Get?” a fun blues number the whole band performed flawlessly, and capped the main set with the breezy “Idle Wind,”
The encore brought two more covers – Mike Reid’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and Derek and the Dominos’ jam “Keep On Growing” – serving as a fitting bookend to a night that celebrated the vastness of American music TTB can recall flawlessly.
Throughout the show, Trucks and Tedeschi, Husband and wife, traded solos and knowing glances, their musical and marital partnership the bedrock of the 12 piece band. The group is one of the few out there who can move as one organism, with each member given moments to shine. Derek, the band leader that he is, walking slowly over to the horn section or Pianist Gabe Dixon, and bowing his head facing them as they took control of the song for a while.
Tedeschi Trucks Band stands as a light of authentic, soul-stirring music – Their rare Minneapolis performance was a testament to the enduring power of blues, rock, and everything in between when placed in the hands of true masters of their craft.
Opening act Margo Price is far a newcomer to the Americana scene, setting the tone for the evening with a powerful set that showcased not just her veteran status in the industry, but as a bridge between classic country artists, and the outlaw music of today’s Americana artists. Drawing from her own extensive catalog, and as a few choice covers as well, She continued to prove she’s a seasoned artist and one of roots music’s most compelling voices.
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