Joe Bonamassa Brings a Smokin’ Show to the Greek Theatre

Joe Bonamassa and his stellar band returned to the Greek Theatre and delivered a show stopping set. The venue, celebrating its 95th year, is always a great setting for this band. The intimate yet expansive outdoor setting of the Greek provided an ideal backdrop for the show, its natural acoustics and historic charm elevating every note and creating a truly immersive experience. Kicking off the night with a one-two punch of “Hope You Realize It” with an extended Reese Wynans solo and “Dust Bowl” really set the tone for some amazing music that was to come. The band’s catchy rendition of Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “Twenty Four Hour Blues is always a welcomed addition to the set. “Driving Towards the Daylight” is one of my favorite Bonamassa songs and has a great momentum to it that really sticks with you long after it’s over. Just a handful of songs into the night, the audience was captivated and hanging on every note.

“I Want to Shout About It” and “Pack it Up” both featured solos from Reese Wynans and guitarist, Josh Smith. Smith, a friend, bandmate, and frequent producing partner with Bonamassa, stepped into the spotlight - both literally and figuratively to show the crowd why Bonamassa refers to him as the best guitar player on stage. His phrasing and technique are top notch and he can definitely hold his own on that stage. Bassist, Calvin Turner, was rock solid all night on his pink burst Fodera bass. Laying the foundation for the others to build upon and kept his parts interesting with his melodic playing. Bonamassa’s band is made up of musicians who are the best of the best and it was great seeing them get a chance to showcase their abilities. Backing vocalists Jade MacRae and Dannielle De Andrea were fantastic in adding to and accentuating songs with their vocal stylings. The highlight of the night for me was Joe’s performance during “The Last Matador of Bayonne.” This song, more than anything else in his catalog, showcases not only his otherworldly guitar playing, but also how strong he is as a singer - a fact that doesn’t get brought up enough. The powerful nature of him belting out “I fight on” to a silent, but packed venue really resonated with me and demonstrated how mighty and dynamic that song can be. It should be a setlist staple and has been since it debuted live in 2023.

The thoughtfully curated setlist wrapped up with a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “How Many More Times.” From the moment the band kicked into that opening riff, I knew it was going to be a special rendition. Joe, on a red Fender Telecaster, worked every part of the stage as he connected with the audience and went back and forth with drummer, Lemar Carter. At one point during the song, the band left the stage, allowing Carter to dazzle the crowd with his drum chops on a kit that featured a new added additional kick drum. As the solo was wrapping up, the rest of the band joined as they finished the cover that even the most ardent Zeppelin fan would appreciate. “Mountain Time” served as the closer for the night and was a great send off as the thousands in attendance left with smiles on their faces and unforgettable memories.

There’s something electric about a fiery blues rock show outdoors on a warm summer night in an iconic venue that is really special. This was the first show of the summer tour and based on how great this one was, this is going to be an extrordinary summer for the band and its fans. Joe Bonamassa is a guitar virtuoso and his shows are a masterclass in blues rock performance. His talent is undeniable and his work ethic is unmatched. He has long been considered the best at what he does, and while he won’t admit that, it’s shows like this one that add further validity to that statement. Don’t miss your chance on seeing him live - he’s always on the road.