 Tom Petty |
 Chris Robinson |
 The Heartbreakers |
Story and photos by Matt Schwenke
With the Robinson brothers back at it again, the Marcus Amphitheater filled up earlier than usual as Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers fans also seem to love the Black Crowes. With a vintage rock sound that is heavier and more abrasive than Petty and crew, The Black Crowes quickly heated up the Friday night along the lake with extended jams and sharp vocals. The show featured an animated Chris Robinson throughout, and the energy was infectious in the rockabilly of "Shake Your Money Maker" and in the pure rock of "Jealous Again" and "Remedy."Changing things up a bit, a wandering feedback opening to "No Speak No Slave" provided a good contrast to the aforementioned tunes.
After the Black Crowes had pumped a significant buzz of energy into the crowd, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers took the stage to a well-primed audience. The self-described and easily verifiable "King of Milwaukee" was all smiles as he strolled around the stage, pausing often to take a look at the full house. With thirty-some years of touring under his belt, questions of motivation and the ability to perform were quickly put to rest as the band opened with "Listen To Her Heart" followed by "You Don't Know How It Feels." While the oldies but goodies dominated the setlist, Petty mixed it up by playing "Handle With Care," a tune form the Travelin' Wilburys, and the yet-to-be released "Turn This Car Around," a tune in the classic structure and persona of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Shining brightly whenever their expertise were called upon, the Heartbreakers helped Petty push the crowd into a frenzy as they ended their set with "Runnin' Down A Dream." Starting the encore the way they ended the regular set, "You Wreck Me" was as powerful as ever. Dylan's "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" had the crowd nearly out-powering Petty in the vocal department, and few didn't sing along to the night-ending "American Girl." The King of Milwaukee, indeed.
Petty's Setlist:
Listen To Her Heart
You Don't Know How It Feels
Breakdown
Free Fallin'
Turn This Car Around
I Won't Back Down
Mary Jane's Last Dance
I'm Cryin'
Handle With Care
Crawlin' Back To You
It'll All Work Out
Wildflowers
Melinda
Learnin' To Fly
Don't Come Around Here No More
Refugee
Runnin' Down A Dream
Encore: You Wreck Me
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
American Girl
Tom Petty
Chris Robinson
Tom Petty
Chris Robinson
Black Crowes
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