One thing that always serves as a satisfying treat in the WNY area is when Lynyrd Skynyrd comes to town. Playing in front of a sold out crowd at Artpark made the band feel right at home.
The beloved southern roc kers did a little something different this time around and let longtime guitarist Rickey Medlocke handle vocals on “Down South Jukin’” and co vocals on some others. Also something new is Johnny Colt taking over on bass duties from longtime bassist Robert Kearns.
Singer Johnny Van Zant thanked the crowd for their support and even talked about how the band has 3 generations of Skynyrd fans, and they wholeheartedly embrace it! Even though original member Gary Rossington gets lost in the shuffle a bit with the flashier Medlocke or the interactive Van Zant, his presence is what makes the band go. The band feeds off of his energy and playing.
It was nice to see the set list this time mixed up a bit as the B sides “Down South Jukin’ and “Mississippi Kid” were played to the faithful’s delight. Don’t worry, all the classics were covered and of course, what’s a Skynyrd set without ending with one of rocks greatest songs ever recorded in “Freebird.”
Regardless of the various lineups over the years one thing remains consistent: the love and appreciation that the Skynyrd Nation has for the band and the band has for them!
Set List:
Call me the Breeze
What’s Your Name
Gimme Back my Bullets
Down South Jukin’
That Smell
You Got That Right
Saturday Night Special
I Know a Little
Simple Man
Mississippi Kid
Tuesdays Gone
Gimme Three Steps
Sweet Home Alabama
Encore:
Free Bird
We would like to thank Maria Hays for her assistance in helping BackstageAxxess review the show.
