No Quarter’s “Robert Plant,” Michael Anderson, shares many snippets of information about Led Zeppelin as they cycle through their albums, which adds a nice touch to the show. He is not a direct replica of Robert Plant; rather, he makes the role and vocals especially his own. He is constantly moving, either behind the microphone or to the side, clicking his fingers and rocking to the music. He starts telling us all the places they have toured down the west coast of the US, which seems a bit corny, but then it all becomes clear when he says they were “Going to California,” and they launch into the soothing opening chords of the song from the Led Zeppelin IV album.
Then the sound goes acoustic for Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, a Celtic-inspired song that was written while Led Zeppelin stayed in a cottage by the name of Bron-Y-Aur in Machynlleth, Wales. It is an intimate moment in the set that feels like being transported to an Irish folk or ‘trad’ gig. Everyone claps and stomps along, as the band play on acoustic guitars and sit on stools. After this, it is back to hard rock and roll.
Byran Christiansen replicates wonderfully the deft fingers and well-rehearsed skill that Jimmy Page’s guitar-playing is famous for. He unleashes the crowd with another awesome visual with a solo in which he plays his electric guitar with a violin bow. Christiansen plays so intensely you can actually see the horse hairs peeling off the bow and onto the floor.
Anderson’s voice is amazing on Stairway to Heaven, which he prefaces as “the most beautiful song ever written.” As he rises to the highest note, I can feel the hairs rising on my arms. Hearing Stairway to Heaven live is undoubtedly a magical experience.
They say goodbye and then play Whole Lotta Love. No Quarter’s answer to Jimmy Page, Brian Christiansen, plays the theremin on this number. The theremin is an electronic stick of an instrument which generates tone with oscillators and requires the performer to move his hand towards and away from the instrument to create a twanging sound like that of an electric guitar hitting its highest notes. If you are confused by that explanation, definitely find a video online, it is very cool to watch!
The band come back for the encore, a thundering rendition of Kashmir from the Physical Graffiti album. The song is an anthem to finish on.
Hailed as “the best Led Zeppelin band on the planet” by Paul McCartney’s producer, Dennis D’Amico, this show is the ultimate Led Zepp experience. I cannot imagine any fan being disappointed in this show, except perhaps that No Quarter cannot possibly play every song people are hoping for! Impressively, they play for two and a half hours, and of course still don’t have the time to play countless huge tracks. No Quarter: Hammer of the Gods is a Led Zeppelin nostalgia-fest, with all the elements needed to honour the greatest rock and roll band in the world.
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