Legendary rock singer Robert Plant and bluegrass sensation Alison Krauss are teaming up for a highly anticipated tour this year. Their unique blend of rock, blues, folk, and bluegrass is sure to delight fans across the country. But before Plant and Krauss take the stage each night, audiences will be treated to an opening set by some fantastic up-and-coming artists. So who exactly is opening up for this powerhouse duo? Let’s take a closer look at the talented musicians who will be kicking off the show each night.
Larkin Poe
Kicking off most of the tour dates are Larkin Poe, a Nashville-based roots rock duo made up of sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell. Larkin Poe have been building a strong following in recent years with their high energy shows and unique blend of southern rock, blues, and roots music. Their 2018 album Venom & Faith was nominated for a Grammy, putting them firmly on the radar of music fans.
The Lovell sisters provide the perfect high-powered opening set to get the crowd energized for Plant and Krauss. Their edgy vocals, shredding guitar riffs, and thumping drums are certain to delight fans. If you’re not already familiar with Larkin Poe, be sure to check them out as they whip the audience into a frenzy to start the show.
Robert Francis
Joining the tour for a handful of West Coast dates is LA-based singer-songwriter Robert Francis. Francis got his start in 2012 with his major label debut album Before Nightfall, earning comparisons to Tom Petty and Bob Dylan. His music blends elements of rock, country, and indie pop, anchored by his raspy vocals and skilled guitar work.
Francis has opened for acts like The Lumineers and Jason Mraz in the past, making him well suited for warming up the stage at a Plant/Krauss show. His laidback California vibe and heartfelt, introspective songs should resonate nicely with fans. This will be a great opportunity to become acquainted with Robert Francis’ music ahead of his next album, due out later this year.
Charley Crockett
Bringing his unique brand of Gulf and Texas blues to the tour, Charley Crockett will be joining the bill for the Texas dates. Crockett has been steadily winning over fans in recent years with his vintage blues sound inspired by the likes of Fats Domino and Amos Milburn. He’s also mixed in influences from classic country and Americana roots music.
Born in San Benito, Texas, Crockett is sure to feel right at home belting out his soulful, southern-fried tunes in front of Lone Star State audiences. His 2017 breakthrough album Lonesome as a Shadow put him on the map, reaching #1 on the Billboard blues chart. Crockett’s high-energy live sets are the perfect primer for the masterful musical night ahead from Plant and Krauss.
JD McPherson
Oklahoma native JD McPherson will warm up the crowd with his retro-inspired rock and R&B sounds at several Midwest tour stops. McPherson first broke through with his 2010 album Signs & Signifiers, which showcased his throwback musical style reminiscent of the 1950s. However, he also throws in elements of soul, punk, and country to create his own unique blend.
McPherson’s high-octane shows have earned him opening slots for acts like Eric Church, Lake Street Dive, and Robert Cray. His infectious energy and hooks are certain to get audiences on their feet and ready for a rocking good time. Plant and Krauss fans with an appreciation for vintage rock and old school rhythm and blues will definitely want to show up early to catch JD McPherson’s opening set.
Jade Jackson
Up-and-coming alt-country singer Jade Jackson will provide support on the West Coast leg of the tour. Hailing from Los Angeles, Jackson got her start playing around California’s Central Coast before releasing her debut album Gilded in 2017. Her music incorporates elements of dusty Americana, gothic folk, punk, and outlaw country.
Jackson’s powerful, flexible vocals have earned comparisons to music greats like Stevie Nicks and Lucinda Williams. She’s earned opening slots for acts like Jamey Johnson, Dwight Yoakam, and Tanya Tucker. Jackson’s blend of raw emotion, haunting melodies, and rebellious attitude should energize the crowd for Plant and Krauss. Make sure to show up on time to see this rising talent in the flesh.
talented musicians will be kicking off the show each night
In addition to the aforementioned artists, the tour will feature other emerging acts in various markets:
| Date | City | Opener |
|---|---|---|
| March 1 | Miami, FL | The Commonheart |
| March 3 | Orlando, FL | Reina del Cid |
| March 5 | Charlotte, NC | Dailey & Vincent |
| March 8 | Pittsburgh, PA | Jade Bird |
| March 15 | Toronto, ON | Terra Lightfoot |
| April 2 | Seattle, WA | Ayron Jones |
| April 4 | Portland, OR | Molly Tuttle |
| April 9 | Indio, CA | Nikki Lane |
This tour clearly features some incredible up-and-coming talent across a variety of genres like rock, country, folk, blues, and soul. Music fans would be remiss not to catch these opening sets and discover their next favorite act. It’s an amazing opportunity to see these rising stars in action before they hit the big time.
What to Expect from the Openers
While the specific styles vary between all the different openers, there are some common threads that connect them all to Robert Plant and Alison Krauss:
- Vintage influences – Several artists like JD McPherson, Charley Crockett, and Larkin Poe incorporate vintage sounds from the first half of the 20th century like blues, R&B, folk, and country in their music.
- High energy – You can expect spirited, lively performances from all of the openers to get audiences pumped up for the headliners.
- Emphasis on musicianship – Despite their relatively fresh careers, these openers are serious musicians with outstanding vocals, guitar skills, and songcraft.
- Genre-blending approaches – Artists like Robert Francis, Jade Jackson, and Larkin Poe refuse to be pigeonholed, seamlessly blending rock, country, soul and other genres.
- Retro-modern style – While these acts bring vintage sounds into their music, they refresh it with modern sensibilities to create a timeless yet current vibe.
Fans can anticipate an excellent sampling of today’s emerging roots, Americana, blues, soul, and rock music when they take in one of these opening sets. It will be the perfect musical appetizer before Plant and Krauss take over with the main course.
Why These Openers are a Great Fit
Krauss and Plant themselves are well known for their willingness to explore beyond the expected parameters of their respective genres. So it’s only appropriate for them to bring along fresh opening acts who similarly defy expectations and labels. Tour promoter Brian Packer explains:
“Alison and Robert have always been highly collaborative artists who think outside the box. We wanted to find openers that would complement that spirit while giving their fans an exciting new discovery.”
Beyond aligning with Krauss and Plant’s artistry, the selected openers also connect directly with each headliner’s musical styles and history:
- Several artists represent the folk/roots music worlds that Alison Krauss emerged from as a bluegrass prodigy.
- Some openers channel the early blues rock and R&B that was foundational to Robert Plant’s start with Led Zeppelin.
- A few directly cite Plant/Krauss as musical influences on their more recent work.
- Performers like JD McPherson and Charley Crockett are part of indie label New West Records’ roster, which has strong ties to Plant and Krauss.
Ultimately these up-and-comers were chosen because they occupy a similar musical space as the two headliners, while bringing their own contemporary flair. Fans can expect the openers to complement and enhance the night’s overall experience.
The Bottom Line
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss have put together an amazing collection of rising talent to kick off each night on their upcoming tour. Music lovers would be crazy to miss out on these opening performances featuring Americana, rock, soul, blues, R&B, and folk stylings. Arriving early will reward audiences with discovery of great new artists to accompany the legendary Krauss and Plant. So don’t be late – get there in time to soak in the full experience!
