SeaWorld in Orlando knows how to cater to the music fans – every year for several weekends in the spring they have a festival called Bands, Brew, and BBQ. Self-explanatory so I’ll cut right to the music. Skynyrd played a set one of the even more casual fans may have expected (and it similar to the last few times I’ve seen them). However the early placement of “Call Me The Breeze” (usually its late in the set) really elevated the show. Most classic rockers these days stick to a very similar set year after year focusing on their core 12/15 big hits – and while Skynyrd mainly stuck to the formula it was great to hear “Mississippi Kid”. Lead singer Johnny Van Zant acknowledged that fact by calling out for any “diehard Skynyrd fans in the house?” prior to the song.
There may only be one original member left (Gary Rossington – lead guitar) but the band’s legacy and spirit is carried on by the rest of the lineup. Or to quote Van Zandt, “Filling in for Billy Powell…” as he introduced the band’s current keyboard player.
A 13-minute long Freebird closed the show, that despite the number times you heard the too-long-to-count guitar solo, it still impresses in a live setting.
