Intensive Consideration of Live Shows and Related New Music Releases

After solely focusing on recorded works over the last few months here at DaveCromwellWrites, live show coverage is now back in full force. Catching a living legend you grew up listening to is always a must attend. If their tour comes to your town, every effort must be made to experience this incredible music one more time. As is often the case, opening acts provide a source of new, unheard material from musicians you weren’t previously aware of. It all adds up to a wonderful concert experience with both classic and new material providing the soundtrack to it all.

When notification was received that long-revered electric blues virtuoso guitarist Robin Trower was performing nearby on his current US Tour, immediate plans were made to attend.  Having been a life-long fan of his Jimi Hendrix influenced blusey rock, excitement built leading up to the Friday, September 18, 2026 appearance at The Plaza Live in Orlando, Florida.  Rather than recap his lengthy career to the uninitiated here, all that can be found at his Wiki and more thoroughly via Steve Shail’s in depth collection of Robin’s history, his bands, albums and interviews. However, as this is a live review, we now dive in to the show experienced.

Opening the show with the instantly recognizable, much beloved "Too Rolling Stoned" from Robin's second (and most well-known) 1974 solo album "Bridge of Sighs" had the audience immediately locked in.

Part 2 Wicked Outro Guitar Solo

Robin has just released a brand new album titled "Shine" and featured a track from it right away with it's debut single "Live Your Time" as the second entry of the night.

Dipping back into his somewhat more recent catalog (into the 2000's) the band played "Distant Places of the Heart" from the Jack Bruce and Robin collaboration album "Seven Moons."  Special mention to vocalist (and bassist) Richard Watts for his wonderful rendition, paying tribute to the legendary Cream vocalist.

The set flowed smoothly as the audience gave all their attention to the this well-honed musical power trio.  The purity of three great players expressing themselves through their craft completely live without any kind of backing tracks is something to hold on to in this day and age.

Dipping back into his late 70's catalog, "Somebody Calling" from Robin's 1977 album "In City Dreams" was rolled out with precision.

Moving to his previous most-recent release, "One Go Round" from the 2025 album "Come and Find Me" shows how prolific Robin continues to be.

Listen to the enthusiastic applause at the song's completion.

Returning to his classic 1974 album, lead track and live show favorite "Day of the Eagle" dazzled the attentive crowd.

Reaching the track most fans know him for, the inimitable "Bridge of Sighs" was performed.

This atmospheric blues-rock song builds slowly, with each successive note evoking a deep sense of existential sorrow and cosmic isolation.

While Robin states he took the title from a racehorse name he saw in the sports pages, the actual bridge exists in Venice, Italy where prisoners in the 1600's crossed over (hence the sigh where they viewed freedom one last time) to the prison on the other side.

Coming back to more recent work, the title track of 2022's "No More Worlds To Conquer" delighted the listeners.  It must also be noted that drummer Chris Taggart was a pleasure to listen to and appeared to be having fun with every song.

Going all the way back to his debut solo album "Twice Removed From Yesterday," the band delivered an inspired rendition of featured track "Daydream."

The final song of the night (before encore) drew a fourth track from the "Bridge Of Sighs" album with the live concert favorite "Little Bit of Sympathy."

After a brief farewell, the band returned for an encore of two songs from the "No More Worlds to Conquer" album, "The Razor's Edge" and "Birdsong."   Taking advantage of the opportunity to move up closer to the stage, this wonderful final performance was captured.

Up close and personal!

With the conclusion of "Birdsong" Robin and his band wished everyone adieu, as the audience voiced their appreciation for what we all just experienced.

Interactions with the band are always a blast!

Robin Trower has a brand new album "Shine" out now on vinyl, CD and digital.  Listen / order here.

Follow Robin on his Social Media  -  Official Website  -  Facebook  -  Instagram

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Opening this night’s show was a bluesy-rock female-duo named KG & The Drive.  Fronted by Katy Guillen on guitar and vocals, paired with drummer Stephanie Williams, the Kansas City, Missouri based band specializes in rootsy rock laced with blistering guitar solos.  While being an opening act can be challenging in winning an audience over who are waiting for the headliners, these two rockers managed to pull that task off.

The first thing you notice about their live show is how relaxed and at-ease these two musician are with performing.  They get right in to their set and immediate draw the audience in to their guitar, drum and vocal world.

Katy makes an impression early with her guitar mastery and confidence to soar on a number of extended guitar solos.

Which includes some powerful, soulful blues licks, along with intuitive interaction between guitarist and drummer.

One more spectacular track captured, here with Katy ripping hard on a heavy-blues guitar solo as Stephanie's drums pound along in tandem.

It's also rewarding to connect with a band you've just become a fan of.

Their latest album “Make That Sound” is out now and can be acquired here.

Follow them on their Social Media:

Official Website   -   Facebook   -   Instagram   -   Bandcamp

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It's always fun to check out new restaurants nearby before the show.

Happy concert attendees outside the venue.

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