Tedeschi Trucks Band Warmed Up Merriweather on a Cool Summer Night

Tedeschi Trucks Band Warmed Up Merriweather on a Cool Summer Night

Gary Jared
August 27, 2024

On an unseasonably cool August evening at Merriweather Post Pavilion, the Tedeschi Trucks Band warmed up the air with an electric swampy symphony of soul, blues, and rock that felt like it was brewed in the cauldron of American music history itself. The stage, framed by towering trees filtering shafts of golden light, seemed less like a venue and more like a portal—transporting the crowd from the golden lit lawn to where past legends and present icons dance together under the same groove.

Margo Price at Merriweather Post Pavilion

Before the Tedeschi Trucks Band took the stage, Margo Price and her band, the Price Tags, delivered a set that felt like a shot of pure adrenaline straight to the heart. Known for her no-nonsense brand of country infused with rock and soul, Price proved herself a force of nature—a whirlwind of raw emotion, razor-sharp wit, and undeniable talent. As the golden hour light bathed the lawn, she kicked things off with an array of tunes, including "About to Find Out," a declaration of intent that hooked the crowd from the first note.

Margo Price at Merriweather Post Pavilion

Price's set was a journey through the highs and lows of life, each song a chapter in a story of grit, resilience, and defiance. "Four Years of Chances" and "Never Say Die" were reminders of her ability to channel personal struggle into something universal, her voice carrying the weight of a thousand untold stories. The crowd was rapt, hanging on every word, every twang of band.

Margo Price at Merriweather Post Pavilion

When she launched into "Tennessee Song," the energy shifted. Suddenly, it was as if the Pavilion had been transported to a honky-tonk somewhere deep in the South, where the whiskey flows as freely as the music. "Don't Wake Me Up" and "Change of Heart" showcased her versatility, blending elements of rock, blues, and country into a sound that was distinctly her own. But the defiant "Do Right By Me" and the soaring "Hey Child" truly cemented her status as one of the most compelling voices in modern Americana.

Margo Price at Merriweather Post Pavilion

The highlight of her set was undoubtedly her cover of "Ways to Be Wicked," a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers classic that she made entirely her own. She closed her set with "Hurtin' (on the Bottle)," a crowd favorite with everyone singing along, beers raised in salute to the queen of modern country. Margo Price returned later in the night to join the Tedeschi Trucks Band for the encore, it was clear that this was a night destined to be talked about long after the last notes had faded into the summer air.

Tedeschi Trucks Band at Merriweather Post Pavilion

Tedeschi Trucks Band's set started with "Soul Sweet Song," a fitting opener that set the tone for the night—a blend of fiery musicianship and heartfelt emotion. The interplay between Susan Tedeschi's gritty, soulful voice and Derek Trucks' serpentine slide guitar was immediate, a dialogue as much about what was said as what was left simmering beneath the surface. It's rare to witness a band so in tune with one another, where every note feels like a step forward on a synchronized musical journey.

Tedeschi Trucks Band at Merriweather Post Pavilion

"I Want More" followed, a demand as much as a promise, leaving the crowd hungry for whatever came next. And they weren't disappointed. When keyboardist Gabe Dixon took the mic for "Come and Go Blues," an Allman Brothers Band cover, it was as if the spirit of that legendary group had briefly slipped into the Pavilion to remind everyone where this music was born and how it continues to evolve.

Tedeschi Trucks Band at Merriweather Post Pavilion

Then came the tidal wave—a relentless flow of songs that swept the audience through a river of emotion. "Sweet and Low" was a tender lull before the storm of "Down in the Flood," a Bob Dylan cover that felt as urgent and apocalyptic as a thunderhead rolling in. "Part of Me" and "Do I Look Worried" showcased Tedeschi's ability to convey vulnerability with a steely edge. At the same time, the massive "Shame" unfurled like a flag of defiance.

Tedeschi Trucks Band at Merriweather Post Pavilion

The band's versatility was on full display with "Little by Little," a Junior Wells cover, where they morphed into a blistering blues outfit before diving headlong into the sprawling, jazz-infused "Idle Wind," the musical peak of the evening. The track took on new life with a seamless transition into "Sahib Teri Bandi - Maki Madni," a Derek Trucks Band classic filled with Indian-influenced slide riffs, before returning to "Idle Wind," now charged with the kinetic energy of a full-throttle jam session. The dual reprises and drum solos were like the ebb and flow of some primal tide, washing over the crowd and pulling them deeper into the music's embrace.

Tedeschi Trucks Band at Merriweather Post Pavilion

When the dust settled, and the last "Idle Wind" notes finally faded, Tedeschi brought things back home with "Just Won't Burn," a reminder of her storied past and the fiery determination that has always fueled her journey. The Prince cover "1999" was a left-field delight, injected with the band's signature flavor, and "Made Up Mind" closed the set with a defiant, uplifting energy that felt like a rallying cry.

Tedeschi Trucks Band at Merriweather Post Pavilion

The encore saw the band joined by Margo Price and members of the Price Tags, turning the stage into a veritable family reunion of modern roots music. "Stranger in a Strange Land" was a statement, an anthem for those who walk the fine line between tradition and innovation. Just when the night couldn't get any more jubilant, they brought it all home with "Let's Go Get Stoned," a Coasters cover that transformed the Pavilion into a smokey gospel revival tent.

Tedeschi Trucks Band at Merriweather Post Pavilion

Catch Tedeschi Trucks Band at another show near you; they have dates booked across the country through November. Margo Price is supporting them for several dates, and she has shows scheduled through October.


Setlist

Setlist

Setlist


Click here to see the setlist for Tedeschi Trucks Band's performance at Merriweather Post Pavilion

Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery


Enjoy photos by our photographer Gary Jared.

Tedeschi Trucks Band

Margo Price

Additional Resources

Additional

Resources


To learn more about Tedeschi Trucks Band, please see the following web resources:

To learn more about Margo Price, please see the following web resources:

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About the author

Gary Jared

Born and raised in North Carolina, Gary grew up going to Walnut Creek Amphitheater in Raleigh and Greenfield Lake Amphitheater in Wilmington, where he developed a lifelong love of live music. Since moving to Washington, DC in 2015, you can find him at one of the many live music venues across the DMV usually with a camera in-hand or watching a baseball game in Nationals Park.

Gary graduated from University of North Carolina Wilmington with a B.A. in History and English and a Masters in Public Administration.


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