Lynyrd Skynyrd

The concert celebrating 50 years of Lynyrd Skynyrd lived up to expectations. It’s true — none of the original members are still part of the band, as sadly all of them have passed away over the years — but calling them a cover band would be unfair. The current members have taken up the legacy with respect and continuity, carrying the band’s story forward in an authentic way. Some have called them the “American Nomads.” A label that, in my opinion, fits perfectly. The setlist followed that of the recent Live at the Ryman, the anniversary album. The concert was slightly shorter than expected — a couple of songs were missing, likely due to time constraints given the downtown Ferrara location, but possibly also out of consideration for the musicians’ age. A shame, because I would’ve loved to hear I Know a Little and Red, White and Blue. The show opened with Workin’ for MCA, as is traditional for the band’s live performances. I had a faint hope they might include some less obvious tracks from their vast repertoire, but they opted for a classic selection. One of the performances I appreciated the most was Down South Jukin, accompanied by an evocative video featuring alligators — after all, they’re Florida boys through and through. The most touching moment came with Tuesday’s Gone, dedicated to Gary Rossington, who recently passed away. A beautiful, emotional performance. With that song — also made famous by Metallica’s cover — the grand finale began, featuring The Needle and the Spoon, followed by the great crowd-pleasers: Gimme Three Steps Call Me the Breeze Sweet Home Alabama and of course, the essential Free Bird, with its endless solo closing out the night. All in all, I liked them. Despite their age, they remain credible, charismatic, and fully capable of engaging the audience.