This epic length came even without a single retake being done for the cameras — Martin Scorsese was directing the collection of footage — and with three intermissions turning out to be surprisingly brief. It was epic, but it was a weight the very capable cast of players and a happy, unbothered audience bore lightly.
Martin Scorsese was initially announced as an executive producer alongside Blackbird Presents‘ Keith Wortman, Scooter Weintraub and Jared Levine, but it was only announced two days prior to the concert that he would be directing the filming of the show — in a mirroring of his direction of “The Last Waltz” back in 1976.
Late Thursday night in Los Angeles, a few minutes shy of midnight, the soul-stirring vocalist had the crowd at the Forum on their feet. Staples had just performed “The Weight” onstage with Bob Weir, Phish
Robertson was the singer and lead guitarist of The Band, but also a producer and composer who wrote film scores for Martin Scorsese. In fact, his final piece of work was creating the score for “Killers of the Flower Moon.” He also served as a record executive.
Robertson died last year at 80 years “after a long illness,” according to his manager. So, he’ll be honored in appropriate fashion: a concert.
In addition to Clapton, Costello and Van Morrison, the event saw the performances from Trey Anastasio, Ryan Bingham, Mike Campbell, Eric Church, Warren Haynes, Bruce Hornsby, Jim James, Jamey Johnson, Noah Kahan, Daniel Lanois, Taj Mahal, Margo Price, Robert Randolph, Nathaniel Rateliff, Allison Russell, Mavis Staples, Benmont Tench, Don Was, Bobby Weir, and Lucinda Williams.
“Life is a Carnival” took take place on Thursday, October 17, at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. Tickets go up for presale on Wednesday at 10 a.m. PST, and the window to purchase them will close on Thursday at 10 p.m. PST. The general public can begin purchasing tickets on Friday.
A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to Canada’s Woodland Cultural Center, an organization that “serves to preserve, promote and strengthen Indigenous language, culture, art and history.”
“In honor of our dear brother, Robbie, I’d like to say good evening to each and every one,” Native American singer Verdell Primeaux addressed the crowd. “And in his memory, we’re going to open the show with a few good words towards the creator.” Then Primeaux, alongside fellow Native American performer Zee Wilson, sang the chanting “Peyote Healing,” a track from Robertson’s 1998 LP Contact from the Underworld of Redboy.
The show continued with Allison Russell, Daniel Lanois, Julian Taylor, and Logan Staats recreating “Acadian Driftwood.” “This is a Canadian song,” Russell told the crowd before playing Robertson’s story-song opus loosely based on the French and Indian War. Robert Randolph tackled “Straight Down the Line,” and introduced his “good friend, the great legend, Mr. Taj Majal,” who summoned Robertson’s days with Ronnie Hawkins with the bluesy swagger of “Who Do You Love.”
Set List
“Peyote Healing” Blessing and Chant – Verdell Primeaux & Zee Wilson
“Up on Cripple Creek” – Eric Church
“Ophelia” – Ryan Bingham
“The Best of Everything” – Mike Campbell
“Evangeline” – Margo Price
“Acadian Driftwood” – Allison Russell, Daniel Lanois, Julian Taylor, Logan Staats
“Straight Down the Line” – Robert Randolph
“Who Do You Love” – Taj Mahal
“Down South in New Orleans” – Dave Malone & Cyril Neville
“Go Back to Your Woods” – Bruce Hornsby
“King Harvest” – Bruce Hornsby
“The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” – Jamey Johnson
“Broken Arrow” – Daniel Lanois
“Life Is a Carnival” – Warren Haynes and All-Star Band
“Whispering Pines” – Lucinda Williams
“Twilight” – Nathaniel Rateliff
“Across the Great Divide” – Nathaniel Rateliff
“Rag Mama Rag” – Jamey Johnson
“Don’t Do It” – Nathaniel Rateliff (with Margo Price)
“Tupelo Honey” – Van Morrison
“Days Like This” – Van Morrison
“Wonderful Remark” – Van Morrison
“The Shape I’m In” – Eric Clapton
“Out of the Blue” – Eric Clapton
“Forbidden Fruit” – Eric Clapton
“Chest Fever” – Eric Clapton
“Further on Up the Road” – Eric Clapton
“Forever Young” – Ryan Bingham
“It Makes No Difference” – Jim James
“Stage Fright” – Warren Haynes
“Caravan” – Warren Haynes
“When I Paint My Masterpiece” – Bob Weir
“The Unfaithful Servant” – Trey Anastasio
“Look Out Cleveland” – Trey Anastasio
“The Weight” Mavis Staples (with Trey Anastasio, Bob Weir)
“I Shall Be Released” – Jamey Johnson, Jim James, Allison Russell & Ensemble
