Lez Zeppelin Rocks Out at The Kate

The music of Led Zeppelin continues to enthrall, excite and enchant music fans all over the world. There are several fine Zeppelin tribute bands out there, but one of the absolute best is Lez Zeppelin. This dynamic all female group brought their amazing talents to The Kate in Old Saybrook on Sunday, December 28, and they tore the roof off the place, performing the full set list from one of Zeppelin’s celebrated Earls Court concerts from 1975. To call these fabulous musicians a tribute band does them something of a disservice. Lez Zeppelin doesn’t just play the songs of Led Zeppelin, they inhabit them.

The group’s lineup consists of Dana Athens on vocals, Steph Paynes on guitar, mandolin and theremin, Joan Chew on bass, keyboards and mandolin, and Hillary Blaze on drums and percussion. Throughout the almost three-hour show, each of these incredibly talented women had moments of sheer musical brilliance, and their undeniable chemistry and non-stop energy literally lit up the room. The band breathed new life into tunes like “Kashmir,” “Going To California,” and “That’s The Way,” while retaining the essence that made these songs classics in the first place. 

 

photo by John V

 

Dana Athens channeled the soulful qualities of Robert Plant, while bringing a generous helping of rock goddess energy to her performances, and Steph Paynes proved she could hold her own with Jimmy Page with her incredible guitar work. Joan Chew anchored the band with her terrific bass and keyboard playing, and Hillary Blaze electrified the audience with her epic drumming. Every one of the evening’s knockout performances were infused with raw passion, power, and an ethereal quality that deeply enriched the music. Zeppelin's music features a lot of subtle nuances and intricacies that only the best performers can bring out in a live setting. Lez Zeppelin manages to capture the passion and soul inherent in Zeppelin’s oeuvre, while adding a bit of their own compelling spirit to these remarkable songs. 

 

This unforgettable show was a spectacular reminder of the enduring power of Led Zeppelin’s discography, and a showcase for the phenomenal talents of the members of Lez Zeppelin, whose absolute joy at performing these songs was inherent in every note. The band will be touring in 2026 with shows celebrating the music from The Song Remains The Same, Led Zeppelin’s concert film from 1976. If you'd like to hear some high-energy classic rock, performed with a healthy dose of girl power, I highly recommend checking out Lez Zeppelin. For more info on the band, head over to their website at https://lezzeppelin.com/.