Press Review: Playing to a packed audience, Led Zeppelin proved to be the most exciting group to have played in the University this year. Although they seemed a bit unsure at the beginning of the set, they got themselves more together after the few opening numbers to eventually do a brilliant version of “Living Lovin Maid” (note: reviewer likely meant Whole Lotta Love), after which the audience reacted more positively towards them and the group again responded in return.

Much of Led Zeppelin’s live performance depends on the overwhelming stage presence of Robert Plant. It’s this which makes them more than just a band of competent rock musicians. In fact, the group complement him with a brand of hard driving music which is aimed more towards the body than towards the brain.

During their long three-hour set, they performed three new numbers, which were previously unrecorded and this might possibly be on their fourth album. They were: Going to California, Black Dog and Stairway to Heaven, the latter being exceptional. A number which I didn’t really expect was a slow 12-bar blues with John Paul Jones providing an organ backing for some really beautiful guitar from Jimmy Page.

After two hours without a really total response from the audience, Led Zeppelin walked off the stage only to be brought back on after a standing ovation from an ecstatic audience, to play hard rock and roll for another hour of repeated encores until Zeppelin finished an extremely satisfying set. (Dennis Robbins / University of Southampton / Wessex Scene)