DECATUR – Ill. -- Kirkland Fine Arts Center (KFAC) is proud to present LED ZEPPELIN 2: THE LIVE EXPERIENCE (LZ2) in all their resplendent satin and rock’n’roll glory on Saturday, May 6, at 7:30pm.
This tour-opening show will feature the intense, raw energy and dynamics of songs such as “Whole Lotta Love,” “Stairway to Heaven,” “Kashmir,” “Dazed and Confused” and many more from the entire catalog of Zeppelin studio, live and bootleg recordings.
Kirkland Fine Arts Center is partnering with local brewery, Door 4 Brewing, to host a pre-party to the event, starting at 5:00 p.m. A shuttle will be available to bring concertgoers from the brewery to Kirkland for the show and back again afterwards.
Based in Chicago, LZ2 recreates Led Zeppelin at their prime. Composed of musicians from the best of Chicago’s indie/alternative/metal music scene, the band is a powerhouse of contemporary rock talent with rock-metal virtuoso Bruce Lamont on vocals, stellar Millikin alumnus Greg Fundis ’99 on drums, the incomparable Matthew Longbons on bass, and Paul Kamp — named “best guitarist” by Illinois Entertainer Magazine — on guitar.
Starting out at rock clubs around Chicago, the band grew notoriety in the local market until they gained national attention in 2010. They have been sharing stages with major international acts and selling out major rock venues across the USA ever since.
Jim Derogatis of NPR/Chicago Sun-Times says they’re “as good a Zep as Zep ever did back in the day.” Timeout New York says they’re “the best Zep band going anywhere.” And Atlanta’s Backstage Beat noted, after attending one of their concerts: “Such authentic raw flair, the entire crowd bought it, no questions lingering… hard to believe how balls-out fantastic they are.”
While contemporary audiences may think of Kirkland Fine Arts Center as their home for traditional theatre and performing arts offerings, KFAC has a long history of presenting the best popular music to the Decatur and Central Illinois community. Kirkland has hosted Duke Ellington (1972-73), the Pointer Sisters (1982-83), Ella Fitzgerald and Natalie Cole (1988-89), Little Richard (2004-05), Trace Adkins (2005-06), JoDee Messina (2006-07), The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience (2014-15), Rhonda Vincent & The Rage (2013-14; 2022-23) and many more.
Bryan Diver, Director of Kirkland Fine Arts Center says, “Kirkland is proud of its history, while also looking to expand the variety and range of entertainment we offer our patrons. Led Zeppelin 2 is the ideal caliber of experience we love to present: incredible live performers with a significant national presence, but instead of driving to St. Louis or Chicago, you can see them right here at home.”
In concert, LZ2 delivers authentic renditions of classic Zeppelin material, as well as recreating the live improvisation & onstage dynamics that earned Led Zeppelin their legendary status for performing.
Their 2023 SUMMER TOUR will begin at Kirkland Fine Arts Center and end at the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas on Sept. 1, with stops ranging across the Midwest, Northeast, and South, including in Kansas City, Asheville, Atlanta, Oklahoma City and elsewhere. Find out more at zep2.com.
Tickets are $20 // $25 // $30, with tickets for children under 12 available for $10.* To buy tickets and for a full schedule of events, please visit kirklandfinearts.com.
*Discount tickets for children, seniors, and veterans are not available online. Please call or visit the ticket office:
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
1215 Kirkland Drive
Decatur, Illinois 62522
Ticket Office: 217.424.6318
Hours: Tues.-Fri., 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Support for Kirkland Fine Arts Center has been provided by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
About Led Zeppelin 2
Bruce Lamont (vocals): This Chicago southsider is no stranger to the city’s rock scene. Bruce has been the frontman for the critically acclaimed avant-metal group Yakuza, touring all over the world. In addition to Led Zeppelin 2, Yakuza, and his solo works, Lamont performs with other projects including Bloodiest, Corrections House, and Brain Tentacles. Lamont has a new solo recording entitled “Broken Limbs Excite No Pity” release in 3.23.18.
Greg Fundis ’99 (drums): Greg is a highly sought-after Chicago-based drummer known for bringing energy, groove and chops to his live performances spanning a multitude of musical genres. In addition to Led Zeppelin 2, Fundis has toured across the U.S. and abroad with guitarist Fareed Haque, B-3 organ master Tony Monaco, award-winning jam band Old Shoe and has shared the stage with other notable artists including George Benson, Paquito D’Rivera, Louis Bellson and comedian Rich Little.
Matthew Longbons (bass): After winning Downbeat awards on jazz trumpet in high school, Matthew picked up the bass. In 2001, Matthew joined Chicago-based Ghettobillies, playing upwards of 200 gigs a year, including shows with Alice Cooper and The Allman Brothers plus numerous European tours. Matthew was voted best unsigned bassist in America at the 2004 National Emergenza battle of the bands. He has played with Pete Special (The Band), Umphree’s McGee, Nyco (Ted Atkatz of CSO), Underwater People, and Matt Walker (Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage, Morrisey). Matthew handles bass, keys, and mandolin in Led Zep 2.
Paul Kamp (guitar): By age 12, Paul was playing lead guitar in bands on Chicago’s southwest side. Kamp is recognized for his work with Busker Soundcheck, a Chicago trio known for inventive, interactive rock songs, including bowed-guitar and a range of electric and acoustic styles, a staple of the 1990’s Chicago music scene. Busker Soundcheck was a touring machine, with studio recordings hailed on several prominent critics’ “Best Of” lists. Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune named Kamp “one of the most accomplished guitar players in the Midwest” and he earned a nomination as “best guitarist” in Illinois Entertainer magazine.
About Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Kirkland Fine Arts Center is located on the Millikin University campus in Decatur, Illinois. Since its grand opening in 1970, Kirkland Fine Arts Center has played an integral part in continuing the arts in Decatur and central Illinois. The center is home to a 1,903-seat auditorium and houses several music and choral facilities, lecture halls, art galleries and other multipurpose rooms. Kirkland Fine Arts Center has brought in many nationally acclaimed musical tours including Rent, 42nd Street, Grease, Godspell, Side by Side, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats and many others. World-renowned entertainers such as Trace Adkins, Duke Ellington, Ray Charles, Little Richard, Vicki Lawrence and others have also performed at the center. Visit kirklandfinearts.com to learn more.
For further information, please contact LJ Pemberton, Marketing and Patron Relations Manager at Kirkland Fine Arts Center at 217.424.3931 or lpemberton@millikin.edu.
