There are albums you listen to, albums you fall in love with, and then there are albums that become part of your life. They seem to weave themselves into your memories, carry you through moments you never imagined facing, and soon become the soundtrack to your own story.
For us, Greta Van Fleet has always been so much more than a band.
On the night of October 8, 2017, the Tubbs Fire forever changed our lives. We lost our home, our business, treasured memories, and so much of the world we had built. What followed was a time of unimaginable loss and the overwhelming challenge of rebuilding our lives.
During those darkest days, Greta Van Fleet’s From the Fires EP became a true source of healing. Their music brought moments of joy in a time when happiness felt impossible, and brought strength when we were exhausted, and most importantly gave us hope when the future seemed so uncertain. There was something about the raw passion and freedom in their music that reminded us we could still feel alive, even when everything around us had fallen apart.
And now, nine years later, as we mark the anniversary of the fire, Greta Van Fleet releases Palace for the People. There’s something truly beautiful about that timing.
Listening to this album feels like coming full circle. It’s almost a cathartic bliss, a release of emotions that delivers joy, understanding, and love.
Beyond our personal connection, Palace for the People is an amazing musical journey. It brings back some of that spirit of Greta Van Fleet’s earliest days, but you can also hear just how much Josh, Jake, Sammy, and Danny have grown as musicians and as men.
From the opening of “Into the Beginning,” you can feel that Greta Van Fleet is taking us on another musical journey. There’s that rock and roll sound we fell in love with, but they’re also bringing something new to the music. As the album unfolds, you hear just how much they’ve grown without losing what made their music feel so special in the first place.
Then comes “Tear It Down,” bringing that unmistakable Greta Van Fleet fierceness straight to the front. Jake Kiszka’s guitar work carries echoes of that raw, blues-driven sound we first fell in love with, but now there’s this feel of a newfound artistry to his playing. It brings intensity, but at the same time, something so vulnerable.
For me, “Tear It Down” captures the vulnerability of everything we lost while somehow stripping away the things that bind us to the past. It feels like shedding old skin, releasing the weight of what once was and making room for new beginnings. Sometimes tearing something down isn’t about destruction at all. It’s about finding the freedom to begin again. And this song brings that feeling to life.
And then there’s “Heart and the Beat.” This song has that unmistakable Greta Van Fleet sound. It’s undeniable. There’s that raw energy, the powerful vocals, the guitar, the bass, and the drums all coming together with that chemistry we’ve loved from the beginning. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to turn up the volume and just get lost in the music. You can feel the energy of all four of them coming through, and it’s a reminder of what first drew us to this band.
It’s friggin’ rock and roll, man!
As the album moves through “Boughten Bliss” and “Field of Stars,” you hear another side of the band’s sound. Jake brings an almost folk-inspired quality to some moments of his playing. It’s like he’s choosing a gentler approach that allows the melodies to breathe. It’s a reminder that not every guitar moment needs to be explosive to leave a lasting impression. Sometimes the greatest expression comes from restraint.
Throughout the album, Josh Kiszka’s vocals are nothing short of captivating. His voice grabs ahold of you. It’s as if he’s holding your hand and guiding you through each track while creating a connection that feels so deeply personal and reflective. He moves effortlessly between these soaring, powerful passages and wraps them into moments of tenderness. He draws you into the emotion of the songs, not just simply delivering lyrics. There’s so much sincerity in his voice that makes the music resonate deeply.
With “Play Your Games,” the band reconnects with that rock and roll spirit that has always been part of their identity. But what makes this album so compelling is the chemistry between Josh, Jake, Sammy, and Danny.
Sammy Kiszka’s bass lines bring sincerity and the perfect balance of heaviness to the music. His playing creates these emotional undercurrents that you FEEL just as much as you HEAR. They give the songs such depth and character at the same time allowing the melodies to shine. He brings a deffinite warmth to the album, even during its most powerful moments.
Danny Wagner truly is the heartbeat of the Fleet. His drumming carries the music forward with such drive and passion. At times, he brings this explosive energy, and other times he pulls back just enough to give a song room to unfold. You can almost picture him behind the kit, completely immersed in the moment, feeling every beat as he plays. His drumming doesn’t just keep time. It gives the music life. If you have ever have seen them live, you know what I am talking about.
As the album moves into “Dreams You Hold” and “Lost in the Golden,” there’s this beautiful sense of possibility and emotional openness. These are two songs that really stand out for me. They invite you to lose yourself in the music, to feel its energy while still being able to sit with those more reflective moments.
“Dreams You Hold” feels particularly meaningful. It brings to mind the dreams we carry through life’s uncertainties and the hope that keeps us moving forward. “Lost in the Golden” brings a different energy. There’s a sense of movement and freedom that makes you want to surrender completely to the music. Together, these songs capture something I love about this album. They make reflection feel uplifting and a joy that feels deeply personal.
Another standout, “Saw You Stand,” one of the most moving moments on the album. That beautiful piano arrangement lays this incredible foundation beneath Josh’s vocals, giving his voice the space to really shine. There’s such a tenderness to the way he sings, and then he takes it to another level with those powerful, soaring vocals. You just get completely lost in his voice.
And then Jake comes in and takes that emotion even further.
His guitar almost becomes a second voice, as if he’s unleashing his soul through every bend and soaring note. He’s not just playing a solo. He’s continuing that emotional conversation Josh started, only now he’s telling it through his guitar. It’s one of those moments where you can really feel how connected these guys are to the music they’re creating.
That expressive quality returns in “Call My Own.” Jake’s atmospheric guitar work and spacious stereo reverb allow the notes to linger and seemingly come alive. It’s another example of how the band can use different sounds and textures, and sometimes even restraint, to create something amazing.
The album closes with “Born into This,” which feels like the perfect conclusion to this musical journey. It’s a song filled with questions about freedom, connection, and the human experience. The blues-driven guitar, the powerful rhythm section, and those extended instrumental moments give the song such a sense of movement and release.
Josh’s vocals explore life’s contradictions, while the way Jake, Sammy, and Danny play off one another creates this powerful musical conversation. They give each other room to breathe, building toward an ending that feels both liberating and reflective.
And perhaps that’s what makes Palace for the People so special.
It doesn’t feel like Greta Van Fleet is trying to recreate their past. Instead, it feels like they’re embracing everything that has brought them to this moment. That raw fierceness of their early music is still there, but now it’s woven into something bigger and so emotionally expressive.
Each of them brings something unmistakably their own, but together they create a sound that feels so alive and deeply connected.
There’s freedom here, there’s vulnerability, reflection, and such a sense of possibility.
For us, the album carries something even deeper. Music doesn’t erase the pain of what we’ve experienced, and it can’t bring back what we’ve lost. But it reminds us that joy can exist alongside grief and loss, and that even after the darkest chapters, new beginnings are waiting to unfold.
Nine years ago, Greta Van Fleet’s music helped us find the light when our world had gone dark. And today, Palace for the People reminds us just how brightly that light can still shine.
It’s cathartic bliss.
In addition to the release of this amazing album is the possibility to get out and feel the music live as they have announced their tour dates.
We can’t wait to get out and feel the music of Greta Van Fleet.
027 INTO THE BEGINNING TOUR DATES:
Wed, Feb 3 – Savannah, GA – Enmarket Arena *
Fri, Feb 5 – Tampa, FL – Benchmark International Arena *
Sat, Feb 6 – Jacksonville, FL – VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena *
Tue, Feb 9 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena *
Wed, Feb 10 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena *
Fri, Feb 12 – Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena *
Sat, Feb 13 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center *
Mon, Feb 15 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center *
Wed, Feb 17 – Green Bay, WI – Resch Center *
Fri, Feb 19 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center *
Sat, Feb 20 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena *
Tue, Mar 2 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena ^
Wed, Mar 3 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Arena ^
Fri, Mar 5 – Boston, MA – TD Garden ^
Sat, Mar 6 – Albany, NY – MVP Arena ^
Mon, Mar 8 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center ^
Wed, Mar 10 – Philadelphia, PA – Xfinity Mobile Arena ^
Fri, Mar 12 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center ^
Sat, Mar 13 – Knoxville, TN – Food City Center ^
Mon, Mar 15 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena ^
Tue, Mar 16 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center ^
Fri, Mar 19 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center #
Sat, Mar 20 – Phoenix, AZ – Mortgage Matchup Center #
Mon, Mar 22 – Reno, NV – Reno Events Center #
Wed, Mar 24 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena #
Thu, Mar 25 – Portland, OR – Moda Center #
Sat, Mar 27 – Boise, ID – ExtraMile Arena (BSU) #
Mon, Mar 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – Delta Center #
Tue, Mar 30 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena #
Sat, May 15 – Munich, DE – Olympiahalle ‡
Sun, May 16 – Milan, IT – Unipol Forum ‡
Tue, May 18 – Hamburg, DE – Barclays Arena ‡
Wed, May 19 – Copenhagen, DK – Royal Arena ‡
Fri, May 21 – Berlin, DE –Uber Arena ‡
Sat, May 22 – Czech Republic Prague – O2 Arena ‡
Mon, May 24 Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome ‡
Tue, May 25 – Brussels, BE – Forest National ‡
Thu, May 27 – Paris, FR – Adidas Arena ‡
Fri, May 28 – London, UK – O2 Arena ‡
Sun, May 30 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena ‡
Tue, Jun 01 – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live ‡
Wed, Jun 02 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro ‡
Fri, Jun 04 – Dublin, IE – 3Arena ‡
Mon, Jul 5 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena +
Wed, Jul 7 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place +
Thu, Jul 8 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome +
Sat, Jul 10 – Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre +
Tue, Jul 13 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center +
Wed, Jul 14 – St. Louis, MO – Chaifetz Arena +
Fri, Jul 16 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena +
Sat, Jul 17 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center +
Tue, Jul 20 – Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center °
Wed, Jul 21 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion °
Fri, Jul 23 – Hershey, PA – Giant Center °
Sat, Jul 24 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena °
Mon, Jul 26 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion °
Wed, Jul 28 – Laval, QC – Place Bell °
Thu, Jul 29 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre °
Sat, Jul 31 – Grand Rapids, MI – Acrisure Amphitheater °
* Arc De Soleil and Edgehill
^ The Kooks and Luna Li
# The Kooks and Sana Sana Musica
‡ Larkin Poe
+ Portugal. The Man and Sun Room
° Portugal. The Man and Friko
You can also check out photos from their last Sacramento show.
We will continue to bring you updates on their new music. Make sure to visit their social media sites and stay up to date on their latest news.
Information & Links:
- Website: http://gretavanfleet.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gretavanfleet
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/GretaVanFleet
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gretavanfleet/
