Hangout 2013
Gulf Shores, AL
May 18, 2013
With Kings of Leon warming the stage up as the Friday night headliner and Stevie Wonder slated to close festivities down on the Main Stage Sunday, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers were in primed for a big night Saturday night with a two-hour slot following supporting sets from the Black Crowes, Gov’t Mule and Shoves & Rope.
Tom and the guys arrived to the festival site a few hours before showtime, mingling backstage and taking in the gorgeous beachfront views of the Gulf of Mexico. Mike and Steve played some ping-pong, and Benmont visited with family and friends. Just before taking the stage, Tom and the guys spent a few minutes with Caleb, Jared and Nathan Followill of Kings of Leon, the young Tennessee rockers elated to meet their long-time heroes.
“So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star” is quickly becoming the ideal show opener that Tom and the band envisioned in rehearsals, and this particular version of The Byrds’ classic was huge and high-energy. The next four songs – “Love Is A Long Road,” “I Won’t Back Down,” “You Wreck Me” and “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” – were the loudest sing-a-longs these ears have ever heard with 40,000-plus harmonizing with Tom. “I Just Want To Make Love To You” gave Scott a chance to shine, taking an extended harmonica solo on the Muddy Waters cover. “Friend of the Devil” found Tom taking a turn on the harmonica himself, giving the Grateful Dead chestnut a cool, countrier feel for its 2013 summer tour debut having not been played since the 1997 Fillmore residency. “You’re So Bad” rocked and brought the crowd vocals back, which peaked for “Refugee” and “Runnin’ Down A Dream.” The band was all smiles on the sidestage during the break before the encore, basking in the applause from the awaiting audience. The crowd erupted in cheers as the band returned to the stage, and only grew louder as Mike played the iconic riff to open “Don’t Come Around Here No More.” “American Girl” brought the decibel level to a frenzied apex, topped only by the cheer the band received upon bowing at the lip of the stage before exiting on their way to the Big Apple!
New York, we’re ready for the Beacon! Keep checking back for more from the 2013 Summer Tour!
Set List:
Rock & Roll Star
Love Is A Long Road
I Won't Back Down
You Wreck Me
Mary Jane's Last Dance
Good Enough
Free Fallin'
Woman In Love
I Just Want To Make Love To You
Tweeter And The Monkey Man
Rebels
Friend of the Devil
Learning to Fly
Yer So Bad
I Should Have Known It
Refugee
Runnin' Down A Dream
E: Don't Come Around Here No More
American Girl