Redneck rock festival at Phillips Arena

"Southern rock is alive and well with Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top," yelled Johnny Van Zant, lead vocalist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, as he made his way on stage at Tuesday (Sept. 28) night's performance. This concert, which could have easily been mistaken for a redneck festival, was a testament to his statement.

The show started out with the band Screaming Cheeta Willies, and to their credit put on a good half hour show. After a brief stage change Lynyrd Skynyrd came out much to the delight of the audience.

The near-capacity crowd, clad with rebel flags and beer shirts, hung on Van Zant's every word as though he was the messiah. The younger sibling of Ronnie Van Zant, Johnny took over vocals for the band after his brother and two other band members died in a 1977 plane crash.

The band started off with their hit What's Your Name? Then, they played some of their newer songs in a long medley. The band finished with their famous song Sweet Home Alabama, as a huge confederate flag was unfurled behind the stage. After a crowd-roaring seven minute standing ovation, the band returned with Van Zant wearing a shirt memorializing his brother.

After a couple of seconds the pianist started playing the first notes of Free Bird and the audience went crazy with joy. The woman next to me had tears in her eyes, and couples around me were embracing as Van Zant sung this rock ballad. The band then left the stage to another deafening ovation.

After a 30 min. intermission, ZZ Top took the stage with their famous long beards and their electric guitars. They played a good show, but lacked the excitement generated for Lynyrd Skynyrd.

The set was rather simplistic, as it was just the two men and their drummer on the stage. Some of the hits they played were "Cheap Sunglasses," "Tube Snake Boogie," and "Tush." The band also played "La Grange" and finished the night playing their famous song "Legs" with fuzzy guitars.

The whole experience was great and very entertaining. If you have never seen the new Philips Arena, I highly recommend going to see a show there because of the vast improvements in sound and light over the Omni.