Fri 11/11 @ 8PM
The original Renaissance was an artsy, progressive British ensemble with classical music elements, formed in 1969. Its debut attracted a lot of attention because it was founded by two members of ’60s legends the Yardbirds — drummer Jim McCarty and singer Keith Relf — a band which had recently given birth also to Led Zeppelin. Renaissance featured Relf’s sister Jane on vocals as well, giving the group a distinctively airy sound.
By the end of 1970, none of the original members were left but an endless number of new lineups were formed under the name, performing variations of the original band’s sound until they finally laid it to rest in 1987.
OK, not quite, because these days it seems no band is ever totally gone. They reformed for a little while at the turn of the millennium with vocalist Annie Haslam, who had joined in 1971, up front. Now she’s the only member of the group who pre-dates their latest reformation in 2009. That lineup released the group’s only album since 2001 and only their second since 1983, 2013’s Grandine el vento. They do however have a new live album, and they’re out on tour promoting it. They’ll be at the Kent Stage for an evening with Renaissance. Tickets are $31.