Robert Plant & Alison Krauss Stun with “When The Levee Breaks” at Glastonbury 2022 – A Performance Where Emotion and Legacy Collide

As the golden hues of sunset washed over the Glastonbury sky in 2022, a truly unforgettable moment unfolded before tens of thousands of fans. The appearance of legendary Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant alongside the graceful violinist and vocalist Alison Krauss brought the entire festival crowd to a standstill. Their chosen song, “When The Levee Breaks” — a piece with nearly a century of history — was transformed into a soul-stirring performance that resonated deeply with audiences around the globe.
Originally written in 1929 by Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie, “When The Levee Breaks” told the story of the devastating Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. Led Zeppelin famously reimagined the track in 1971 for their iconic Led Zeppelin IV album, complete with John Bonham’s thunderous drums that became legendary. Yet in Glastonbury 2022, Plant and Krauss reinterpreted the song with a haunting softness — filled with sorrow, grace, and quiet strength.

Krauss led with melancholic violin notes, setting the stage for Plant to deliver the lyrics with his seasoned, expressive voice — like recounting a timeless tale of hardship and beauty. When the two joined in harmony for the chorus, the audience below was visibly moved, many overcome with emotion and tears.
The performance was later uploaded to YouTube under the title Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – When The Levee Breaks (Glastonbury 2022) and quickly amassed millions of views. Viewers from around the world flooded the comments with praise, highlighting the breathtaking fusion of two musical worlds — classic rock and modern bluegrass — bridged by deep respect for the song’s roots and an enduring love for music.

More than just a stunning performance, this was a cultural moment — a reminder that music transcends time. As Plant and Krauss breathed new life into an old blues anthem, they created a powerful tribute to history, emotion, and the unbreakable spirit of artistic collaboration.