Beginning this fall, Classic Albums Live takes the stage at the Calgary Arts Commons, marking a moment before the venue undergoes a transformative multi-year renovation. The performances will highlight the venue’s world-class acoustics, an ideal setting for a no-frills, note-for-note performance of rock and roll relics. 

Led by general manager and frontman Nick Walsh, these shows aren’t your average tribute act. There are no gimmicks here—no wigs, no costumes, no over-the-top impersonations. The spotlight is entirely on the music, with the band recreating each track as it was laid down in the studio.

“We’re the keepers of this music,” says Walsh. “When we’re performing something like Led Zeppelin II, we make sure every guitar solo, every vocal inflection, and even every overdub that was laid down in the studio is captured live on stage.”

That attention to detail is what sets Classic Albums Live apart from your average cover band. This isn’t just a nostalgia trip for baby boomers—it’s a celebration of musicianship that resonates across generations. Whether you’re a lifelong Zeppelin fan or a younger listener discovering these albums for the first time, Classic Albums Live is about preserving the magic of rock’s most iconic records.

“We’re like a modern orchestra playing the classics of the last century. These records are the Bach and Beethoven of the 20th century.”

“We’re not trying to be Zeppelin,” Walsh clarifies. “We’re like a modern orchestra playing the classics of the last century. These records are the Bach and Beethoven of the 20th century.”

As the production continues to expand, their mission remains the same: preserving rock’s legacy while introducing it to new audiences. They’ve performed for the first time in Hawaii, with plans to bring the show to the UK and Japan. Their setlist doesn’t stop with Led Zeppelin II—they’re also tackling The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and The Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers.

“Classic rock is universal,” Walsh adds. “It crosses cultural and language barriers. You see three generations of fans coming to our shows—the parents who saw Zeppelin in the ’70s, their kids who grew up hearing it, and now their grandkids who are learning to play the music themselves.”

But Walsh and his fellow performers aren’t content locked in the ’60s and ’70s. Recognizing the need to connect with younger audiences, they’ve begun expanding their repertoire to include albums from the ’80s, like Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet and The Cars’ debut album.

“Slippery When Wet was my Led Zeppelin II growing up,” Walsh says, reminiscing. “It was the soundtrack to my teenage years, just like how Zeppelin was for people in the ’70s. And now, we’re bringing these albums into our shows to connect with younger fans.”

The upcoming Calgary performances will be held at the Jack Singer Concert Hall, one of the crown jewels of  the Arts Commons, and a venue renowned for its impeccable acoustics. It’s a complementary space for Classic Albums Live, a product that prides itself on delivering an authentic listening experience.

“Every room is different,” Walsh notes, “but performing at a place like the Jack Singer is special because of its sound quality. You feel every note and every beat reverberate through the hall.”

The coming month’s run on shows underscores Arts Commons’ ongoing commitment to bringing diverse, high-quality programming to the city. Known for hosting everything from classical symphonies to avant-garde theatre, the venue continues to push boundaries with a lineup that bridges the past and present. And there’s something undeniably powerful about hearing an album like Led Zeppelin II played live in a world-class setting. 

For Walsh and his team, it’s more than just about sonic fidelity—it’s about capturing the heart and soul of the original recordings.

“These records were the soundtracks to people’s lives,” says Walsh. “When we play Led Zeppelin II, we’re not just going through the motions. We play it as if we wrote it ourselves because we want the audience to feel the same excitement they felt when they first heard it.”

Whether you’re a die-hard Zeppelin fan or someone just now discovering their legendary sound, Classic Albums Live offers an unforgettable IRL experience. This is your chance to hear these albums the way they were meant to be heard: live, loud, and larger than life.

Classic Albums Live presents Led Zeppelin: Led Zepellin II (October 24, 2024), David Bowie: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (April 3, 2025), and The Rolling Stones: Sticky Fingers (May 3, 2025) 

Tickets & Info