Bonnaroo 2022: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss don't miss a beat, 14 years later

It’s been 14 years since Robert Plant and Alison Krauss last shared the stage at Bonnaroo.

In 2008, the unlikely duo played in the final hours of the festival, as their debut album “Raising Sand” was proving to be a renowned, best-selling, Grammy-grabbing sensation.

Bonnaroo was a different beast then: still firmly tied to its hippie origins, only hinting at the all-genre, big tent event it’s now become. These days, it's also courting a new generation. At best, a good chunk of today’s Bonnaroo attendees were in kindergarten when “Raising Sand” arrived.

But in 2022, rock and roll’s golden god and the beloved bluegrass artist still hold serious sway on the farm. One of the biggest crowds of the weekend thus far descended on Bonnaroo’s largest stage to see them play eclectic, generation-spanning covers and reinvent Led Zeppelin classics.

No doubt helping this show still feeling fresh and uncharted: Plant and Krauss parted ways a couple of years after "Raising Sand," and only reunited last year with the similarly spirited follow-up, "Raise the Roof."

Bonnaroo 2022 live updates: See what's happening at The Farm

Bonnaroo 2022: The Chicks rule The Farm in their triumphant 'Roo debut

On Friday, just before sundown, the two actually opened with the same number that began their 'Roo debut 14 years ago: "Rich Woman," a 1955 R&B song by by L'il Millet and his Creoles.

After that first song, Plant did a full 360 with an outstretched arm, gesturing to their folksy, yet muscular band — and perhaps the overall scene before him.

“Extraordinary,” he said.

“I like to do these matinees," he added after a few more tunes.

Related: Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett arrested for DUI after leaving Bonnaroo

"I used to think they were something really cool in the old days. You could see Mickey Mouse, and that’s exactly what you’re seeing now. It’s been many years since me and Alison trod the boards, and we’ve been having a really good time. We intend to take this on to bigger and better and sillier things. We’re going to Poland! But now we’re going back to 1958.”

That led into another "Raising Sand" favorite, the Everly Brothers' "Gone Gone Gone." Of course, they also tapped into the catalog of other legendary rock act: Plant's old band.

Seeing the frontman of Led Zeppelin on stage may have set many Bonnaroo attendees’ minds ablaze, but Krauss’ talents quickly established her as no less of an attraction, whether singing lead on “Trouble With My Lover” or playing mystical fiddle on “When The Levee Breaks.”

During their hour-long set, Plant and Krauss also tackled Zeppelin classics "Rock and Roll" and "The Battle of Evermore." The latter was a thrilling climax -- less so for its familiarity than the fact that these two artists raised their voices to new peaks, as the band leaned into the track's pounding power.

When the smoke cleared, the group was all smiles as they took a final bow. Plant told the audience they'd see them "soon." That may be a relative term for these two, but after today's show, we wouldn't doubt they can pick things back up whenever they want.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Bonnaroo 2022: Robert Plant, Alison Krauss don't miss a beat, 14 years later