There are nights at a concert venue that you sense in your bones will be unforgettable. Saturday, September 13, 2025 was one of those nights at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater — or as fans fondly call it, The House that Koplik Built. It was the kind of evening where you didn’t just get one headliner, you got two. Steve Winwood and Tedeschi Trucks Band gave us a double-dose of history, soul, and pure musical magic.
From the moment I drove in, things felt right. The parking staff was efficient and courteous; box office faces smiled and helped; every employee working the Amphitheater, from concession to backstage, seemed genuinely happy to be there — informative, friendly, and cheering you into the place. And the food choices! I highly recommend grabbing the “Puff Dog” from Walter’s Hot Dog Truck — the name alone charms you, but the taste seals it. Even the front of the venue pays homage to history, with the iconic Guitar Man from the old New Haven Coliseum greeting fans. This was more than a concert; it was an event.
Stephen Lawrence “Steve” Winwood was born May 12, 1948, in Birmingham, England. A prodigy: by his early teens he was already singing in church choir, playing piano and organ, learning guitar, bass, and drums. At age 15 he dropped out of school to join the Spencer Davis Group. His voice, his keyboard-work, his soul-filled energy helped the band score early hits with “Gimme Some Lovin’,” “I’m a Man,” and “Keep on Running.”
Full gallery of Steve Winwood photos from this night by Joel Shover here.
In 1967 he co-founded Traffic, a group that would explore psychedelic rock, folk, R&B, and jazz-inflected sounds. Albums like John Barleycorn Must Die and The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys became landmarks. He then joined the short-lived supergroup Blind Faith with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker, adding another chapter.
Then came his solo career beginning in 1977. He broke through further with Arc of a Diver (1980), producing hits like “While You See a Chance.” His 1986 album Back in the High Life was a commercial high point, with “Higher Love” becoming an anthem.
Over the decades, Steve Winwood has sold over 50 million records, won multiple Grammy Awards, been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (with Traffic, in 2004), collected honors including the Ivor Novello for Outstanding Song Collection, and has continued touring and performing with the same clarity, passion, and musicianship that made him a legend.
On a personal note, I was fortunate enough to see Steve in 1994 when he toured with Traffic and the Grateful Dead at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Even then, his voice, musicianship, and stage presence stood tall next to one of the greatest live acts in history. To witness him again now — decades later — only reaffirmed that his artistry is timeless.
As the golden late-summer light gave way to dusk, Steve Winwood walked onstage, not as an opener, but as a legend in full command. He opened with “Glad,” the jazzy Traffic instrumental, immediately setting the tone: sharp, rhythmic, and alive. From there he slipped into “Can’t Find My Way Home,” his haunting Blind Faith ballad, and suddenly the crowd was hushed, swaying, hanging on each note.
Winwood then shifted gears with “Why Can’t We Live Together,” his voice still carrying that soulful urgency that makes the song timeless. “I’m A Man” reminded us of his Spencer Davis Group beginnings, organ roaring as the audience clapped along. “Forty Thousand Headmen” and “Roll With It” kept the night flowing, mixing deep cuts and solo hits with ease.
When he moved into “Back in the High Life Again,” the crowd lit up — a unifying moment of nostalgia and joy. That was followed by the Traffic classic “Dear Mr. Fantasy,” a song that felt almost like a prayer under the open New England sky. The set built toward its climax with “Higher Love,” Winwood’s Grammy-winning anthem, his falsetto soaring as the band powered behind him. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, he closed with “Gimme Some Lovin’,” the entire amphitheater on its feet, dancing, shouting, and celebrating.
This was not an opening act. This was a full concert unto itself!
After a quick set change, it was time for the Tedeschi Trucks Band — a group that doesn’t just take the stage, they own it. But before a single note rang out, you could feel the weight of who was about to walk on.
On one side is Derek Trucks, a slide guitar prodigy who started touring professionally at age 12, later becoming the youngest member of the Allman Brothers Band and earning a Grammy with them in 2009. Named by Rolling Stone as one of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time,” his tone is unmistakable — fluid, fiery, and soulful enough to stop you in your tracks.
On the other side is Susan Tedeschi, a blues force of nature. Since her breakout 1998 album Just Won’t Burn, she’s been a Grammy-nominated singer and guitarist with a voice that balances raw power and gospel warmth. She’s toured with everyone from B.B. King to the Rolling Stones, holding her own with the greats while carving out her own space as one of the finest voices in modern blues and soul.
Together, they don’t just lead a band — they command a 12-piece ensemble that feels more like a traveling orchestra of roots music. Since forming in 2010, the Tedeschi Trucks Band has collected Grammys, sold out festivals, and built a reputation as one of the most vital live acts of this era. Derek’s searing guitar lines and Susan’s commanding vocals form the twin flames at the heart of the band, making every performance equal parts history lesson and revelation.
Full gallery of photos of TTB from this night by Joel Shover photography located here.
And with that, they kicked into high gear — launching with “The Letter,” a Box Tops cover that let Susan’s voice roar over the tight horn section. “I Got You” and “Who Am I” followed, grooves deepening as Derek’s slide wove through the melodies like liquid fire…
Halfway through, the band turned to their mastery of reinterpretation: a fiery take on Prince’s “D.M.S.R.,” the soulful “Part of Me,” and Ben E. King’s aching “It Ain’t Fair.” Each song felt like both a tribute and a reinvention. “Idle Wind” stretched into a full jam, Derek’s guitar soaring into the stratosphere, before the famous drum duet carried it into its reprise.
The heart of the set came with Susan’s own “Just Won’t Burn,” raw and emotional, followed by “Future Soul” and “Let Me Get By.” Then came the nod to tradition — Dylan’s “Down in the Flood,” Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery,” and Garcia’s “Sugaree.” For anyone who remembered Winwood’s days touring with the Dead, this was a spiritual connection across decades.
The final stretch brought it home: a soaring saxophone solo led into “Midnight in Harlem,” one of the band’s signature songs, before “Made Up Mind” and “I Want More” closed the set proper. And then came the encore — a rousing, communal “With a Little Help From My Friends.” The entire crowd sang, arms raised, voices blending, a perfect capstone to a night of two concerts for the price of one.
The evening at The House that Koplik Built was more than just another tour stop — it was a reminder of how music lives across generations. Steve Winwood showed us that his artistry remains as vibrant as ever, bridging decades with every note. Tedeschi Trucks Band picked up that torch and ran with it, mixing their own catalog with deep-rooted covers, crafting a set that felt equal parts history lesson and celebration.
Leaving the amphitheater, full of sound and soul (and maybe a Puff Dog or two), you couldn’t help but feel grateful. Nights like these don’t come around often: when legends and torchbearers share the same stage, and the audience gets to walk away richer for it.
The Road Goes on Forever……..
Go See Live Music…..
Till The Next Show…….Joel
To submit an article an article or review, or to just say hello hit us at [email protected]
Also- check out the search feature in the upper right hand corner and search for your favorite artist, event, venue or genre. You’ll be surprised at what you find!
Check out the Live Music News and Review.com Facebook page for updates and announcements.
