“They say as you get older, you’re supposed to progress. And yet, here I am playing a fucking bowling alley all over again,” Robert Plant quipped early on in his tour-closing, midnight set at the Brooklyn Bowl. The Led Zeppelin frontman was correct in identifying the intimate environment, as he stuck mostly to large theaters on this tour like the Capitol Theatre, Chicago’s Riviera Theater and the Hollywood Palladium. This night, however, found Plant performing like a club musician: Hungry and a whole lot to prove.

While most fans in attendance, many of whom gladly forked over the $125 ticket price to be there, clamored for the takes on Zeppelin’s classics (Plant has peppered the beginning of shows on this tour with the likes of “No Quarter” and “Ramble On,” among others), tonight would be just a bit different.

Opening with a prog-rock take on Howlin’ Wolf’s “Spoonful,” which delved into a dark, broody instrumental led by Plant’s band The Sensational Space Shifters, Plant would make those yearning for Zeppelin wait as he also offered up his new, poppy single “Rainbow” and Mighty Rearranger‘s “Tin Pan Valley.” Then, it was time. “Are you ready for a folk song?,” Plant asked to a roar of applause, like they knew what was coming. The opening riff of “Thank You” from Led Zeppelin II sent the crowd into hysterics, the first of many boisterous reactions from the audience on this night.

Plant, now 66, hasn’t lost a step in the vocal department, maintaining complete control of his voice even on the Zeppelin songs that were written when he was a much younger (but probably equally as energetic) 20-something. The gorgeous “Going to California” duet with guitarist Justin Adams that came later proved the timeless nature of his voice and the material, as the crowd seemed to drown out the singer at various points. Speaking of Adams and the Sensational Space Shifters, there aren’t enough words to properly explain their significance. The task, as you’d expect, is a difficult one as they not only try to push forward creatively with new songs from their latest …lullaby and the Ceaseless Roar but also oblige to Plant’s past by performing select Zeppelin material.

To their credit, Adams and guitarist Skin Tyson don’t try to be Jimmy Page. They don’t have to be. They stay right in their lane, offering up straight-ahead rock takes on some of the material as well as adding their world music-tinge to others. Most notably, “Black Dog,” which featured a funky arrangement led by West African multi-instrumentalist Juldeh Camara. Plant simply beamed as Camara played the iconic riff on a riti, a single-string fiddle, while he led the crowd on the signature vocal line.

The last 30 minutes of the show proved to be the most thrilling and engaging, which is surprising for a man up well past his bedtime. Then again, bedtimes aren’t that rock and roll. A cover of Bukka White’s “Fixin’ to Die” and a closing take on “Rock and Roll” provided the crowd with some bare bones rock and roll before Plant and his band ducked away for a brief encore break.

The singer would return, all smiles, to kick off a three-song encore by dedicating Blind Willie Johnson’s “Nobody’s Fault but Mine” to the great Mavis Staples before a take on “Little Maggie.” The closing number, Muddy Waters’ “Hoochie Coochie Man,” ignited one last burst of fury from Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters. And as it turned out, the ensemble had one final Zeppelin bomb to drop as guitarist Skin Tyson launched into “Whole Lotta Love,” sending the crowd into a frenzy. Plant twirled and slammed his mic stand to the stage (as he did throughout the night), leaning into the powerful vocals with relative and surprising ease. At 1:45 AM, as the band took their final bow, it was the 66-year-old who had the most energy in the room, outlasting all of the 20 and 30-somethings.

Walking out of the venue, many were already appreciating the gravity of the moment. One man looked to his friend with a smile, saying, “Now all we need is Zeppelin.” Agreed.

Here’s a look at the setlist:

Robert Plant

Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn, New York

Spoonfull, Rainbow, Tin Pan Valley, Thank You, Poor Howard, Going to California, Turn it Up, Black Dog, Fixin’ to Die, Rock and Roll

Encore: Nobody’s Fault but Mine, Little Maggie, Hoochie Coochie Man > Whole Lotta Love > Who Do You Love