"And I wonder
If everything could ever feel this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again
The only thing I'll ever ask of you
You've got to promise not to stop when I say when..."
It is, quite frankly, bordering on criminal that I've not seen the Foo Fighters live until now.
Considering:
-I've been a fan since the beginning...and the Foos have just celebrated a 20th anniversary, so that's a mighty long time (almost half my life in fact!) While watching Dave in braids peddle Footos in parody in the Big Me video didn't really make me think this was a serious ongoing project back in the mid 90s, I was still on board. It was not what you'd expect from a Nirvana alum....but it was nevertheless pretty infectious!
-When "Everlong" was released, it cemented my adoration. (brilliant tune - lyrically and structurally). "All My Life" remains my go-to song when I need to get ramped up. (#1 workout playlist staple - when I'm outta steam and ready to quit, it is literally the only thing that can keep me going another 4:23!)
-when my son was an infant, the only song that would calm him down when in the midst of a "screaming bloody murder" bender was "Monkey Wrench". Put that one on and he'd stop crying immediately and listen. (Damn that kid had good taste in music!) Dave Grohl = Baby whisperer, apparently.
-Dave has been, is, and always will be one of my "holy quartet" in my "Music as Religion". (In the name of Dave, Frank, Matt and Ryan: Amen). I believe that he is one of the most musically talented men alive today...and I'll argue that point with anyone who is willing to take me on. Bring it!
-The closest I've come to a live Foos show (and while equally awesome, was still not the same), was seeing Them Crooked Vultures live with Dave on drums. It was spectacular. He was in full "Animal from the Muppets" mode (in addition to the sweet bonus of those "other two guys" who made up the supergroup). A true joy to watch.
... But it STILL wasn't the Foos.
And so.
It was high time, and I was thrilled to be able to nab tickets to this show back in February. Turns out, it would be no ordinary Foo Fighters show! The Sonic Highways tour, as of last month when Dave fell off the stage in Sweden and broke his leg, was hereinafter christened "the Broken Leg Tour".
But.... How would immobilizing the whirling dervish that is Dave Grohl affect the Foo Fighters' live show?
Would making him sit mess with the high energy of the performance?
After waiting all these years to see them live, would we be disappointed?
Holy Crap No!
The Foo Fighters put on a 3 hour, kick ass thrill ride of a show for us, and only stopped because the venue made them. (Damn that outdoor venue city noise curfew!)
Playing the opening riff of Everlong from behind the Foo Fighters logo emblazoned curtain, Dave revved us all up screaming "Are you Ready?!!!" before the curtain was sucked into the ceiling and we were off!
While Dave's behind was firmly planted in his Throne and healing right booted leg extended and immobilized on its rest, there was clearly no lack of energy flowing out of his free left leg that pumped frantically up and down to the music while he sang, headbanged and played guitar. Multitasker extraordinaire! There was even a point during a particular funky extended guitar solo that he actually played the guitar with his cast boot - amazing! Fair dues to him, the whole band, and his road crew for making the situation work in a highly visually entertaining way. See video of Dave telling the story of the broken leg and how the Throne came to be below. (Trust me - it's worth the 12 and a half minutes, complete with such a wonderfully heartfelt version of Big Me at the end dedicated to the road crew that it filled me with a sense of pure music joy. As mentioned in my intro, this tune has never been a Foo Fighters defining song for me, but something about Taylor's added harmonies and the gentle sincerity of it's presentation hit me right in the feels. Definitely one of my favorite moments (of many) of the show).
So many great moments it's difficult to quantify them (but I'm gonna try....)
I got my live performance of All My Life (AND Monkey Wrench), and they were face meltingly awesome. Also incredibly enjoyable live was the extended performance of "Outside" off the Sonic Highways Album. Gave me a new appreciation for the tune in its completely unrestrained rolling stage jam format. And I have "Breakout" on constant repeat now as a result if its re-introduction to me. Had forgotten about that one!
They also did a bunch of kick ass covers. The band launched into an abridged version of Rush's "Tom Sawyer" during band introductions that also saw the camera pan over to two ladies whom Dave identified as his mom, who just happened to be taking in the rock show with non other than Geddy Lee's Mom. It was fitting as noted by Dave that there were actually more rush shirts in the audience than Foo Fighters shirts (totally true! Had noticed that pre-show). My mind is still blown at seeing these two very conservative and ladylike rockstar moms delicately headbanging along to the music on the overhead screen. As a Queen fan, I'm always apprehensive to see bands attempt to cover one of their tunes as Freddy Mercury can't ever possibly be met vocally, but they cranked out a great "Under Pressure" cover that was set up by Dave saying to us: "If you don't know this song, then we can't be friends". (Amen!) Rounding out the covers was the Foos rendition of "Cinnamon Girl" to celebrate Neil Young, "one of their favorite Canadians", and Taylor taking one of a few turns of the show at vocals for The Faces' "Stay With Me". I really adore Taylor - watching him drum truly fills me with delight, but watching him both sing AND drum is awe inspiring. How in the hell this man can wail on the drums like an absolute maniac while singing (incredibly well I might add) is a feat that makes me go "hell yeah"! (...and as a slightly unrelated aside, I'm still undecided on the winner of the competition on whether Taylor, or Dave, has the better hair. Dave's is thicker and curlier, but Taylor had a fan blowing through his all night. Watching them swing it around is like watching a shampoo commercial - mesmerizingly swishy and shiny! - never fails to amuse me that these grungy rockstars have hair that many a hollywood starlet would envy).
 |
| Pat Smear slaying us with his happiness while Taylor's hair mesmerizes |
In a live show, you always expect things to be a bit less polished than the album and this show was no exception. I found that the vocals, in particular, were a little rough around the edges and when Dave wasn't able to hit a note or maintain breath control on fast paced lyrics, he'd let out a scream as a substitute. This was to be expected of course, and didn't detract from the overall effect of the show (in fact, got the audience riled up)! Every member of the band is so fucking good, and I actually found my attention being drawn away frequently from the Dave and Taylor show to focus on Pat Smear. Wow is this man ever in his happy place on stage! (not sure if it was something he was smokin' or a true joy of playing or both, but his big goofy grin was completely contagious!) Shhhh, don't tell anyone, but I will admit to falling a little bit in musical love with him throughout the evening.
While my adoration of the Foos has everything to do with high energy rock anthems, I will say, that I was thrilled when Dave got off his throne to come out on the catwalk on crutches with Pat and Chris for a slowed down acoustic set consisting of "My Hero" and "Times Like These." It was a true moment of connection with the audience - we were all 100% with him. Standing in a sea of 15,000 people where you are all singing together in solidarity is one of the reasons I love a live show. Amazing. I'm so glad to have finally seen them live.
I've actually had a few (vehement, yet respectful) arguments about Dave Grohl in the last few years with several of my fellow music buddies. Some feel he's overexposed. An attention whore. And wish he'd "just go away already" because they're tired of him being absolutely everywhere, all the freakin' time.
Sigh....
True. He really *has* been a constant in all forms of media..... But here's the way I *think* it goes with Dave Grohl.... I really believe in my heart of hearts that he's a simply huge music geek.
You know those Dungeons and Dragons nerds who dress up as hobbits to go to Comicon? Spend all their money on action figures? Study the different fictional worlds and can "random fact" you with their knowledge limitlessly? Could literally exchange ideas for days on the subject matter and never stop being excited by it? Yeah?
I truly think Dave Grohl is the music version of this. I don't think he can really help but BE all over the place when it comes to music because he's just bursting with the love of it. I don't think it's self promotion, but rather, his overlove of the art. He loves the history. He loves the playing and performing. He loves creating and promoting. He loves the collaboration. He loves the people who love it along with him. There's a whole lot of love there, and when you love something that much, it's damned near impossible to keep it on the down low!
Personally, I respect that (...and relate to it. Nerds are "my people"). Look... it's far more attractive to me as a fan to embrace such unbridled excitement, than to attempt to appreciate those musicians who are too cool to show up on time for a show, or who only play for an hour and pretty much phone it in, or don't give back to their fan base or have any respect for them, or charge ridiculous amounts of money for tickets and/or merch, or are indifferent to the collective art form outside of what they themselves produce. As far as I'm concerned? If loving and appreciating Dave Grohl's supreme enthusiasm for all things music is wrong, well, I don't wanna be right.
And having said that, it's about f-ing time he was given a Throne (too bad it was under these circumstances!). Like him, hate him, no matter - he's been a constant staple in music for decades and is a true champion of the art.... he really needs be given his due as a member of Rock Royalty. (And just goes to show there is no keeping the Foo Fighters down no matter what the obstacle! As said by Dave: "I don't like cancelling shows. I like my job! I wanna play! I don't wanna call in sick!")
Thanks fellas! Please come back soon!
Set List
Everlong
Monkey Wrench
Learn to Fly
Something From Nothing
The Pretender
Big Me
Congregation
Walk
I'm the One (Van Halen cover) (snippet played during band introduction)
Another One Bites the Dust (Queen cover) (snippet played during band introduction)
Tom Sawyer (Rush cover) (snippet played during band introduction)
Cold Day in the Sun
My Hero (Acoustic)
Times Like These (Acoustic)
Under Pressure (Queen & David Bowie cover)
All My Life
These Days
Outside
Breakout
Arlandria
Cinnamon Girl (Neil Young cover)
This Is a Call
Stay With Me (Faces cover)
Aurora
Best of You
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