 Rivers Cuomo |
 Kaiser Chiefs |
 Dave Grohl |
Story by Phil Bonyata & Karen Bondowski
With huge, white static filled TV screens surrounding the stage, a black curtain stood tall with colorful blinking lights that revealed the tall shadows of the musicians above dancing on the ceiling. As the first guitar note was struck it quickly changed the mood from anticipation into elation.
Photos of Foo Fighters & Kaiser Chiefs by Karen Bondowski
Photos of Weezer by Phil BonyataAs slow and purposeful guitar chords started ringing out across the arena, the curtain rose to reveal Dave Grohl in a black shirt and jeans and his long, wavy hair that would make any girl jealous and started to sing in a hushed tone. While slowly strumming on his guitar, he approached the mic and began the night with, "In Your Honor." Which is also the title of their newest release, as well as the first track. Dave quietly sung while drummer, Taylor Hawkins and guitarist Chris Shiflett took their places and sent the song into a sharp right turn. Dave suddenly went from angelical to devilish. He screamed with such an unnerving rage and intensity. He was here to free his rock 'n roll soul. No salvation needed here - only redemption. This was a rousing start for the Foo Fighters.
With a few seconds of silence from the band, Dave started to sing "I've got a confession to make..." and then the guitars sung in harmony to compliment the sincerity in the lyrics. "Best of You" was about to be reborn. Each band member maintained a steady, solid rhythm as Dave had his feet and head move in unison to every drum beat. During the middle, it slowed down just a tad and became an entrancing and swirling beat. It was a moving moment.Dave put his feet to the edge of the stage and all it took was a slight movement of his hand to his mouth and one arm outstretched across the expanse of fans, and soon enough, he had enough back-up vocals to last a lifetime.
Other highlights were the muscular and liquid "Hero," "Learn to Fly," "DOA" and "Times Like These." Taking a small break before jumping back in the saddle, Dave took a small survey of what age groups lie in the crowd. Teens? Twenties? And so on until fifty. He seemed a bit surprised to hear a few people cheer on the last one. He asked if anyone had their newest release. Upon some roars from the crowd, a flock of hands were raised high. Dave addresses "that we've been together for ten years now and I'm extremely happy to finally release a double disc." With a big smile stretched from ear to ear, he stated "it's a doozy!" I agree with him.
The Foo Fighters are not only close and connected with each other as a band, but they have a great rapport with their fans as well. Even midway through their set, a long and highly charged guitar duel was fought out between Dave and Chris on "Stacked Actors." The raw power and abandon of the group especially harkened back to the nihilist days of Nirvana. Dirty, angry and dangerous the band's gut-punching assault reminded us all of the essence of rock 'n roll. Dave vanished from sight for awhile, leaving the rest of the fight club on stage. You can still hear him striking chords, but is nowhere to be seen. Then a sudden a rush of excited fans start running away from the stage.Dave emerged at the opposite side of the stadium atop a very tiny stage? With many outstretched hands and bodies trying to get closer to him. He played some choppy stripped down chords and started running full force back to the stage with a single file line of people chasing after him. He took to the stage and stood behind the drumset with the masterful Jason. Together they created a short but punishing tribal dance. Dave as it was obviously shown, has not lost his talent or love for playing the drums. This war was won by not just one, but all involved. As Dave Grohl took his spot back at the mic he exclaimed, "THAT FLOOR IS SLIPPERY!" He had accidently slid into a woman with a full beer and knocked her over to the floor. He then made a sincere and caring apology.
"Monkey Wrench" ended the night with pure sizzle. Greasing the loose chord structure, Chris and Dave again proved that inventive melodies and smoking guitars never felt so good together.
Perennially cool geek Rivers Cuomo, sans his ubiquitous dorky glasses, and the rest of the boys from Weezer were an excellent pick to open-up for The Foo Fighters. Weezer's shiny, happy pop started off with the punchy "Jonas" and then got the ball rolling with "The Other Way" and "Don't Let Go." The fans never seemed to mind the band's sometimes detached performance, but compared to The Strokes live - these guys are like an over caffeinated Iggy Pop.
The Foo Fighters oldie "Big Me" seemed to be an odd choice for the evening, but the spirited rendition was well-received." Still, the band stiffened some of it's melodic charm.
Weezer decided to spike their coffee with an electrically charged version of "A Perfect Situation." The boys soldiered on with their hook-heavy guitar pop, irreverent lyrics and pocket protectors in place on "Say It Aint So," "El Scorcho," "Drugs," "Surfwax," "Undone" and "Hash Pipe."
The lovable awkwardness of Weezer permeated the evening's performance.
English natives The Kaiser Chiefs opened the show with some blistering Brit-pop. Anchored in it's new wave roots the band showed off it's future in nearly stunning fashion. Their music is rife with irresistible hooks, catchy lyrics and fist-pumping choruses. With their fuzzy electro magnetic style they are quickly burning the bridges of their past musical influences (The Buzzcocks, Blur, The Smiths, The Jam) to today's eager fans.
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