FOO FIGHTERS – IZOD Center, NJ – 26th September 2011

As mentioned in my review of, Foo Fighters latest album, ‘Wasting Light’ back in April (http://scoaustin.blogspot.com/2011/04/album-review-foo-fighters-wasting-light.html), I would not consider myself to be a massive, Foo Fighters fan, but I’m slowly and surely being turned in to one. Don’t get me wrong, I have long appreciated the abilities of this talented bunch, not to mention their longevity in the game, but this was my first experience of the Foos live and the certainly extended my appreciation. This was the first leg of their, ‘Wasting Light’ tour and the impressive, IZOD Center in New Jersey was a more than capable setting for the rock show it was to host on this particular evening. My gig friend and I pre gamed a little too long to see support bands, ‘Mariachi El Bronx’ and, ‘Chicago's Rise Against’, but the baying crowd were suitably warmed up when we got to our seats in almost in tandem with when the Foos took to the stage.

With the excitement at fever pitch, the opening razor sharp chords of ‘Bridge Burning’ were struck in complete darkness before drummer, Hawkins, and guitarists, Shiflett, Smear, Mendel and lead man, Grohl converged to play this fiery introduction.  Grohl headbanged feverishly as a curtain of several screens rose and the strobe lights shimmered before, Grohl shrilled, "These are my famous last WO-O-O-RDS!". The, Foo Fighters had arrived and the touch paper was lit. The first song from, ‘Wasting Light’ was swiftly followed by the second in, ‘Rope’ and the crowd were gripped.

We went back to 2007’s, ‘Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace’ for ‘The Pretender’ which was fantastically delivered by, Grohl and it was clear that he was enjoying this show (when does he never). ‘My Hero’ from, ‘Skin And Bones’ followed with an audience solo on the chorus in which the majority participated – “There goes my hero, watch him as he goes…there goes my hero, he’s ordinary!” Grohl completely controls the crowd in a manner in which a conductor controls his orchestra. He closes out this ballad with an intense jam with drummer and best friend, Taylor Hawkins before a delightful rendition of, ‘Learn to Fly’ and the raucous, ‘White Limo’ from the present day. One of my favourites from the current album, ‘Arlandria’ seemed to soften the mood nicely before the song explodes in to life almost unannounced. ‘Breakdown’ was up next, and from our vantage point, just behind the stage, we had an amazing view of the talents of drummer, Hawkins. He’s as skinny as a garden rake with his spine and rib cage visible through his skin, but he has the energy and immense talents to work through what must be a grueling set for a drummer.

At this point, the classy, Grohl took some time out to give his vocal chords and band members a well earned break. His connection with the audience was both effortless and charming. On a good few occasions, he asked for the house lights to be switched on so he could “see the people”. At one point upon seeing a few of the younger ones in the audience glued to their seats, he mimicked them - "No, no. I understand. It's too tiring to stand up and listen to rock music. Relax! Just relax. Sit down!" and quipped, “lazy ass mo%^3r fcu$3%$ can't stand up for rock concert”. Grohl then went on to introduce the band and share in something of a Taylor-Dave appreciation society before the drummer went on to sing, ‘Cold Day in The Sun’ also from ‘Skin And Bones’.

‘Stacked Actors’ was effectively a 12 minute long jam out comprising a guitar solo fight between, Shiflett and, Grohl that was gripping to say the least (Dave’s stage coming up midway through the battle). Meanwhile, bass player, Mendel was chilling out and puffing on a cigarette alongside the sound technicians. The sensational, ‘Walk’, another of my favourites from the current album, sounded so good live. This band is laden with class and each member looks so comfortable in their role. Quite simply, they know how good they are, they embrace it and they express it in an array of quality songs.

‘Monkeywrench’ from, ‘The Colour and the Shape’ again had the crowd in raptures with Grohl’s delivery and animated fist pumping in the epic category. ‘Let It Die’ kicked in with a dancey, trippy vibe, but it wasn’t long before the rock took over and Grohl was moshing away once more. Prior to going into the soft, sweet and somewhat reflecting, ‘These Days’, Grohl brought out his old, ‘Nirvana’ friend and bassist, Krist Novoselic to play accordion. Needless to say, the fans showed their appreciation at having three former, ‘Nirvana’ band members on stage. I’m a tad surprised that Krist didn’t get an extended welcome to play bass on the following track, ‘I Should Have Known’ as he did on the album. Perhaps he wasn’t comfortable in doing so…he did appear a little timid and overawed by the whole occasion.

Grohl, then introduced the first song from the first, Foo Fighters record, ‘This Is A Call’ which later morphed in to, ‘Pink Floyds’, ‘In The Flesh’. This became something of a rock opera of a tune. Now it was time for the evenings biggest crowd rock moment with the fantastic, ‘All My Life’. That opening guitar riff sending shivers down my spine, it’s no wonder the headbanging commenced and the fists were flying in the air in an energetic mosh pit. “Done, done and on to the next one…” This was certainly a highlight and I simply don’t know how Grohl can pull this energy and vocals off night after night on tour...I think the rafters at IZOD are still vibrating. The band walked of stage, but they were by no mean done with a seven song encore to follow. There was a pretty cool gimmick with, Grohl and, Hawkins appearing in night vision on the big screens apparently bidding for how many songs they would play on the encore. They agreed on six, but played seven. This band love what they are doing and seemed willing to play all night. They certainly have enough songs in their repertoire to achieve that.

‘Long Road To Ruin’, ‘Best of You’ and, ‘Times Like These’ were played solo by, Grohl on an acoustic guitar at the rear stage for the nosebleed seats where, Grohl joked, “you thought you had $h!^*y seats…now you're front row. ‘Best of You’ was sensational and displayed the lead man’s ability to hit the notes on softer songs having just played a fierce set prior. ‘Times Like These’ was preceded by a cute little story by, Grohl - "For the first time in my life I ever pulled up to a Foo Fighters show and people were tailgating. It was the first time I'd ever seen that at a Foo Fighters show. And I was psyched, because it made me feel like 'Oh my God, I've arrived. There's people tailgating at MY rock concert!"  

‘Dear Rosemary’ which I am sure is a tribute to my Auntie, Rosie is another great track from the current album as, Grohl and Co work to take things down a little. We are then treated to an absorbing version of, Tom Petty’s, ‘Breakdown’ before something of a surprise in, ‘Skin & Bones’ from the like titled album and then the standard closer in, ‘Everlong’. Despite it being late on a Monday night, a very small amount of the sellout crowd made their way for the exits and that’s a testament to this phenomenal live act. From the outset, they slated the hour/hour and a half set long performers and promised the audience they would play long. They delivered with a two and a half/three hour set that was a joy to see and hear with the majority of, ‘Wasting Light’ well accompanied by a subtle mix of older tracks from years gone by. Sixteen years of playing live shows to avid fans around the globe does not come easily. This is a band that work hard, consistently deliver sublime results and are reaping the rewards. The music is at the heavier end of my scale, but cast that aside, you must see the, ‘Foo Fighters’ live…it’s that simple. Rating 8.5/10

Set List:
Bridge burning
Rope
The Pretender
My Hero

Learn to Fly

White Limo
Arlandria

Breakout
Cold Day in The Sun

Stacked Actors

Walk
Monkeywrench
Let It Die
These Days
I Should Have Known
This Is A Call (Pink Floyds, ‘In The Flesh’)
All My Life

Encore:
 

Long Road To Ruin
Best of You
Times Like These
Dear Rosemary
Breakdown (Tom Petty)
Skin & Bones
Everlong