Concert Review: Foo Fighters at Fenway
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
Concert Review: Foo Fighters at Fenway
Indeed, comments from Kiss front man Gene Simmons last year and Irish firebrand Sinead O’Connor last week suggest that some are ready to declare Rock and Roll dead. With other genres experiencing more commercial success, it’s become fashionable for pundits to write off Rock. Sunday’s raucous Foo Fighter’s show proved them wrong.
One of the most popular bands of the past 20 years, the Foo Fighters are a act built for stadium rock - with screaming guitars, power chords and iconic posing. On the second night of a two night Fenway stopover, Grohl’s workmanlike manner, combined with his ability to turn it on fast, proves beyond a doubt that Rock and Roll is in damn fine shape.
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Royal Blood, a two piece British ensemble sounding a lot like The White Stripes meets The Black Keys, opened the show. On a hot humid evening, the bass drum combo of Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher served as a nice warm up for the main acts ahead.
Next up, Dropkick Murphys, a Fenway institution and undisputed all time leader for concerts at the ballpark, brought their game face. In non-stop action, they rocked the house with a number of their hits including “The Boys are Back,” “Tessie,” and “Rose Tattoo.” The latter was dedicated to the five Marines killed last week in Chattanooga, including Murphy’s fan Thomas Sullivan of Springfield, MA.
A strong closing with Fenway favorites “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” and “Dirty Water,” were reminders of how the Murphys are part of the fabric of the city. I've seen the band a few times and continue to be impressed with their post punk sensibilities – small hall or packed stadium, they rock from the heart and that's all you can ask.
The Main Act
The Foo Fighters opened with “Everlong,” a power rocker and one of the groups most recognizable songs. Other early show highlights included fan favorites “The Pretender,” “Up in Arms” and “Congregation.” The band does a great job connecting with the locals, at one point playing the well known opening chords to “Let’s Go,” the 80’s classic by The Cars.
Grohl, who recently broke his leg in a well publicized fall at a show in Sweden, played through the pain, even designing a special “throne” for performances. He shared the story of his accident, along with an x-ray showing the damage. In what has already become a legendary concert moment, he invited his orthopedic doctor, Lew Schon, onstage to join the band in a cover of The White Stripes rocker “Seven Nation Army.” Dr. Schon charmed the crowd with his stage antics and quirky vocals.
Next up was a brief acoustic set featuring “Times Like These” and ”My Hero,” with Grohl accompanied by guitarists Pat Smear and Chris Schiflett. Although thunderstorms threatened, and rumors of an early finish were everywhere, the light rain that fell was actually quite welcome on a hot and humid night.
Covers and Originals
The band pulled out a couple more covers including the Queen/Bowie classic “Under Pressure,” which featured drummer Taylor Hawkins on lead vocals. Another nod to classic rock was a roaring version “School’s Out” the 1971 Alice Cooper anthem with guest Sully Erna of Boston based Godsmack on vocals. Needless to say, 35,000+ fans joined in a blissful sing-a-long.
By practice, there are no formal encores at Foo shows – “we play until we can’t play anymore,” proclaimed Grohl. So the show ended strong, with commanding versions of “This is a Call” and “Best of You.” Even with his broken leg, Grohl is a powerhouse, full of boundless energy which rapidly spreads to the rest of the band.
A Foo Fighters concert is what you’d expect from a rock show, part of a proud tradition and one with many more bright days ahead. As Roger Daltry would say “Long Live Rock!”
Ken Abrams review Roots, Rock and Blues for GoLocal. E-mail him here.
10 "Don't Miss" Acts at Newport Folk
Roger Waters
Roger Waters needs no introduction. He’s the well known co-founder of Pink Floyd, simply one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time. He’s planning a special show on Friday designed specifically for the Newport Folk Festival. His set begins at 6:30 PM on the Fort Stage. It should be pretty spectacular.
Calexico
Calexico is a critically acclaimed Americana band that blurs the boundaries between Folk, Rock, and Tejano creating a sound with a unique Tex-Mex vibe. The core of the band is made up of songwriter/lead vocalist Joey Burns and drummer Jon Convertino. They’ve been together almost 20 years and return to the Festival with an impressive new release Edge of the Sun. Catch them Friday on the Quad Stage at 2:50 PM.
Haunt The House
Festival rookies and local favorites Haunt the House will bring intense songwriting and organic harmonies to the Harbor Stage on Friday. We are anticipating a break out performance from one of Rhode Island’s top Americana/Folk acts, led by Will Houlihan. Get there early Friday as they are officially the first band on the Harbor Stage beginning at 11:00 AM.
Heartless Bastards
Cincinnati’s Heartless Bastards are a garage rock band making their first festival appearance this year. The band, often compared to The Black Keys, is led by female vocalist Erica Wennerstrom. They’re scheduled to play the Harbor Stage on Friday at 5:00 PM. For more Bastards, check out their rockin’ new release Restless Ones.
Courtney Barnett
The award for lyric of the year so far for 2015 goes to Aussie upstart Courtney Barnett who channels Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues, the ghost of Kurt Cobain and the edgy sincerely of Liz Phair.
“Put me on a pedestal and I’ll only disappoint you. Tell me I’m exceptional I promise to exploit you. “
The lyrics from “Pedestrian at Best,” a tune from her critically acclaimed new album Sometimes I Sit and Think, Sometimes I Just Sit. She’s got a folky acoustic side to balance her grungy rock sound. Don’t miss her on the Quad stage Saturday at 2:55 PM.
Jason Isbell
Jason Isbell may be the best songwriter in America right now. His story telling is eloquent and his characters are gut real. Clearly, his deep Alabama roots connect him to the great American singer-songwriter tradition. He returns to Newport Saturday with his new release Something More than Free, out a week before the festival. Catch him on the Fort Stage at 2:35 PM.
Leon Bridges
Leon Bridges just oozes classic R&B. He’ll bring some Memphis Soul to the Quad Stage at 1:35 PM on Friday. He’s got it all – good looks, retro inspired threads, and a smooth voice reminiscent of Sam Cooke or Otis Redding. Hear more on his new album Coming Home and check him out at Newport!
Hozier
Hozier made a big splash on the Harbor Stage at the 2014 Folk Fest just before he was “discovered” the mainstream media and the public. (We told you he was going places...) He’s become a superstar over the past year behind his award winning anthem “Take Me to Church.” Don’t be surprised if he is joined once again by the Berklee Gospel and Roots Choir, a festival highlight last year. He plays the Fort Stage at 4:45 PM Sunday.
Jon Batiste & Stay Human
New Orleans native Jon Batiste and will be playing both Newport Folk and Newport Jazz this year, only the second act ever to play both festivals. (The Preservation Hall Jazz Band did it in 2012.) Batiste has had quite a run since last year’s Jazz Festival, as he was recently announced as the new bandleader for the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Don’t miss his set Sunday on the Fort Stage at 12:40 PM – you’ll see what all the buzz is about.
'65 Revisited
There is a lot of excitement this year for the final event on Sunday dubbed “65 Revisited.” The event will commemorate the night Bob Dylan “went electric” stunning the Folk crowd 50 years ago. Surprise guests are expected, but there is little to no chance that Dylan will appear. (Although the Festival claims that an invitation is extended every year.) Dylan has never been the sentimental type to say the least. We’ll tweet the surprise guest(s) as soon as we hear. It starts at 6PM Sunday.
