Walking through the hallways of the Wachovia Spectrum, a sense of history lingered through the photos of all of the amazing musicians, athletes, and performers that have graced the arena in south Philadelphia. However, recent talks about removing the venue shadow many of those memories, but there is one thing for sure, Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters came to tear down the walls a bit early.
Foo Fighters, coming off of their Grammy winning performance and first ever trip to Madison Square Garden, showed why they are at the top of their game. With the support of Against Me! and Serj Tankian, the night began on the right foot.
The Florida based rock band Against Me! was a pleasant surprise for most fans that showed up hours early in the freezing cold weather to make their way upfront for the main act. Barely hearing a note of Against Me! before this night, I can see why this band is up and coming, and doing it in a fast way. Led by guitarist/vocalist Tom Gabel, the punk could be felt through the fast riffs and piercing voice of the energized frontman (and the hard-hitting drum work of the animated Warren Oakes, I can still feel the kickdrum in my chest!) Although the sense of a folk style rock could be sensed through their rough style, a fresh sense of energy was felt through every note of this quick opening set from the four piece powerset.
Against ME! paved the way for the a much anticipated set for me from Serj Tankian and the FCC. After seeing the frontman of System of A Down a few months back in Philly, I thought I knew what I was about t to get, but to my surprise, it was even better than imagined. Maybe it was the feel of the big stage or the excitement of another big night opening for the Foos. But whatever it was, it was not disappointing by any means. The FCC, led by Primus Guitarist Larry LaLonde, provided the sideshow for the poetic political style of Tankian, who draws you in with his quirky top hat, white suit and glaring stares. From the opening note of “The Unthinking Majority” the arena started to fill with more and more raw energy. Running through “Empty Walls” and “Lies Lies Lies” before being escorted out of the photo pit, the zany antics of Serj never fail to prove that this is not just a musician. He is a performer, a professional, an actor of sorts, but most important, a true style like no other in the music world.
Finally the time come for what Philadelphia (and myself) was so electric about on this night. On the two hour trip up from my town in Maryland, I flipped through the radio stations to find almost every station talking about Foo Fighters making their way to the “City of Brotherly Love.” Not being one to listen to the radio much , I could feel the excitement through the airwaves and felt more like a fan on this night, than a photographer.
Through chants of “Dave, Dave,Dave” and “FOO, FOO, FOO” the lights dropped and the fun began. Knowing the setlist before the show started wasn’t a buzzkill at all. “Let It Die” is a great opening number. I must admit, this is my favorite song off of the Grammy winning Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace. The flow of a ballad to the heart thumping kickdrum of Taylor Hawkins got the blood flowing in the sold out crowd. Leading in the single, “Pretender.” I felt a little burned out on this number. Although it was pleasing to hear, it set up the way for plenty of the hits.
“Times Like These” started the sing-along. Although great to hear, it wasn’t until “Stacked Actors” when things really got interesting. As the loop of “Skin and Bones” led the band to an uplifting stage, fans at the back of the venue got a nice treat as the Grohl let them know they were “here for you!”
Starting with Rami Jaffee, the introduction of the band was given by the frontman. Jessy Greene, Chris Shiflett, Nate Mendel, Taylor Hawkins and Pat Smear would get their time in the light. The banter seemed more like a question and answer forum than a rock concert. A lot of laughter and good times had by the whole band relaxed everyone for the the set of acoustic numbers. Taylor Hawkins questioned about a Grateful Dead 53 shows banner that got the crowd involved. Wanting to know who was there for that show, you could tell by the lack of applause, the ages of the fans in the room. A mixture of old and young alike, the only band that mattered this night was the Foo Fighters. But once the dust was settled from the looseness of the band, it was back to business with a amazing run through of “But Honestly” and “Everlong” that showed the rockstar power of Grohl to move an entire arena with his crushing lyrics and powerful chords.
“Monkeywrench” went into a raging “All My Life” with the thick bass grooves of Mendel, ended the show with the appropriate thoughts. Done, done, and onto the next one! After the three song encore, I couldn’t help but think, if the Spectrum keeps its doors open, maybe the walls will have a photo of one of the best rock bands of our time, Foo Fighters.
Setlist
Let it die
Pretender
Times Like These
Breakout
Learn to Fly
Cheer up Boys
Stacked Actors
Skin and bones
Marigold
My Hero
Cold Day
But Honestly
Everlong
Monkeywrench
All My Life
Big Me
