Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic was at a Foo Fighters show earlier this month and claimed via Twitter that Dave Grohl and company are “The Best Band In the World!” After seeing the show live for myself last week, I would easily support that claim.
The Foo Fighters have sold over 10 million albums in the United States alone and 30 million albums Worldwide. A combination of their 2oth anniversary and the continued support of their latest masterpiece Sonic Highways is the reason for this season. But, one slight misstep in Sweden almost ruined it all. But that’s not Grohl’s style.
Instead the workingman’s rock ‘n’ roller rolled with the punches and renamed the tour the “Broken Leg Tour,” not missing a beat. But how does one translate such an energetic stage presence into a sit down performance? In a custom-built moving throne of course, which he claims to have designed himself while on painkillers in the hospital.
Grohl ruled the stage in his throne and sported a leg-bracing boot while rocking out uncontrollably during the entire two-hour set. It’s was part hits-a-palooza and part history lesson as the Foos cranked through 20 years worth of stellar material all supplemented by Grohl’s wicked sense of humor and adoration of his fans. This guy knows where he came from and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a rock star of his magnitude that connects so well with such an enormous crowd.
And how about the opener? Gary Clark Jr. walked out on stage as if 22,000 plus people had any doubt that he was not going to blow their fucking minds. There are very few people on the planet who can play guitar like Clark Jr. Stevie Ray Vaughan, Hendrix, you can count them on one hand, well less than one hand. The guy has nothing to prove but plays like he’s constantly in a battle with the devil for his soul.
His new album The Story of Sonny Boy Slim is absolutely brilliant and the fact that he opened up the set with “City Lights” assured me that everyone in that venue did know his name by the end of the night.
GARY CLARK JR.
Bottom line: in the words of the great Dee Snyder, you can’t stop rock ‘n’ roll. Dave Grohl is going to single-handedly carry the torch for all of rock ‘n’ roll humankind. Thanks buddy.
Check out hi res photos in the gallery here.
