BOSTON, MA | The West and East coast collided Saturday night as Los Angeles based Red Hot Chili Peppers raged a sold out Fenway Park into a frenzy long into the night.
This 2022 Global Stadium Tour is extra special for fans as it is the first time guitarist John Frusciante has toured with the band in more than a decade. Drummer Chad Smith ceremoniously struck a giant gold gong as the band opened their set with a raucous five minute long jam. Instantly RHCP were in full force, tightly connecting and bringing all of Fenway along for the ride.
Flea’s adrenaline-fueled playing and jumping around on stage made it especially evident how excited the guys were to return to Boston together as a band. During this last decade when Frusciante was away, each member had continued to play passionately with a connection to their music. Tonight that connection was still there, but it was elevated by a deeper bond found between lifelong band members.
By mixing the set list up on this tour, fans didn’t know what to expect next. The band was met with a roar from the crowd as the first few notes rang out on hits “Dani California” and “Suck my Kiss.” RHCP played songs spanning from all albums released with one of Rolling Stone top 100 guitarists of all time, Frusciante.
Fenway Park erupted with the beginning of “Give It Away” and the crowd was overcome with emotion during the touching “The Heavy Wing,” off the latest release Unlimited Love. Fans were entertained by a kaleidoscope of images on a large screen display that curled up over the band and below them, giving the appearance they were riding a wave.
A highlight for concertgoer Rick Duquette of Rhode Island was how RHCP opened their set with “Around the World.” “Californication was my first album and this was the first song off of it,” “Only Chad Smith on drums can distract me from Flea on bass.”
Frontman Anthony Kiedis took time before “Scar Tissue” to share how thankful he was for Flea and how much he loves him.There was joy and love expressed between each Chili Pepper at multiple moments on stage this night—grateful for the opportunity to share their music with the world as a band once again.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers 2022 Global Stadium Tour has taken them around the EU, UK, and North America and this leg was supported by very special guests St. Vincent and Thundercat. Triple Grammy award winning St. Vincent rocked Fenway Park with a blend of art rock and pop supported by a full band and background vocalists. Thundercat impressed the crowd with his custom six string bass and mixing styles of funk, jazz, and psychedelia.
This tour wraps up with a stop in Florida and Texas this month.
