Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Messing with the Foo Fighters




Band: Foo Fighters with support Kaki King and The Mess Hall
Venue: Rod Laver Arena
Date: 26th April 2008
Reviewed By: Lyn Harder
Photographs By: Mark Geisel

We arrived early to find Kaki King from NYC playing amazing slide guitar with groovy back beats. I was quite blown away with her sound, reminded me of John Butler Trio, but without the singing! The Mess Hall (Sydney), an awesome two piece band started with grunt. A nice big white sheet with their name painted on it was the back drop, effective without the cost! Set list includes ‘pils’ and the rock beat song ‘pulse’ then ‘metal and hair’ and finally their big hit ‘keep walking’. They didn’t play long to my disappointment. Great support act enjoyed by many who had already turned up for the show.
Tonight’s show is sold out. The crowd go nuts when Dave and co bound out. Long haired Dave runs down the walk way which is about ¾ length on the ground, his number one aim tonight seems to be obtaining applause. Tonight there are 8 members on stage including newest member on double bass, Jessie Green. Songs include ‘pretender’, ‘times like these’, ‘break out, and ‘learn to fly’. Dave plays and plays on the crowd’s vibe and love for him. He runs from one side to the other sinking his vibe into the guitar whilst creating pandemonium! The entire band give 110% to the show and certainly indulge in the attention. A long instrumental break (too long for my liking) then to the punters amazement a second stage descends from the rood about ¾ way on the floor and sits on the end of the run way. The FF head to it, again creating noise galore, and the less rock part of the night begins. ‘Skin and bones’, ‘marigold’ and ‘hero’ are the songs played. Ronnie on keyboards, Chris on guitar, Jessie on double bass, Drew on cow bell/chimes/triangle who gives us a bit of a solo of his instruments! Lucky last is Taylor on drums. Dave would go to any of the three microphones so all viewing aspects are covered of him to the audience. The introductions of all these band members went for way too long. Taylor sings rather nicely on ‘cold man’ then we hear ‘but honestly’ and ‘ballad of the Beaconsfield minors’ with Kaki King. Finally they run back to the rock stage and give us ‘monkey wrench’ and ‘one by one’. Encore and Dave amuses us with his videoing of himself talking to the crowd then they’re back with Jessie Green and Dave taking on a song together which worked well. Last songs include ‘long road to ruin’, ‘generator’ and lastly ‘best of you’.

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