Concert Review: Foo Fighters
August 3, 2021 at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater in Maryland Heights (St. Louis), MO.
This was my first concert in over a year. Despite being outdoors, the show was nearly sold out and jam packed with people (most of whom weren’t wearing masks, even in indoor spaces). So I basically wore my mask the entire time. It was annoying at first, but then the music started and I felt like I woke up.
As if I’d been a zombie the last 18 months (as a new parent, I kind of was). They started their set with Times Like These, and I felt so emotional. But then everything kicked in and I just let go and had an amazing time.
This was my second time ever seeing the Foo Fighters. The first time was 10 years ago after Wasting Light came out. They played a 2-hour set back then, and this time the set was 2.5 hours. I was amazed 10 years ago, and even more amazed last night, at the sheer stamina of this band.
They truly play for 2.5 hours straight (you kind of have to when your catalogue has nearly 300 songs in it). It’s so incredible to watch. Dave Grohl even said at one point that Taylor Hawkins (drummer), “burns more calories in a night than you do in a week.” Which is probably true.
For 2.5 hours, they played some of the oldest and newest Foo songs — and everything in between. There was truly something for everyone, as the age of the crowd spanned from probably 10 years old to 60s. What really makes Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters special is their ability to connect with their fans, while playing continuously for hours and spending minimal time actually talking.
Case in point: Grohl either has a fantastic memory, or people remind him of these things before they play. Either way, the crowd loved hearing about the Foo Fighters’ first show in St. Louis at Mississippi Nights back in 1996 — a venue locals remember and reminisce about fondly.
In addition to all the classics and plenty of drum and guitar solos, they covered a Bee Gees song, which is on their cover album Dee Gees. Later, they did another cover — Somebody to Love by Queen — and we were treated to Taylor Hawkins singing lead vocals as Grohl played the drums. As the song ended, Hawkins said, “For twenty-six years, I’ve had to drum for that guy.”
Grohl is, and always has been, a phenomenal drummer, but Hawkins is also incredibly talented. In addition to drumming (on a massive drum kit), he also sings back-up vocals on many of the songs. And as Grohl said, he basically doesn’t stop moving the entire set.
On more than one occasion I was just in awe that I had the privelege of seeing two of the greatest drummers of all time (probably) and really, just one of the greatest bands. Twenty-six years later and not only are they still putting out music, but they’re also putting on damn good shows.
If you get the opportunity to see them on this tour (or in the future), do yourself a favor and go. The music has always been great, but their live shows are unparalleled. I can’t think of a single other band who would perform for 2.5 hours straight, whether they had an extensive music catalogue or not.
