Fans welcomed the Foo Fighters back to Los Angeles with two sold-out performances at the Great Western Forum on Wednesday, and frontman Dave Grohl stole the show and left the audience with a performance to remember forever.
The Fighters made their way to the stage a little before 10 p.m. and were greeted by an ecstatic crowd. If you are one of their fans and live in L.A., this definitely was a show you shouldn’t have missed.
Grohl has come a long way since his Nirvana days and has since established himself as a creative powerhouse. From his days as a drummer to an incredible guitarist it is obvious that he was put on this planet to make music.
As the crowd trickled in, the Florida-based band Against Me! set the tone for an energy-filled night. Serj Tankian, who is the lead vocalist of System of a Down (which is currently on questionable hiatus) secured the vibe of a continuous, amazing night to come.
Tankian was a prime pick for opening the show as he played a one-hour set, luring the crowd in and leaving them wanting more. With his distinctive sound and high energy, he had me anxious for a System of a Down reunion.
While there are rumors of the band getting back together, it still remains a gray area. Tankian performed “The Sky is Over,” among others from his first solo album “Elect the Dead” released October of last year. With the perfect blend of vocals, guitar and piano, he proved that he is, in fact, a triple threat.
Grohl hit the center platform with the acoustic version of “Everlong.” This was personally the song I had been waiting for all night as it is easily one of the band’s best.
Evident of the times, The Forum was lit up with cell phone LCD screens. It reminded me of a friendly alternative to gas lighters. The crowd grew silent and it was clear he had total control over where he wanted to take this performance.
Starting the night off right, the Fighters played “Let it Die,” “The Pretender,” and “Times Like These.”
Just when the crowd thought the night was over, they kept playing as though they weren’t ever going to stop. It was now one hour and 30 minutes into the show, and everyone was content with being there until the wee hours of the morning.
One of the highlights of the show was after the band said their farewells. Grohl came up on the big screen at 12:15 a.m. and said he was coming out for more.
The encore set was definitely a treat and if you went home early, you should unquestionably feel bad.
Drummer Taylor Hawkins introduced his inspiration and their guest drummer, Stewart Copeland of the The Police, as he helped the Fighters say good bye.
Copeland played his heart out and walked off modestly, and that in itself was an experience I would never forget. Being a fan of The Police, I thought this was definitely an awesome way to end the night.
Needless to say, seeing the Foo Fighters live is a great experience. From the second they set foot on the stage to the last note, their energy does not cease.
The Fighters are in Canada continuing their tour which will make its way back to the U.S. in July. Without sounding like an understatement, the band left L.A. with a bang.
Closing with “Big Me,” “All My Life” and “Best of You,” fans couldn’t have asked for more of a variety in songs.
They have an energy that will make you a fan or instill notions that they are outstanding performers. When the band makes their way back to L.A. in the future, regardless of if you are a fan or not, I highly recommend being present at their next venue.
