Foo Fighters – Mt Smart Stadium February 3, 2018

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The Foo Fighters made hearts soar as they effortlessly owned the stage at Mt Smart Stadium.

Nobody could feel anything but happy watching opening act Weezer, but it didn’t take long between sets for the downbuzz of the weather to settle over the crowd. It was well into evening, and we were losing the last of the day’s warmth, the chill of the rain soaking mercilessly into our skin through our soaked clothes. Queues for food or drink were a test of patience, and people muttered about waiting exposed to the elements for the privilege of paying inflated prices for cheap junk food. Back in the stands, people huddled despondently under slicks and ponchos, arms crossed, muttering sideways conversations to their neighbours.

Then the lights dimmed, the crowd roared, and Foo Fighters literally ran onto the stage, called by the exuberant jangling of Dave Grohl‘s guitar.

And lo, you could feel the hearts of the audience immediately lift with their energy, any trace of bad feeling evaporating like steam from wet socks on a warm fire grate. Concerts are almost always exciting, happy experiences, but only a few manage to summon true, capital J Joy. By bringing that on stage with them and lifting the damp crowd effortlessly into it, in my mind the Foos had already achieved something special.

Mother Nature seemed to agree. Once before in New Zealand the Foo Fighters concert was greeted with an earthquake, a fact Dave Grohl made use of several times in flattering the crowd. Last night the rapt reception of the first few songs was rewarded by a short break in the rain, sunset glowing through the clouds, and a rainbow behind the stage as the band beamed through smash hit Learn to Fly.

When it comes to Foo Fighters’ recorded work, I’ve been an admirer but never the world’s biggest fan. Respect is definitely due to probably the biggest rock band in the world, and no-one could fail to have affection for Dave Grohl, the nicest superstar ever.

The music itself, though, all struck me as a bit vanilla. I’d never seen them live, and last night proved me right, but also so wrong. Vanilla is apt, because this is straight-up, tried and true rock’n’roll.

These performances followed a formula by now generations old. But it’s also misleading, because if the Foos are vanilla, they’re not your bland tub of Tip Top, but the gourmet stuff made with all organic ingredients. The kind you could happily pay restaurant prices for and recommend to your posh friends. It’s the simple elements pulled off perfectly and with craft that made Foo Fighters a consummate live experience.

The simple riffs and song structures were made for stadiums like Mt Smart, so they could stretch across the space and draw in thousands of people into a communal experience. That really did seem to be the goal here, with Grohl urging the crowd to belt along to the choruses of songs like My Hero  and Walk, and the band frequently dropping away to give the fans an acapella moment.

The gratitude for the fans that made their career came of as entirely genuine, especially with Grohl striding out repeatedly onto the catwalk in the pouring rain, to play to and address the crowd from their midst. “We’re going to tour the world wishing every crowd was like you,” he bellowed, and while I bet he says that to all the pretty crowds, I bet they all love him for it like we did.

Not only that, but this archetypal modern rock band bared their old school hearts. Far from content with get in-get out 3 minute singalongs, Foo Fighters embarked on long, virtuoso rock jams worthy of Zeppelin or Cream.

Most notably, Break Out got a long tense stop start extension, and Rope’s middle section was stretched into a lengthy twelve bar blues rock homage. There was a cover of Queen’s Another One Bites The Dust, and solo sections for every single member (even bassist Nate Mendel, despite Grohl’s ribbing about no-one wanting to hear it).

Here we must pay special attention to drummer Taylor Hawkins, who was simply incredible. His enormous sound was a key part of any one song, and he truly impressed by performing drums and vocals on Rainy Sunday. This is something any drummer will tell you is difficult, but Hawkins pulled it off immediately after his drum solo, without seeming to even need a breather. Like Grohl, his humility also impressed. “I’m just amazed I’m in a band that this many people want to come and see,” he marveled, leaning casually on his kit.

As the night went on, the stage show got flashier, the Big Hits were pulled out for the closing set and encore (Best of You, Monkey Wrench, Everlong), but those delicious, simple, vanilla ingredients remained what made the show great. Just a group of musicians who happen to be the world’s biggest rock stars, performing with talent and a commanding machismo. All saved from any hint of arrogance by genuine likability and love of performing. Bravo.

Cameron Miller

(Kate Powell reviews Weezer here.)

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Reuben Raj:

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