Back in May of 2020, in the midst of the scariest period of the pandemic, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl penned a passionate op-ed for The Atlantic titled “The Day the Live Concert Returns” in which he openly and enthusiastically pined for the return of live music, writing at the time:
“In today’s world of fear and unease and social distancing, it’s hard to imagine sharing experiences like these ever again. I don’t know when it will be safe to return to singing arm in arm at the top of our lungs, hearts racing, bodies moving, souls bursting with life. But I do know that we will do it again, because we have to. It’s not a choice. We’re human. We need moments that reassure us that we are not alone. That we are understood. That we are imperfect. And, most important, that we need each other. I have shared my music, my words, my life with the people who come to our shows. And they have shared their voices with me. Without that audience—that screaming, sweating audience—my songs would only be sound. But together, we are instruments in a sonic cathedral, one that we build together night after night. And one that we will surely build again.”
Over a year later, that moment finally happened last night (June 15) at the 610-capacity Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, CA (35 miles outside of downtown Los Angeles). The club was open at full capacity with proof of Covid-19 vaccination required to enter. Anti-vaccine picketers reportedly protested outside the venue.
And judging from video of the set opener, “Times Like These,” it was every bit as raucous and jubilant as Grohl had imaged it would be over a year ago. A full minute of video passes while the band takes the stage in darkness, the crowd is going nuts… and man, I choked up watching it. I can’t fucking wait until I’m in a crowd just like it, whenever that may come!
You can watch the video below.
Foo Fighters will play Madison Square Garden in New York City this coming weekend, also to a vaccinated-only audience at 100% capacity. Additionally, they have the following shows booked for summer:
July 28 – The Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center – Cincinnati, OH [Tickets]
July 30 – American Family Insurance Amphitheater – Milwaukee, WI [Tickets]
August 3 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater – St. Louis, MO [Tickets]
August 5 – Azura Amphitheater – Bonner Springs, KS [Tickets]
August 7 – The Zoo Amphitheater – Oklahoma City, OK [Tickets]
August 9 – Isleta Amphitheater – Albuquerque, NM [Tickets]
Last night’s setlist:
1. “Times Like These”
2. “No Son Of Mine”
3. “The Pretender”
4. “Learn To Fly”
5. “Run”
6. “The Sky Is a Neighborhood”
7. “Shame Shame”
8. “Rope”
9. “My Hero”
10. “These Days”
11. “Medicine At Midnight” (live debut)
12. “Walk”
13. “Somebody To Love” (Queen cover)
14. “All My Life”
15. “Arlandria”
16. “Cloudspotter”
17. “Breakout”
18. “Skin And Bones”
19. “This Is A Call”
20. “Aurora”
21. “Best Of You”
Encore:
22. “Making A Fire”
23. “Everlong”
[via Kerrang!]