Live Review: Foo Fighters

With his unmistakable scream, Dave Grohl breaks out onto the stage, racing down the runway extension.

His charcoal locks flap like a wild flag in the wind. Standing now amid the audience, Grohl says, "Let’s sing a song together; it’s called My Hero". The loud chanting is paired with raised hands waving in synch with the chorus lyrics. Running around like a mad dog, Grohl’s energy is hard to match. He proclaims, “We don’t play those little two-hour concerts.” The lights dim and Grohl commences a slower, romantic song, Big Me. To Grohl’s swaying, keyboardist Rami Jaffee uses tasteful, delicate notes to pretty-up this pop-rock number.

Congregation, with its patriotic-sounding lead riff, calls the sea of loyal troops to attention. Lead guitarist Chris Shiflett solos smoothly throughout, while Grohl controls the energy of the crowd with his vocal dynamics. With a kick that stomps through the stadium, Walk provides a reflective moment during which punters catch their breath. Though absolutely covered in sweat, drummer Taylor Hawkins masterly nails fill after fill. Continuing to impress, Hawkins takes over lead vocal duty on Cold Day In The Sun. With his rambunctious pipes, combined with the pounding beat, he comes across as a grunged-up Ringo Starr. Swapping the blue Gibson for his silver one, Grohl says, “Here’s a dance number,” and Monkey Wrench follows. Displaying striking stamina, he sprints out to the end of the runway, strumming all the while, and then returns to jam with Hawkins, Grohl leaning over his drummer’s kit. But as the crowd anticipates the screaming verse, the song completely transforms. The stage lights descend into blackout and Grohl leads the band into a trippy freak-out, with a solo reminiscent of The Doors. The drums build and the returning lights drown the stage in a blood red. With added vigour, Grohl’s gutsy voice pumps through its final lyrics.

The band gets to rest while Grohl, acoustic in hand, serenades the crowd with a sombre Skin & Bones and Wheels. Suddenly the rest of the band appear halfway down the runway on a rotating platform. Armed with another set of instruments, they launch into a collection of covers. When the immortal bassline of Queen and David Bowie’s Under Pressure blasts out, we know we’re in for a special treat. The atmosphere is ecstatic as the rockers pay homage to the classic anthem. “We don’t do encore shit” Grohl affirms and the band play another string of hits. Grohl and his guitar salute and the band bow down in unison before the mesmerised Melbourne crowd.