*** Many apologies for the delay in this review. I have had quite a few issues of late. ***
I was determined to hate Anfield Stadium in Liverpool. You see, back in the days when I gave a toss about football, in 1979, my worst experience happened when at the age of 15 I was kicked to pieces by men in their 30s and 40s. It was also the worst racist abuse I have heard directed at black players (to this day). Not just a few, 50,000 of them. However, after the horrible experience of Villa Park seeing the Foo Fighters two years ago with the worst venue ever for a stadium gig, Anfield was the best. Friendly, helpful staff, low queues, loads of toilets, clean, and decent food (for a football ground). Two years ago in Aston, the sound was terrible, but this time every word and chord of the Foo Fighters was clear as they rocked the Liverpool stage.
Kicking off with All My Life, a packed audience were on their feet most of the night for Dave Grohl and the band, hearing hit after hit including The Pretender, Times Like These, My Hero, Learn to Fly and Walk. A short foray to the B-Stage for an acoustic set which included Wheels, Big Me and Under You. And then back to the main with Monkey Wrench, Breakout and Aurora (dedicated to Taylor Hawkins).
The Foo Fighters, in the earlier times that I have seen them, have always had big guest appearances. This time, it was a guy from (apparently) the crowd who solved a cube puzzle to play a song. He took the drums and boy, could he do them well, and all on his 18th Birthday. Of course, it was a setup. His name was Max and he is Dave Grohl’s daughter’s boyfriend. But it was a cool moment anyway.
The obligatory encore included The Teacher, about Dave’s late mother, and we ended the night with Everlong, accompanied by a massive firework display. One thing I always love about going to see the Foo Fighters is the crowd singing parts of a certain song as they leave. This was the seventh time I have seen the Foos, and I have to say, the best yet from start to finish. I cannot remember a single negative. The band ended the main set before the encore with the classic Best of You, and I can honestly say that those watching got the best of them.
Cheers.
Antony N Britt - Author 