Show Review: Foo Fighters @ Oracle Arena, February 2, 2008

The Foo Fighters have been on my short list of bands I've really wanted to see live for many years, but for one reason or another have never been able to make it. So I was greatly relieved to get a chance to see them on their tour in support of their latest album, Echoes Silence Patience and Grace. And the song set reflected the fact that they are still an active band; one quarter of their songs came from their most recent album. Also of interest was the fact that the next album that was most heavily represented was their 3rd, There is Nothing Left to Lose, from 9 years ago and that only two tracks came from their album previous to ESP&G, one acoustic track and the last encore.

Anyway, about the show. It was a very oddly paced affair. Just when you thought they were going to launch into a full-frontal assault of rock with a tune like 'Breakout', they would mellow out into a laid-back jam like 'Learn to Fly.' It was a nice touch for them to add a second auxiliary stage at the opposite end of the arena so that almost every attendee got a more 'intimate' look at the band, but even that contributed to the off-kilter feel. Even though the stage was at my end of the venue, with the "almost acoustic" nature of the songs they played while out there, it almost felt like the 5 song session was one long bathroom break.

Now, don't let this feel like an indictment of the show. In fact, it was a bad ass rocking concert and I had a blast. The set (including the 3 song encore) was a full 2 hours and 19 songs long. I think the pacing is more a reflection of Dave Grohl as a maturing rocker. He reflected on some past Bay Area shows, at more intimate venues like Slim's. He also half-jokingly referred to the general state of the air in the arena: "Is pot legal in this city?" It seemed like a good rock show from an artist who has been in the public spotlight for 17 years.

Overall, a solid 3 out of 4 stars.

Set List:
Let It Die
The Pretender
Times Like These
Breakout
Learn to Fly
Cheer Up, Boys (Your Makeup Is Running)
This is a Call
Stacked Actors
Skin and Bones
Marigold
My Hero
Cold Day in the Sun
But, Honestly
Everlong
Monkey Wrench
All My Life

Encores:
Big Me
Long Road to Ruin
Best of You