Foo Fighters | 01.17.08 | Sunrise, FL

Words & Images by: Drew Gerlach

Foo Fighters :: 01.17.08 :: Bank Atlantic Center :: Sunrise, FL

Foo Fighters :: 01.17.08

Prior to kicking off their spring tour in Sunrise, Florida, drummer Taylor Hawkins was quoted on Rolling Stone‘s Rock And Roll Daily blog, saying, “We’re proud to be an arena rock band. We enjoy doing bigass shows – making big noise with big toys.” The moment the Foo Fighters stepped on the stage, they embraced this arena characterization and rocked Florida to its core with fulminating versions of “Let It Die” and “The Pretender.” Adding further “Bigass Rock Show” ambiance were multiple, massive light effects, a runway that ran out to the middle of the floor and expansive video screens that zoomed in on the action.

Lead singer David Grohl spared no vocal chord screaming at the crowd to, “Fucking sing it,” while ripping through his energizing lyrics. The near capacity audience fervently responded to Grohl, who was his usual charming frat boy self, goofing with bandmates, belching into the microphone, dropping countless f-bombs and teasing the adoring audience like some crude Sinatra.

After blowing through a seven song fan favorite set, Grohl picked up an acoustic guitar and strummed the opening lick to “Skin and Bones” as a second stage was lowered into the middle of the floor at the end of the runway. Following the band onto this new stage were the musicians from their previous acoustic tour. The set up and shtick were carbon copies of that tour, which felt like a heartfelt apology to Florida for missing them last year. Highlights included Nirvana b-side “Marigold” (written by Grohl) and “Hero” with a nice piano solo.

Dave Grohl acoustic :: 01.11.08

Grohl finished off the acoustic set with his Hyde Park version of “Everlong” sitting at the end of the second stage bathed in a singular spotlight serenading the darkness with the band’s iconic hit. The crowd went silent during the verses but joined in on the choruses. Slowly the song built into one large crescendo with Grohl sprinting up the runway to the main stage.

A few minutes of playful backstage banter shown on the video screens followed, with Grohl holding up his fingers and mouthing the words, “How many songs?” In between swigs of beer, he continued to increase the number and seemed to enjoy talking into the camera. Eventually he capitulated, running back on stage to a deafening roar. Throughout their five song encore, which dusted off rarities “Enough Space” and “For All The Cows,” he pandered to the crowd asking, “What else do you want us to fucking play?”

Throughout the night Foo Fighters held the audience by their collective hand and took them through an entertaining rock & roll experience. With a new album and massive tour, this band has solidified their place in history as one of the all-time greats.

01.17.08 :: Bank Atlantic Center :: Sunrise, FL
Electric Set: Let It Die, The Pretender, Times like These, Breakout, Long Road To Ruin, DOA, Learn To Fly, This Is A Call, Stacked Actors/Drum Solo
Acoustic Set – Second Stage: Skin & Bones, Marigold, My Hero, Cold Day In The Sun, But Honestly, Everlong (started on Second stage and returned to main stage to resume Electric Set), Monkey Wrench, All My Life
Encore: In Your Honor, For All The Cows, Enough Space, Big Me, Best Of You

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