The healing properties of music are no joke, and throughout the very sold-out crowd that huddled together on a chilly and wet weeknight to welcome hall of famers and all-around gents Foo Fighters back to the stage, the evidence of its continued power was present in bunches.
But what became even more obvious as the band took the stage to an earthquaking reception, led by the radiating gratitude of Dave Grohl who blew the frenzied gathering a simple but heartfelt kiss to reciprocate the love, it was abundantly clear from the start that it wasn’t just the crowd who was feeling that healing magic.
Kicking off their highly anticipated return at Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford, New Hampshire on Wednesday (May 24), Grohl and co. made it known quickly that this wasn’t simply a show or a chance to warm up ahead of Boston Calling. In many ways, it was a moment to continue healing together as one solid collective, all looking for some semblance of closure following last year’s tragic loss of beloved drummer Taylor Hawkins.
Starting the night off with ‘Rescued,’ a new track off of their forthcoming album But Here We Are, the tone was set without any massive pomp or prolonged intro from the larger-than-life quintet. In fact, the weight of the opening moments of the night was palpable in the open-space venue, and remained almost-dreamlike until Grohl took a step up to the mic to get things started. What followed was a full career-spanning setlist that celebrated the old school grit of the band’s self-titled debut as much as it ushered in a new chapter of the band’s storied history, now joined by industry-acclaimed drumming machine Josh Freese behind the kit.
As the answer to the industry’s most looming question over the past year, Freese showed early and often exactly why he’s in the band, with a metronome precision and seemingly unending stamina that kept up with the long-ranging jam abilities of the guitar-wielding mad men standing in front of him.
Jumping from track to track without much air in between ringing endnotes, tackling songs like “Walk,” “No Son Of Mine,” and built-in GOAT’d classics like “Learn To Fly,” and “Times Like These,” which served at a much deeper level on this particular nearly solemn evening, there wasn’t much time to dwell on the sad stuff. Instead, the focus was shifted to brushing off the dust, and enjoying the outright face-melting guitar work of Grohl, Chris Shifflett and Pat Smear (who always just looks so damn happy to be doing what he’s doing) as the gang rumbled through hit after hit as fiercely as Nate Mendel’s bass riffs with “The Pretender,” “Breakout,” “The Sky Is a Neighborhood,” “All My Life,” and “My Hero,” while peppering in a few additional new tracks like “Under You” and the debut of the upcoming album’s title track.
In a set so rife with nostalgia and massive hits, with a quintessential Foo Fighters ending made up of “Best of You,” “Aurora,” and “Everlong,” it’s tough to truly nail down the peak of the evening. However, a major highlight of the set came in the form of an emotionally-charged rendition of the Hawkins-penned fan favorite “Cold Day in the Sun,” which now found Grohl riding solo at center stage with an acoustic guitar in hand. It was a truly sobering moment that was equal parts gut-wrenching and alleviating, all the while keeping the spirit of Hawkins well within the realm of the gathering.
At a few points throughout the show, Grohl attempted to convey his gratitude — something he cheekily admitted he’s never really had a problem doing in years before — but was more often than not at a loss for words. But truth be told, he didn’t need to say anything. The music and cherished lyrics spoke for him most of the time with the passion and angst that still oozed through the microphone, and within the chemistry between a group of musically in-tune brothers who, collectively, are learning to walk again in their own way.
But for all the heavy emotion laced throughout the night, there were so many smiles. It truly encapsulated the resilience and strength of the band, and their iron clad bond with their fans. And if how they sounded was any inclination of how it’s going to be when they headline Boston Calling on Friday night, we’ll then we’re in one hell of a rock show, ‘cause like… holy shit.
Thank you so much for coming. We’ve missed you. pic.twitter.com/t0oqqQoCwm
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) May 25, 2023