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Concert Review: Foo Fighters unite cathartic classics with newer hits, paid homage with tributes

Red lights flash across the audience at BMO Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 11 as the crowd watches Foo Fighters perform on stage. The alternative rock band played two shows at the Los Angeles venue as part of their “Everything Or Nothing At All” tour in support of their 2023 album “But Here We Are.” (Darlene Sanzon/Assistant Photo editor)

“Everything Or Nothing At All”

Foo Fighters

BMO Stadium

August 11

By Eric Sican

Aug. 12, 2024 9:54 p.m.

Once again, Foo Fighters prove they’ll stick around.

The “Everything Or Nothing At All” tour continued its electrifying run with Foo Fighters’ second show at Los Angeles’ BMO Stadium on Sunday night. In support of their latest album, “But Here We Are,” Foo Fighters embarked on the tour in May and have exhilarated audiences nationwide with their signature post-grunge and alternative rock sound throughout the summer. The group’s stage resembled a mesmerizing canvas bathed in hypnotic multicolor lights, transporting longtime fans to a nostalgic realm with a setlist that echoed through three decades of head-banging memories. Yet, the band’s raw energy and modern edge injected a fresh vitality into their classic sound, successfully captivating a new generation in the audience and proving their enduring relevance.

Preceded by energizing opening sets from both Alex G and Pretenders, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl emerged from the depths of the stage’s violet light while playing the opening chords to “The Teacher,” a sentimental rock-epic track and tribute to Grohl’s late mother. Donning black, the rest of the band blended seamlessly across the stage, drawing attention to the vibrantly-colored guitars. With a quick transition down memory lane during a performance of 2002’s “All My Life,” the rockstars brought fans new and old alike to their feet with a rousing adrenaline rush.

[Related: Concert Review: Niall Horan puts on a dynamic, charming show at the Kia Forum]

Keeping the energy alive, the band continued with fan-favorites such as “No Son of Mine” and “The Pretender” through consistently smooth segues between songs. Engaging with the audience, Grohl repeatedly held his hand to his ear, signaling the concert-goers to participate in shouting lyrics as loudly as they could. Reaching back in the past with songs in the setlist from the band’s 1995 debut album, Grohl seemed eager to remind the crowd that those anthems were a dedication to the group’s old-school fans. With the lead singer’s acknowledgement, an infectious enthusiasm spread throughout the venue, creating a sense of unity among fans both original and new.

Holding a light blue guitar, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl (left) whips his hair and looks out to the crowd while on stage at Los Angeles&squot; BMO Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 11. The band delivered a high-energy set that spanned across their three-decade career, performing &squot;90s hits such as "Everlong" and more recent cuts like "The Teacher." (Darlene Sanzon/Assistant Photo editor)
Holding a light blue guitar, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl (left) whips his hair and looks out to the crowd while on stage at Los Angeles' BMO Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 11. The band delivered a high-energy set that spanned across their three-decade career, performing '90s hits such as "Everlong" and more recent cuts like "The Teacher." (Darlene Sanzon/Assistant Photo editor)

Despite the unrelenting pace and non-stop high-energy of the performance, Foo Fighters also took time to honor their roots. Interspersed between the adrenaline-pumping anthems were tracks that served as a heartfelt tribute to the musicians and bands who had shaped their sound, such as AC/DC and Nine Inch Nails. Around halfway through the show, each band member showcased their sound with different guitar riffs and recognizable melodies. Offering a nostalgic respite, this relaxed segment gave both the band and the audience the space to reflect on the journey that had brought them together. The delicate balance of paying homage to the past while simultaneously forging ahead served as a testament to the band’s enduring legacy.

In a powerful moment of remembrance, Grohl stepped center stage as the band launched into a soaring rendition of “Aurora,” a heartfelt tribute to the late Taylor Hawkins, the former drummer for the band who died in March 2022. The stadium roared as the melancholic music consumed the space, causing a visceral collective mourning for the loss of the beloved bandmate. Grohl’s raw vocals carried the weight of the moment, while the band’s instrumentation created a sonic tapestry that both honored Hawkins’ memory and uplifted the spirits of those in attendance.

[Related: Concert review: Vampire Weekend provides spirited performance of new, past hits at Hollywood Bowl]

In a similar poignant moment that brought the stadium to a whisper, Grohl invited his daughter Violet Grohl to join him on stage. Together, they performed “Show Me How,” a song the band wrote for the passing of Grohl’s mother and Hawkins. The earnest emotion in their voices was palpable, and the lyrics painted a touching portrait of their love and loss. The crowd, caught in the intimate moment, offered a respectful silence characterized by attendees taking their seats rather than remaining standing.

Blue, purple, red and fuchsia lights blend together in a kaleidoscopic haze while Foo Fighters perform on stage at Los Angeles&squot; BMO Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 11. Several songs throughout the show&squot;s setlist were performed in tribute to the band&squot;s late drummer Taylor Hawkins and frontman Dave Grohl&squot;s late mother, such as "Aurora" and "Show Me How." (Darlene Sanzon/Assistant Photo editor)
Blue, purple, red and fuchsia lights blend together in a kaleidoscopic haze while Foo Fighters perform on stage at Los Angeles' BMO Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 11. Several songs throughout the show's setlist were performed in tribute to the band's late drummer Taylor Hawkins and frontman Dave Grohl's late mother, such as "Aurora" and "Show Me How." (Darlene Sanzon/Assistant Photo editor)

The band’s emotional rollercoaster made yet another drop as they shifted gears back into high octave mode with familiar favorites, such as “Monkey Wrench” and “I’ll Stick Around.” The energy in the stadium was reignited, as fans danced and sang along with reckless abandon. Head-banging, screaming and cheering blazed through the venue as the lighting design reached its zenith, casting a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of colors across the stage and into the crowd that transformed the stadium into a pulsating dreamscape. The intensity grew with every guitar riff and drumbeat, building to a crescendo of euphoria as the band delivered a final, unforgettable performance of “Everlong.”

Culminating in an explosion of sound and light, the night left an indelible mark on those in attendance as Foo Fighters solidified their status as rock and roll royalty.

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Eric Sican | Lifestyle editor
Sican is the 2024-2025 lifestyle editor. He was previously an Arts contributor from 2023-2024. He is a third-year English student minoring in history from Los Angeles.
Sican is the 2024-2025 lifestyle editor. He was previously an Arts contributor from 2023-2024. He is a third-year English student minoring in history from Los Angeles.
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