Under the shimmering lights of BMO Stadium, a venue known for hosting some of LA’s most dynamic performances, Foo Fighters took to the stage for the first of two sold-out shows. With 22,000 seats filled to capacity, the night was not just another concert; it was a testament to the resilience and emotional depth of a band that has weathered profound loss. The stadium, part of LA’s Festival Park, provided the perfect setting for an evening that would see Dave Grohl, the heart and soul of Foo Fighters, transform personal tragedy into a celebration of life and music. One note if you plan to hit the BMO Stadium for a show. The Parking is INSANE. The General Admission Parking was $80, with lots 1/2 mile away at $60. You can pre-buy parking for $68 on Ticketmaster, but that is still unacceptable. Far easier and cheaper to hop and UBER and head down to catch the show.
Before the Foo Fighters took the stage, the crowd was treated to two powerful opening acts that set the tone for the night. Amyl and the Sniffers hit the stage first at 5:30 with a gritty, no-holds-barred set that showcased their punk rock roots. Lead singer Amy Taylor’s fierce stage presence and the band’s relentless energy captivated the audience. Their music, a fusion of raw punk and rock, resonated with the crowd, many of whom were experiencing the Australian band live for the first time. Taylor’s powerful vocals and the band’s tight, fast-paced instrumentation were a stark contrast to the more polished rock of the Foo Fighters, providing a dynamic lead-in to the headlining performance.
AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS:
Bryce Wilson – Drums, backing vocals
Declan Martens – Guitar, backing vocals
Gus Romer – Bass, backing vocals
Amy Taylor – Lead Vocals
AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS SETLIST:
1. Mole (Sniff Sniff)
2. Balaclava Lover Boogie
3. Freaks to the Front
4. Got You
5. Capital
6. Security
7. Choices
8. Knifey
9. Facts
10. U Should Not Be Doing That
11. Starfire 500
12. Guided by Angels
13. GFY
14. Hertz
15. Some Mutts (Can’t Be Muzzled)
The Hives were next up. Known for their electrifying live performances, delivered a high-energy set filled with in-your-face guitar riffs and anthemic choruses. Lead singer Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist, ever the showman, commanded the stage with his charismatic presence, running into the crowd, leaping off platforms, and engaging in playful banter with the audience. Their performance was a perfect blend of humor and raw rock energy, leaving the crowd both entertained and amped up for the night ahead.
THE HIVES:
Chris Dangerous – Drums, backing vocals
Niklas Almqvist – Guitar, backing vocals
The Johan and Only – Bass, backing vocals
Vigilante Carlstroem – Rhythm guitar, organ, backing vocals
Per Almqvist – Lead Vocals
THE HIVES SETLIST:
1.Bogus Operandi
2. Main Offender
3. Rigor Mortis Radio
4. Walk Idiot Walk
5. Good Samaritan
6. Stick Up
7. Try It Again
8. Hate to Say I Told You So
9. Trapdoor Solution
10. Bigger Hole to Fill
11. Countdown to Shutdown
12. Come On!
13. Tick Tick Boom
As Foo Fighters kicked off their set at BMO Stadium, it was clear that this was more than just a rock concert. The air was thick with the collective emotion of a band and its fans who had all felt the impact of Taylor Hawkins’ death. Dave Grohl, with his mane of hair drenched in sweat and his voice as raw and powerful as ever, stood as a symbol of perseverance. Each song was delivered with an intensity that spoke to Grohl’s internal battle—one that pits sorrow against the joy he knows his music can bring to others.
The show was a journey through Foo Fighters’ extensive catalog, but it was the moments of reflection, the songs that carried the weight of the band’s history, that hit hardest. Tracks like “Times Like These” and “My Hero,” already anthems of resilience, took on new meaning. Grohl’s screams were more than just vocal expressions; they were cathartic releases, echoes of the pain he’s carried since losing Hawkins. With so many of the bandmembers hailing from the Los Angeles Area it truly felt like a homecoming.
One of the night’s most poignant moments came when Grohl dedicated “Aurora” to Hawkins. Known as Hawkins’ favorite Foo Fighters song, it has become a fixture in their setlist, a way to keep his memory alive on stage. As Grohl’s voice cracked with emotion, it was clear that this was more than just a tribute—it was a conversation with a friend who was no longer there, yet whose spirit still hovered over every note.
The night was not solely about mourning, though. It was also about the sheer joy of making music, of connecting with fans, and of pushing through the darkness to find the light. Grohl’s energy was infectious; his determination to deliver an unforgettable performance was evident in every riff and every scream. Even in the moments of sorrow, there was a palpable sense of celebration—a recognition that, despite the pain, life and music must go on.
As the night drew to a close, Foo Fighters launched into a powerful encore, beginning with “The Teacher,” a 10-minute epic from their latest album, But Here We Are. The song, dedicated to Grohl’s late mother, served as a reminder of the dual grief that has shaped this chapter of his life. Yet, as the band transitioned into “Everlong,” fireworks lighting up the sky, the mood shifted from introspection to exhilaration. The song, a staple of the band’s performances, became a declaration: no matter the loss, the music—and the joy it brings—will endure.
In the end, Foo Fighters’ performance at BMO Stadium was more than just a concert; it was a testament to the power of music to heal, to unite, and to transform grief into something beautiful. Dave Grohl’s journey, marked by profound loss and relentless resilience, has shaped the band’s sound and spirit in ways that were on full display that night. As the final notes rang out and the crowd roared its approval, one thing was clear: the Foo Fighters are not just surviving—they are thriving, turning their heartbreak into a powerful force for joy.
FOO FIGHTERS
Dave Grohl – lead vocals, guitar
Nate Mendel – bass
Pat Smear – guitar
Chris Shiflett – guitar
Rami Jaffee – keyboards, piano
Josh Freese – drums
FOO FIGHTERS SETLIST:
1. All My Life
2. No Son of Mine
3. Rescued
4. The Pretender
5. Walk
6. Times Like These
7. Generator
8. La Dee Da
9. Breakout
10. My Hero
11. The Sky Is a Neighborhood
12. Learn to Fly
13. Arlandria
14. These Days
15. Skin and Bones (Acoustic with accordion)
16. Under You (Acoustic)
17. Nothing at All
18. This Is a Call
19. Monkey Wrench
20. Aurora
21. Best of You
Encore:
22. The Teacher
23. Everlong
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