Foo Fighters - London Wembley Arena, 23/11/2002
by Charles Howarth
published: 20 / 11 / 2002
intro
Special guest reviewer Charles Howarth finds at London Wembley Arena that the Foo Fighters' frontman Dave Grohl showing "once and for all that he has moved out of Kurt Cobain’s shadow as the youthful drummer in Nirvana"
The large expanse of Wembley Arena was brimming with noise as the crowd waited in anticipation for the emergence of the Foo Fighters. Every movement of the sound technicians across the stage was greeted with cheers and screams, but before the crowd could be appeased by the arrival of the band they had all come to see they were treated to Dave Grohl’s new favourite band, Cave In. Cave In played a generally good set, which included a number of excellent songs. Unfortunately the crowd were mostly unaware of them, but despite this the majority appreciated them, especially for their more melodic tunes. Finishing with a Led Zeppelin cover, the Boston based band left the stage proving that they did have some stadium potential, even if a smaller venue would better suit them. The Foo Fighters arrived amidst huge clamour, playing their new single 'One by One, the title track of their fourth album, as a opening number while silhouetted behind a curtain. This was met with a very warm reception and showed their confidence in the new material. As Dave Grohl stepped out from behind the falling curtain, it would be fair to say that he showed once and for all that he has moved out of Kurt Cobain’s shadow as the youthful drummer in Nirvana, and become a stand alone rock star in his own right. The Foos played a vibrant and intense set, showing their intent for the evening by barely pausing for breath between numbers of songs. Despite this a couple of the tracks from 'One by One' showed a more mellow and reflective side. This highlighted a movement away from the pop rock of previous album 'There Is Nothing Left To Lose', towards a new sound, somewhere between their heavier first two albums, 'Foo Fighters' and 'The Colour and the Shape' and the third. Still it was the older material that really brought the house down. 'Learn To Fly' was wildly supported, in typical Foo Fighter’s fashion with the raising of lighters across the arena, which bathed the venue in small balls of light. My own personal favourite, the classic 'Monkey Wrench' received the greatest cheers of the evening, and showed the depth of the Foos back catalogue. The evening was a great success, and Dave Grohl’s own words summed it up perfectly, “it's great you're all here, but I'm surprised there’s so many of you,” show that even they are astonished by their own achievements, but also how far they have come.
Band Links:-
https://foofighters.com/https://www.facebook.com/foofighters/
https://twitter.com/foofighters
Have a Listen:-
Picture Gallery:-
live reviews |
Wembley Arena, London, 18/12/2005 |
The Foo Fighters play shows in which every single member of their audience is inducted into their family. Matt Williams attends one of the best shows of his life at the Wembley Arena in London. |
soundcloud
reviews |
But Here We Are (2023) |
Elegiac new album from the Foo Fighters, their first since the death last year of their drummer, Taylor Hawkins. |
One By One (2002) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
previous editions
Microdisney - The Clock Comes Down the StairsWorld Party - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
Ain't That Always The Way - Alan Horne After The Sound of Young Scotland 2
World Party - Interview with Karl Wallinger
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Steve Harley - Interview
Prisoners - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart