IF memory serves, I’m sure the last time that the Foo’s played Scotland was 2019 at the Summer Sessions. Marking the beginning of our festival season, tonight is not only a showcase of last year’s album “But Here We Are”, but the first Scottish Foo Fighters show following the loss of sorely missed Taylor Hawkins.
Hampden is playing the perfect host for the show. A world-class venue, run by a world-class team, for a world-class band. We’re in quickly after walking up the concourse of food trucks and merch tables that give us that festival feeling. No matter how often you walk onto that pitch, it’s always overwhelming.
Both of tonight’s support acts come in the form of solo projects. Opening, it’s home-grown talent Honeyblood – AKA Stina Tweeddale – who hails from Edinburgh and formed the band in Glasgow.
Honeyblood gives us some alternative indie rock, which despite the Scottish roots, has a distinctive American twang to it. Think of a more chilled out, fresher Hole with a healthy slice of Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The Scottish accent still comes out every now and then to remind us of home, and it just hits harder when you’re stood in these hallowed grounds.
Australian singer/songwriter Courtney Barnett is the main support. She brings a lovely indie folk-rock to the stage. Behind the cool, flowing, vocals there’s huge swaths of Bob Dylan and 90’s Sheryl Crow. It’s that kind of laid back, care-free attitude that makes you feel the sun on the back of your neck as you’re listening to this music. You can’t help but smile and bob your head as her songs carry you off.
Both supports are well received despite not being as rock ‘n’ roll as the headliners. The weather’s held, and for the 30 long minutes the electricity in the air builds and builds. Thus far, there’s absolutely nothing anyone can find fault with tonight.
There’s no huge fanfare to announce the Foo Fighters’ arrival onto the stage. There is a huge roar from the crowd, though. Dave Grohl is first on, thrashing his guitar as he darts across the stage acknowledging every part of the audience before motioning to the sky and warning us it’s going to be a long night. Any fears from the old school fans who prefer the rockier stuff are laid to rest as the band are led into "All My Life" by Grohl.
We all know Dave Grohl can sing ... but tonight the man is on top form. Somehow grittier, fuller and smoother than the recordings at the same time. This is a proper stadium rock show with the older hits peppered through the set to keep things loud and powerful. The slower numbers are made even more special, such as "Skin and Bones" where keyboardist Rami joins Dave down the catwalk on accordion. "My Hero" is played acoustically to begin with before the band joins in for the climax, and the normally energetic "Under You" is presented as an acoustic ballad. There’s obviously been lots of thought put into how the live show can be as special as possible and that includes a cameo from Dave’s daughter, Violet, for "Show Me How". Joining her father on vocal duties, the talent may very well be genetic as she more than holds her own on the stage.
Dave’s love for Scotland is shown throughout the show. From his whole family joining him on this leg to be in one of their favourite countries in the world, to his drinking Buckfast on stage (and genuinely liking it!) while Rami plays "Flower of Scotland" on keys.
"Aurora" is dedicated to Taylor Hawkins, whose spirit is definitely in the stadium tonight. There will never be any replacing him, but Josh Freese proves that he comes as close as you can get. He plays his heart out, including snippets from a couple of his previous bands Devo and Nine Inch Nails during the introductions. I’m pretty sure he wins Scotland’s approval tonight.
As the once well-lit sky turns dark at the end of a nearly three-hour long set, Dave explains how he never says “goodbye”, but instead plays "Everlong". It’s clear that this crowd don’t want to say goodbye either as they sing along with the same energy that was shown at the start of the night. I’d say that the best way to make sure that “anything could ever be this good again” is to look forward to the next time they come to Scotland and make sure you’re in the crowd for it.
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