Red Hot Chili Peppers - Gig Review
Posted by Guest Writer on Thu, 08 Dec 2011.
Much has changed since Red Hot Chili Peppers' lead guitarist, John Frusciante, left the band. With their new line up consisting of John's replacement Josh Klinghoffer, a guitarist familiar with the band and hand picked by Jon himself, the Chili's are back to conquer the world.
With a new album, new setlist and some new fascinating facial hair, RHCP take their tour to Birmingham's LG Arena for 2 sold out nights of funk, rock and roll.
They kick start the set with the first song from the new album, I'm with you, with "Monarchy of Roses". A song that introduces the show with distortion and a roar from the crowd that breaks out into the first lines of the catchy tune. Followed swiftly by songs such as Dani California and classics like "Can't Stop".
Huge singsongs carry throughout "By the Way " and lighters are held high for "Under the Bridge" and with such a big back catalogue of music, the fans are pleased to see the setlist only holds a couple from the new album.
There's a significant difference in the jams between songs as the connection between Josh and Chad doesn't seem as soulful or have the diversity as it did with Jon. However on the whole, Josh picks up the pace here and there and has the crowd rocking as they're used to. Despite the differences between Jon's soulful playing and Josh's more technical talent I think Josh has found his well deserved space in the band comfortably, introducing his own style of playing but keeping the classic RHCP sound.
The best songs are kept till the encore after they've kicked it old school with songs from Blood Sugar Sex Magic and a funk infused cover of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground". This has the crowd in a wave of jumping, pure carnage and groove.
The encore consists of soul to squeeze and of course, "Give it Away" which ends in a mighty ten minute jam. A truly incredible way to end the night of purely magical live music!
If by any chance you have been living on a different planet and haven't heard of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, then you can head over to their website here: http://redhotchilipeppers.com/
By Joe Winn