When you wait nine years for a band to a play an album,
you’re bound to be disappointed – especially if they end up playing most of
their mediocre new one instead. Great as
it would have been to hear them play all of Californication
and none of I’m With You, it was
never going to happen. Considering this,
I should recognize the good parts of the concerts – the moments that would make
me try Chili Peppers again next time they come to DC:
[Note: This is effectively a live blog from the show, so it
will not be smooth.]
--- “Dani California”
sounds a thousand times better than the “Monarchy of Roses” opener. Its towering cameras, lights, and expanding
red sun beams are also preferable to “Monarchy”’s tribute to Pier One. Nice drum interlude into “She's your
priestess; I'm your priesttt. Simultaneous
releasssse.”
--- “Thank you -- let's hang out for a while.” Yay, they speak! They just said “good to see our President finally said something sane about gay people”…to thunderous applause.
--- “Thank you -- let's hang out for a while.” Yay, they speak! They just said “good to see our President finally said something sane about gay people”…to thunderous applause.
--- “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie” has a great
opening beat and good instrumental ending – and not much in between. Not
the strongest album.
--- “Other Side”!!! The crowd SOARS. The guitar
/ vibe / spoken words are amazing too. I'd forgotten “Other Side”’s
power.
--- How have I never heard “Higher Ground”? The lyrics are great: “Teachers keep on
teachin’ / Preachers keep on preachin’ / We're gonna be a sailin' on the funky
sound / Nobody's gonna bring me down / Till I reach the higher ground.”
--- “Under The Bridge” is awesome. The creepy female
body scan on the screens during it...not so much.
--- “Californication”! Way better on the album though. A thousand
pill bottles surrounded by a pill sun is not exactly subtle. Um, a ssssstrong smell just wafted around
me. A cylindrical paper was just passed
across me. Awkward…
--- “By The Way”!! It contrasts really
well with “Californication.”
Interesting subbing of a thamping horn for the steak knife parts. Still prefer the album version.
--- HA, the crowd flips out during “Around The World.” Such a flashback
to my bike route during student teaching.
Flea just did a handstand after his drum marathon – nice.
--- Why are random fans' adult yearbook photos on the screen during “Give It Away”?
--- Wow, he just threw a drumstick into the mezzanine. "You guys’ve been great; support live
music!" Amen to that.
Grade: B
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