They kicked off their set with the first track from their current record. As I arrived into the floor area seconds after they started, I was unfortunately not too close to the front. However, finding a spot next to where the FOH engineers meant a great overall view of the screens/lighting spectacle and great sound. I have to admit that after all the years of listening to that many bands, I can’t profess to know if they played track 3 from Arcadium or not. I was not alone as I found that the arena would erupt in louder cheers when a more familiar tune was played, like when they played Dani California next!
Anthony Kiedis was still sporting his ‘tache and was wearing a red tee and a topi cap over his Hitler-esque bangs, whilst Flea was already all over stage right. I have to admit Klinghoffer’s playing was actually great, a deserving replacement for the departed Frusciante. Breaking The Girl was the first song on the set from my favourite RHCP record which was followed by a Hillel Slovak-era tune called Me & My Friends. Under The Bridge not surprisingly received the loudest cheer from the punters, and they ended their main set with By The Way.
The encore began with a jam between Will Ferr… I mean, Chad Smith with Mauro, the band’s percussionist on the road, which then segued to the Power Of Equality. I was hoping for Blood Sugar Sex Magik but this would do. If you listen to their songs on the record, you will realise that Smith is one accomplished drummer, and this was so obvious during the gig. Not surprisingly, he often does drum clinics for Pearl drums which he endorses. Have I also told you that he plays for the supergroup Chickenfoot with Sammy Hagar and Joe Satriani?
After Hard To Concentrate, it was time to go absolutely mental with Give It Away. Surprisingly, Flea, Klinghoffer and Smith stayed on for an extended impromptu jam before calling it a night.
My photos on Flickr – click here.
Motorpoint Arena set, 17.11.11: Monarchy of Roses / Dani California / Charlie / Look Around / Otherside / Throw Away Your Television / Can’t Stop / The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie / Breaking The Girl / Me & My Friends / Ethiopia / Under the Bridge / Higher Ground (Stevie Wonder cover) / Californication / By The Way // [Encore] Chad & Mauro jam / The Power Of Equality / Hard to Concentrate / Give It Away / Final jam
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Dia tak main bloodsugarsexmagik? Wow… that’s such a good song. How was their cover of Higher Ground? Okay tak?
I have to admit I didn’t recognise Wonder’s HG that night – but after checking it out on YouTube, the Peppers did the song justice. I also found out that HG is one of the regular covers the Peppers would play live (eg the played it at Woodstock in ’94).
As for BSSM, they played it the night before or something. I thought a band like this don’t change their setlist nightly any more but I was wrong.
And the RHCP’s version is also on err… Guitar Hero!