Foo Fighters deliver three hours of rock anthems, phenomenal musicianship and unforgettable moments at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
Foo Fighters. WOW! What a phenomenal performance. If there was ever any doubt that rock 'n' roll is alive, well and showing absolutely no signs of slowing down, Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters put that argument to bed at Accor Stadium last night.
Three hours. Thirty-one years of hits. Sixteen Australian tours. One extraordinary band. And a frontman who seemingly runs on a combination of pure adrenaline, rock 'n' roll spirit and whatever it is that keeps an ox going!
From the moment the Foo Fighters hit the stage, we were treated to an absolute masterclass in live entertainment. The setlist was brilliant, the sound was enormous without losing its clarity, and the lighting, visuals and special effects were spectacular. Every element was meticulously put together, yet the performance never felt overly polished or rehearsed. It had that wonderful, slightly unpredictable energy that makes a great rock concert so memorable.
And then there's Dave Grohl. What can you say? The man has the stamina of an ox, the enthusiasm of someone playing their first-ever gig and the ability to command a stadium full of people without ever appearing to take himself too seriously. He spent much of the night charging around the stage, belting out hit after hit, all while engaging with the crowd in his wonderfully quirky, occasionally irreverent way. His storytelling, banter and spontaneous detours were every bit as entertaining as the music.
There was plenty of opportunity to appreciate the extraordinary musicianship of the entire band, too. Each member had their moment in the spotlight, with individual solos and opportunities to showcase their musical pedigree, including nods to their previous bands and musical journeys. These weren't simply musicians standing behind Dave Grohl; they are exceptionally talented performers in their own right.
One particularly memorable moment saw Dave take his place behind the drums, giving us a nostalgic reminder of his Nirvana days. It was a fantastic little trip down memory lane and a reminder of just how much musical history this man has been part of.
Among the more touching moments was the tribute to Todd Russell, the Beaconsfield miner who sadly passed away aged 54. Dave recalled meeting Todd and writing an instrumental piece inspired by him. It was a lovely, heartfelt gesture that demonstrated another side of the Foo Fighters – beneath all the volume, humour and rock-star theatrics, there's a genuine appreciation for people and their stories.
Of course, no Foo Fighters concert would be complete without a few unexpected moments. Two medical emergencies in the crowd meant Dave had to temporarily improvise, filling the gaps with his trademark combination of war stories, amusing anecdotes and references to his own injuries. Rather than losing momentum, he somehow managed to turn these interruptions into additional entertainment. Perhaps the combination of youngins and old-school rockers, all united in their enthusiasm for three decades of rock anthems, was always going to produce the occasional medical incident! Either way, credit to the crowd and the medical teams for handling things.
There was also some light-hearted crowd participation involving a song previously used in a Mentos advertisement. Thomas took the opportunity to demonstrate his commitment to the cause by smashing an entire tube of Mentos and skull-ing a Coors Light, ultimately earning himself a backstage pass. A performance within a performance! Whether it was the sugar rush or the beer that sealed the deal, it certainly added another entertaining chapter to the evening.
The supporting acts deserve a mention as well. Teens and, particularly, Belair Lip Bombs did a fantastic job setting the scene. Their relatively short 30-minute sets were ideal for welcoming the crowds, building the atmosphere and providing the perfect soundtrack as the sun went down. By the time the Foo Fighters appeared, the stadium was well and truly ready to rock.
And what a venue. Accor Stadium delivered a great concert experience. Having the train station practically at the front door makes getting there and home remarkably straightforward. The queues for toilets and beverages were surprisingly manageable, the facilities were well organised, and even the weather played along. Despite the forecast threatening to add another dimension to the evening, the rain stayed away. I think I felt precisely one raindrop – hardly enough to dampen anyone's enthusiasm.
What really struck me, though, was the incredible cross-generational appeal of the Foo Fighters. There were young fans experiencing their heroes live for the first time, alongside old-school rockers who have followed Dave Grohl's journey from Nirvana through to the Foo Fighters and beyond. Different generations, different musical memories, but everyone singing along to the same songs. That's quite an achievement for a band celebrating 31 years together.
And that's perhaps the greatest testament to the Foo Fighters. They haven't simply survived three decades in an industry that chews up and spits out bands at an alarming rate. They've continued to produce music, fill stadiums and deliver performances that remind you why live music is such a special experience. Sixteen Australian tours and they still have the ability to make a stadium feel like one enormous rock 'n' roll party.
Three hours of high-energy entertainment, an outstanding setlist, phenomenal musicianship, plenty of laughs, a few emotional moments and enough classic songs to leave your voice somewhere in the upper tiers of Accor Stadium.
Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters didn't just turn up to play a concert. They put on a show.
An absolute cracker of a night. Rock royalty at its very best. If you missed it, you've got some serious catching up to do.
And Dave, seriously, perhaps consider giving the rest of us a little break between songs. Some of us need to recover just watching you!
Reviewed by: Michael Rice
Photos by: Ashley Mar