Concrete & Gold
As this summer rolls on, so do the concerts. But unlike U2 last month this one’s been waiting in the wings since the end of last year. Tonight, the sky became the neighborhood as I went to see the Foo Fighters at Jones Beach.
It wasn’t the first time that I would see the Foos live. It was three years ago on July 16th at Citi Field. That night had so many x factors that made it one the three best concerts I’ve ever been to. From frontman Dave Grohl sitting on his throne recovering from a broken leg, to the field level seat my eternally awesome sister got for me, to Dr.Know and H.R.of the DC punk band, Bad Brains joining the band for two songs. And of course, I can still faintly hear the chorus of the song, “Best of You” all these years later. I didn’t want that night to come to an end. The poster from that show resides on the back wall of my room’s door in tattered glory as I had to pull a tape job to save it. The state of euphoria I was in was so strong that I was desperate to hold onto the good feeling. I would take that mantra too far at the staff party the next day putting my life in danger. As the years went by, I yearned to have that feeling again.
Before leaving for Ireland, I would but my copy of Concrete and Gold. From the opening song, Run to the closing title track, I felt more engaged with the album as opposed to their previous work, 2014’s Sonic Highways. At the end of October I would find out that the Foos were going on tour in support of Concrete and Gold the following summer. The plan was to get a ticket for the 7/16 concert, three years to the day of Citi Field. But both shows for Madison Square Garden were sold out. But Jones Beach wasn’t and I bought a ticket for the show on 7/14. It would be my first time back in the beach since Aerosmith and Slash with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators performed in July of 2014.
After a week at work where I couldn’t stop apologizing, I was ready for the night ahead. To get to Jones Beach is an endeavor. First, I had to take the E train to the Sutphin Avenue -Archer Avenue stop. I then had to buy my tail tickets for the LIRR and get to Freeport to catch the NICE bus. But there was a wrench in the plan, the bus didn’t drop off at the theater itself but at the West bathhouse. It was a walk to the venue, but a pretty one with the Sun setting over the beach. As a result of the delays in getting to the venue, I missed the entire set of the opening act, The Struts. But I picked up a conversation with a group of four with beers in hand prior to getting to my seat.
A little after 8:30p.m., the lights went out and the opening notes of the song “All My Life” rang out with everyone belting it out. And for the rest of the 22 song set that followed, the band kept that same level of intensity. On top of their songs, there was room for two special cameos, John Travolta in the crowd and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers joining the band for a performance of the Faces song “Stay with Me” with drummer Taylor Hawkins on vocals. He would also join Luke of the Struts for a run on the David Bowie and Quenn classic duet “Under Pressure” with Dave on drums. But at night’s end came with the same shot of euphoria, for Best of You and the oooo, ooo, ohhhh that keeps on going for eternally.When the encore started, it was going to be three songs. But as it was their first time in the venue, we got a four song encore. I was happily spent from standing and singing all night. My night was only beginning.
Getting out of Jones Beach would be an unpleasant experience. The NICE buses stop running at 10pm. That would be a problem as I had no way to get home. I stood for an hour afterwards to find someone heading back to the city. A quarter past midnight, I would squeeze on to a taxi carrying six people who were heading in my direction. But the wait for the LIRR was excruciating as the train wouldn’t arrive until 1:30a.m. Sunday morning. Thankfully, the Bud Light offered by a couple sitting on the bench next to me took the sting out of waiting. I felt so happy not to be in the driving rain at the concert. Alas, the long night’s journey to day finally ended with a cab ride to the house.
Thankfully, the remaining concerts will be in NYC. Next it will be band from Sheffield, England, the Arctic Monkeys at Forest Hills next week followed by the Smashing Pumpkins at MSG in August and Then Garbage in Brooklyn at the end of October.
There rest of the year is going to eventful. I cant wait to see it happen!
