Red Hot Chili Peppers
Getaway' receiving mixed reviews, you would possibly surprise if this headline set is what Reading desires in 2016. however deciding by the gang – the largest of the weekend by miles – it looks Reading cannot get enough of the factious funk-rockers.
Tonight found the four-piece on fine type, their new tracks slotted in nicely aboard recent favourites. ‘Dark Necessities’’ anthemic chorus appeared tailor created for the inexperienced fields of St John’s Farm, whereas the futurist dance hall vibes of ‘Go Robot’ were a refreshing modification from funk-rock familiarity.
That’s to not say the classics didn’t go down well. Opener ‘Can’t Stop’ sent the gang into a fast delirium, and standout track ‘Snow (Hey Oh)’ received one amongst the largest cheers of the weekend. However, some songs, like setlist mainstays ‘Scar Tissue’ and ‘Parallel Universe’, measured stale by comparison. Kiedis’ typically sharp delivery appeared slack, and therefore the band gave the look of they were simply rummaging the motions.
The band's most up-to-date member, ride Klinghoffer has very inherit his own recently, and tonight’s set was no totally different. His tortured backing vocals square measure additional Kurt Cobain than John Frusciante, however it’s nice to examine him finally stamping his own mark on the Chilis’ sound. Even the trademark screaky solos weren’t an inexpensive Frusciante imitation – as has been the case within the past.
Klinghoffer wasn’t the one taking centre stage tonight tho'. That honour visited Anthony Kiedis, currently in his thirty third year as frontman. often disreputable and fair onstage, Kiedis will have his off days, however at Reading he was a revelation. His snarling, projection performance enraptured the gang, evoking pictures of the well-loved Slane Castle shows in 2003. Even throughout slower, melancholic tunes ‘Under The Bridge’ and ‘Goodbye Angels’ he American ginseng with a ringing conviction that’s been missing on recent tours.
This focus ultimately resulted in less verbal sparring onstage than traditional, however it absolutely was worthwhile. Of course, epizoan still had time to announce his intention to go to the funfair and “vomit on everyone”. whereas in even saltier banter, Kiedis asked his goof bass player once he last “shit his pants”. Delightful.
In the finish tho', Reading was wherever it all came along for a band that’s been on the comeback path since Frusciante quit in 2009. Two albums, many hundred shows and one health scare later and they’re finally back wherever they belong. On the most stage at Reading, activity to sixty,000 adoring fans.