Shane EvansAfter a very colorful and distorted Mars Volta got off of the stage, the night began.
It started out as a face off between bassist Michael Balzary a.k.a. Flea and guitarist John Frusciante. There were no flashing lights, no backup dancers, no special effects; just the bass and guitar. With eyes peeled on Flea and Frusciante’s dueling, no one saw drummer Chad Smith sneak up behind his set and start pounding his skins. In minutes, the opening guitar to “Can’t Stop” came in blaring with lead singer Anthony Kiedis jumping erratically onto the stage.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers played Philadelphia’s Wachovia Center for two shows on Oct. 23 and Oct. 24 for their newest album, “Stadium Arcadium,” which has been a hit since its debut on May 9.
“Can’t Stop” was immediately followed by “Dani California,” “Scar Tissue” and “Charlie.”
They played songs off of “The Uplift Mofo Party Plan,” “Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik,” “Californication,” “By The Way,” and “Stadium Arcadium.”
One of the highlights of the show was John Frusciante’s rendition of Simon and Garfunkel’s “For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her.” Frusciante has released quite a few solo albums during his leave from the band in the mid ’90s and seeing him perform gives credit to his talents.
The last song before the encore, “By the Way,” led into the crowds praise. There was not one second of silence during those few minutes; the crowd was on their feet fiening for more.
Their encore answered the crowds plead for more. They were rewarded with “Soul to Squeeze” and, finally, “Give it Away.”
Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to: Loquitur@googlegroups.com . The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.
