Вторник 28 Июн 2011, 0:50
Artist: Rush
Date: June 26th, 2011
Location: Concord
Venue: Sleep Train Pavilion
Tour: Time Machine Tour
Remarks:
Even though I saw Rush already on this tour in Mountain View, when the chance to see them again came up there was no way I could turn it down. Despite playing the exact same setlist, it didn't make it any less exciting. Having gone through the entire studio discography of Rush since the last concert, it made it even more exciting. Not only that, this time we upgraded ourselves from the lawn to seats, although they were pretty close to the back! But nonetheless, we could actually see the legendary power trio quite clearly!
Just like one would expect, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart did not fail to impress. Their individual and combined technical prowess is simply unmatched. Geddy's voice really shone on their later tracks, like Far Cry or Working Those Angels. Unfortunately, it sounded a little bit more worn on the older tracks with higher registers, which is understandable after being on the road for nearly a year straight. Neil Peart, who has more talent in one of his limbs then I have in my entire body, powered through the entire set blasting beats like a mad man. He is more at home behind a drum set than a fish is in water! Of course there was also Mr. Alex Lifeson completing the trinity with his effortless guitar playing. Sailing through amazing solos like Limelight or shredding like crazy at the end of Working Man, it was all gracefully done.
It's hard to describe, but there's a different feeling when you go to a Rush concert. Sure, there's always that excitement of seeing a performance, hearing great music being played live. What I think sets Rush concerts apart from other ones, is the fans. Everyone in good spirits, singing along, enjoying the amazing music the three guys on stage are creating. I suppose it's only fitting that they start with The Spirit Of The Radio:
Invisible airwaves crackle with life
Bright antennae bristle with the energy
Emotional feedback on timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price, almost free
Setlist:
●The Spirit Of Radio (After the silly intro video and hearing every imaginable style of The Spirit Of Radio possible, the trio takes to the stage and we hear how it's really meant to be played. A few technical hiccups, but everyone is on their feet and we're off to an epic start!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRgje4xyXmM
●Time Stand Still
●Presto
●Stick It Out
●Workin' Them Angels (Geddy really shined here, his voice was spot on.)
●Leave That Thing Alone (Grooving instrumental jam between them that I've become fond of.)
●Faithless
●BU2B (This song makes me quite excited for the new album. Very aggressive riff and a nice catchy melody. I do believe they set off some pyros or fireworks here to keep us on our toes!)
●Freewill
●Marathon
●Subdivisions (A very grand way of closing out the first set, everyone singing, Geddy keyboarding, bassing, and singing all at once.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJNd4430e6k
Intermission
●Tom Sawyer (Once that time machine hit 1979 we got another video treat, leading right into the classic, Tom Sawyer. Just about everyone stayed on their feet for the entire Moving Pictures!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW5NgYSwiIg
●Red Barchetta
●YYZ
●Limelight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMYtUD9U1sg
●The Camera Eye
●Witch Hunt (No sooner then I thought "Burn the witch," the pyros start going off all over the stage!)
●Vital Signs
●Caravan
●Drum Solo (aka "Love 4 Sale) (Just… freaking incredible.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5FFKhFBuCw
●Closer To The Heart (Alex gives us a very nice acoustic intro here.)
●2112 Overture/The Temples of Syrinx (As the spacey images on screen give way to the infamous starman, everyone goes wild!)
●Far Cry (A well placed fireworks blast, just to make sure we're still paying attention.)
Encore
●La Villa Strangiato (After the shortest encore break ever, they decide it's polka time! Then, out of nowhere, they launch right into the epicness that is the Villa.)
●Working Man (To round out the night, they shifted to reggae to start the song, then end it with an intense shredding fest between Geddy and Alex with Neil going crazy behind them.)