ZenxRushx

ZenxRushx t1_j9v1di2 wrote

Reply to What was the best non-musical moment of a live concert that you've seen? by flatpickerz7

I saw the Muse/Foo Fighters/Red Hot Chili Peppers in early 2000. Crowd was awesome but really pushing hard to get as close to the front of the stage as possible. I know because I was on the arena floor about 150ft back from the stage. The arena closed access to the floor and would not let anyone back on if they left to get drinks or go to the bathroom in an attempt to settle things down a bit. To be clear, there was no violence, just crazy hot and nuts tight. An announcement was made by the arena over the sound system that if the floor did not settle down, they wouldhave to cancel rest of the show. Crowd settle down a tiny, tiny bit.

The Muse came out and played and they were fine. Lights came back up and the crowd had somehow swelled on the arena floor. We were packed like sardines and the pushing was getting worse. Security and arena employees were having to pull people out of the area by the front of the stage because they were being crushed. After the Muse played, the lights came up and Chad and Taylor came out to speak to the crowd. Crowd when nuts, Chad and Taylor stepped up to the mic and asked in a very friendly, casual manner for everyone to just step back a bit so the people in the front could get some air. This didn't work. The crowd just got more excited. Few minutes later, Dave Grohl comes out with his mom. I kid you not. His mom. She apparently lived in the town up the road and had come down with the rest of the family to see her son play. They had set up a small bleacher area right on the side of the stage for them to watch. Dave introduces her to the crowd. crowd does the requisite "Hi Mom!" and cheers like crazy. Momma Grohl steps up to the mic and says "You kids settle down now before someone gets hurt." Crowd loves it, cheers like crazy, Dave and his mom leave the stage. A few minutes pass and Dave comes out with the band and, house lights still up, ride of the valkyries going on the sound system, tears into Monkey Wrench. They do their set, like 10-12 bangers in a row, few minutes later RHCP comes out and do their set.

One of my all time, favorite shows ever.

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