Foo Fighters - Take Cover Tasmania
Are you going to the Foo Fighters?” seemed to be the phrase on every Tasmanian’s tongue over the past week. The response being either “Absolutely! I bought a ticket for the whole family, AND the dog,” or “Na, I can hear it from my house, so I’m just going to listen from the backyard.” Either way, it's a win-win.
Over 25,000 travellers were expected to pass through Launceston Airport over the long weekend. With every hotel room, Airbnb, campsite, and couch being booked, road closures, extended city parking, increased hospitality staff and extended opening hours, Launceston was gearing up for a weekend unlike any other. Or maybe one reminiscent of a weekend back in 2015, when The Foo Fighters last rocked Tasmania’s socks off.
Since I live so close to the venue (a huge change from my usual flight to Melbourne for such a large-name show), I went for a walk around the venue. I expected chaos. Stand still traffic, endless lines for merch and camp chairs at the gate; this was not what I experienced. And maybe that has something to say about Tasmania’s even more blaise faire (laissez-faire) culture. Let’s leave at six and waltz in by ten past. The day seemed to run as any other weekend football game at UTAS Stadium.
Surrounding this event has been plenty of political discussion. Does Tasmania need a new stadium? Do we need an AFL team? Was it really worth $650,000 of taxpayer and council funding to bring this legendary band to this quiet little tourist island? Only time can tell on that front. So for now, let's focus on what we can discuss with certainty - the music.
Launceston is a sleepy town, so numbers were not overly large as local Lutruwita opening act, Spooky Eyes, took to the stage. This powerhouse acid rock trio took on this demanding job with ease; if there were nerves, you couldn’t tell. Drummer Jaxson Bassett really brought the energy to this set, while bass player Piper Raynar and Jude Hastings, in charge of lead guitar and vocals, tied in that psychedelic blues vibe to the set. For many of those in the local music scene, a ticket to the Foo Fighters was most importantly a ticket to go support not only a local act in Spooky Eyes, but also their friends. A massive congratulations to the trio.
From just over the pond (Brisbane), Full Flower Moon Band graced us with their psychedelic, gritty rock. Kate Dillon, better known as Babyshakes, brought that classic Aussie rockstar energy to the stage. A real Amyl and the Sniffers, hey ho- let's go get em’! energy. Overall, the band were tight, engaging and a perfect middle ground between Spooky Eyes and what was to come.
If Spooky Eyes and Full Flower Moon Band were high-quality cheese and crackers, The Foo Fighters were top-shelf Tasmanian wine. A sweeping mop of hair and entourage in tow, Grohl got the audience singing at the top of their lungs from the get-go.
“We fell in love with your country the first time we came down, and we’ve been in love ever since,” Grohl told audiences.
We got all the classics with Pretender, Best of You and of course My Hero and even a cover of Ace of Spades by legendary Motörhead. Drummer Ilan Rubin particularly grabbed my attention with his hard-hitting solos and impeccable energy. Mums and dads sang along with Grohl's immaculate rock voice, most likely reminiscing about their younger years, while their kids watched in amazement at the spectacle. And what a powerful thing it is to see music transcend generations. The band seemed to be having as much fun on stage as the crowd were, as they played each song with such clarity and ease.
As the sun set over UTAS Stadium, a tearful Grohl dedicated their performance of Under You to the late Taylor Hawkins. For a while, I lay in the grass, looking up at the stars. I felt the earth trembling beneath me as sound roared through the sky. I got to lie there in my hometown alongside my friend, and I could not help but think of just how powerful music is - not only physically, but emotionally too. Fans young and old, families, friends, new couples and those celebrating their 50th year together; and here we all are in little old Launceston… with global rock legends… The Foo Fighters… in what world?!
The Foo Fighters, of course, have a very special connection to Tasmania. In 2006, tragedy struck the mining town of Beaconsfield when part of the mine collapsed. Trapped beneath the earth for two weeks, when survivors Brant Webb and Todd Russell emerged, they asked for food, water and an iPod with the Foo Fighters on it. Fast forward some time, and what came of this was the fantastic acoustic ballad which Grohl performed as part of the encore entitled Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners. Tasmanians often say we are all about celebrating the community, and if this part of the night did not encapsulate that idea, then I am not sure what else could.
Walking out of the venue to the final droning notes of Everlong, all I could do was smile. This show proved that Tasmania is a music community. From our small local scene to our large music festivals, we Taswegians love our live music. For now, however, it certainly feels like a novelty. A once-in-a-lifetime event - the kind a lot of young Tasmanians will tell their grandkids about in their grey years; “Now back in my day, I saw the Foo Fighters at UTAS stadium. Once in a lifetime show that was!”
Gallery https://musicfestivalsaustralia.com/event-photos/foo-fighters-take-cover-tasmania
Thank you to the Foo Fighters and Frontier Touring for having us along.
Review & Photos by Eva Dudes for Music Kingdom Australia
