Foo Fighters - The Dragonfly (2.04.2011)

The previous week had been full of a variety of tweets.  People were trying to read clues into every tweet/photo clue/radio clue and had rumors of the upcoming Foo show to be anywhere from Seattle to Dallas.  One tweet suggested that the band's white limo (upcoming song title) would be at the site of the next show. The band began tweeting quite intently Friday. A friend of mine drove in from Arizona, just in hopes of catching a show (and that it would be in Los Angeles). Quite a leap of faith!  After spinning Friday morning, I spent the day with a friend at the Grove, sporadically checking recent clues. It was still anyone's guess. Based a conversation with a friend I was suspicious of it being at the Dragonfly or Echoplex. I was going to go get coffee in Silverlake and hop on my computer while waiting for the final clues. I passed the Dragonfly, but didn't see any action there so continued on my way. I was just getting on the 101 South when Dave sent some more photo clues and got confirmation from two friends that the show was at the Dragonfly. I hopped off the highway, called Kristin (halfway screaming in the phone from excitement....she was just down the road at Amoeba Records), luckily found parking and ran to the front of the venue. I paid and got a wristband from their manager. 

 Fans were told to leave until 7:30, but everyone kind of hovered along the sidewalk. I saw some other Foo fans I knew, as well as made some new ones. One was a member of the Roxy VIP club and while we were in line he recieved an email regarding a secret show at the Roxy on Monday with a video shoot (at the time I thought this was the secret Arcade Fire show, but over the weekend became more suspicious that it would be another round of Foo)  It was a small enough venue that the band just pulled up out front sporadically for valet. The majority of people were very cool, calm and collected, just saying hi to Dave as he walked by. After waiting two hours, we were allowed to enter the venue. Kristin, her friend and I ended up second row. The venue used to be more of an old school punk venue and had a very cool vibe. Bob Mould (of Husker Du and Sugar) opened solo. It was fun to see him for the influence he has had on many bands I like, but could have benefited from some backup (bass / drums / etc.) 

Foo took to the stage, starting with the new album straight through. From the previous week's show at the Velvet Jones, they've tightened up the new songs, and it's been fun to get to be more familiar with them!  During one of Dave's banter sessions he talked about Twitter (and how his mom turned him onto it). The crowd was very receptive as well. Being a bar, the show was 21+ which several years I wouldn't have been happy about, but now I certainly am. The set was very similar to the previous week with the addition of Aurora which was very special (it's one of Kristin and my favorite songs).



Members of Tenacious D as well as Butch Vig (producer for the new album and Nirvana's Nevermind) were in the audience.

 This was the first show where they made some new merchandise (White Limo, Double-F logo, and Arlandria) which was for sale for $10 (at the arena shows, concert shirts are typically $30+) 

We hung out and after talking to several of our crew friends were taken to the private side bar area. We got to hang out and talk to the drummer, Taylor, for a bit. We were going to be introduced to Dave, but he disappeared before we could work our way over. We were going to go out to a late-night diner with the crew, but they had to get the equipment back to the studio (and it was already 2:30) so we decided to call it a night. Tired and ears still ringing, it was another great night of Foo!