18 May 9 - 15, 2024 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents gently strumming the chords to mega-hit, “My Hero” from 1997’s The Colour and the Shape album. “I want to dedicate this next one to an old friend that lived around here,” Grohl said. “His name was Dimebag Darrell.” Grohl’s reference and song dedication to Pantera lead guitarist and Dallas musical legend Dimebag Darrell Abbott evoked a tender spark of emotion from the crowd as they paid their tributes, singing every word of the Foo Fighters single. “Learn to Fly” and “These Days” fol- lowed in the next grouping of songs before a raucous performance of “All My Life.” The band then dove into a curious mash-up of their new song “Nothing at All” with the classic, “I’ll Stick Around.” Then came “The Glass,” “Monkeywrench” and “Aurora.” This one made Grohl say a few words about his old friend and late bandmate, drummer Tay- lor Hawkins. “We like to do this song every night be- cause it was Taylor Hawkins’ favorite Foo Fighters song,” Grohl said. “You know, Tay- lor always loved coming here because Taylor was from here. Every time we played Dallas, his whole family came out. I don’t know if you’ve ever been in a room full of Taylor Hawkins, but it’s amazing. So, this one’s for Taylor.” After “Aurora” Grohl announced that the Foo Fighters had one song left before ripping into a bombastic performance of “Best of You.” At 10:23 p.m., the Foo Fight- ers walked off a simmering smokey stage, blue lights gleaming as steam wafted freely into the 20,000-person crowd. But this crowd had no plans of leaving anytime soon. Hundreds of flashlights and lighters soon illuminated the entire Dos Equis Pavilion, reaching the furthest outskirts of the venue’s back wall. Nearly five minutes later, Grohl and company were back on stage. The crowd soon fell silent as Foo Fighters started playing “The Teacher,” an emotional song Grohl wrote for his late mother. The ending of this song seemed to be the culmination of decades of playing together as Foo Fighters performed a type of sonic surgery on the stage with thousands of people carefully watching their every move, sharing inti- macy, building empathy and ending the night on a note of hope. Finally, it was time for Foo Fighters to wrap up the night, which they did with a flawless performance of “Everlong,” quite possibly one of the best love songs ever written. As Foo Fighters left the stage and took their final bow, one couldn’t help but notice that the crowd’s intensity only grew throughout the night and crescendoed with the band at the climax of the show. For those inclined to preach the worn-out trope that rock ‘n’ roll is indeed dead, Foo Fighters and their rabid fans prove other- wise. Dave Grohl and his band consistently deliver showstopping performances, and the world just may need them to play well into the next two decades. At the end of every show, Grohl says that he doesn’t like saying goodbye to his fans. The fans certainly don’t like having to say goodbye to him, either. Music from p17 Hand built not bougHt. Franklins TaTToo and supply TWo loCaTions: 469-904-2665 • 4910 Columbia ave, dallas, TX 75214 903-710-2028 • 17581 old Jacksonville hwy, flint tx 75762 proFessional TaTToo supply For pros only Call for your appointment or design commissions today! D DIGITAL MARKETING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE INTERESTED CANDIDATES PLEASE SEND YOUR COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO CHARLIE. CHARLIE. DONDLINGER @DALLASOBSERVER.COM ICYMI IN CASE YOU MISSED IT SUBSCRIBE TO OUR DAILY NEWSLETTER DALLASOBSERVER.COM/SIGNUP
