Bros bond as Chili Peppers stay red hot
Itwas bros night out Saturday inHouston, thanks to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The group’s sold- out show was energized by a largely young, rowdy male crowd. They sang along, fist- pumped and even got a little misty during “Scar Tissue.”
Therewere a few too many unfamiliar moments, mostly from 2011 album “I’m With You,” that sent some scurrying up the aisles. But you can’t fault a band toomuch for plugging the new stuff.
Recent- ish single “Monarchy of Roses” set a thundering pace that remained throughout the brisk set. Frontman Anthony
Kiedis literally skipped onstage in a green T- shirt — stripped off by the fourth song— and black pants with one missing leg revealing a tube sock.
Multiple screens displayed each band member above the stage, and every song was punctuated with colored flashes of light. Kiedis and bassist
Flea still have a scrappy energy, though the whole unit doesn’t rock quite as hard as it used to. ( Guitarist Josh Klinghoffer remained seated for large chunks of the show.)
It’s strange to imagine RHCP has been doing it so long, but the band was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame earlier this year. ( The current tour, which included aMarch date in Houston, was postponed earlier this year due to Kiedis’ foot injuries.)
“Snow ( Hey Oh)” typified the energy between band and crowd. There was lots of yelling and singing but little stage banter, aside from a few thank- yous and song introductions.
When the unmistakable “Under the Bridge” riff kicked in, every voice and hand seemed to lift into the air. That charge of energy led the band through its fiery cover of
StevieWonder’s “Higher Ground” and a mournful “Californication.”
The final stretch, which included “By theWay” and closer “Give It Away,” found RHCP in peak form. Kiedis was as loose and lively as the music. And the bros couldn’t stop smiling.