Foo Fighters – August 3rd – Empower Field @ Mile High

Photos by Kevin Martinico

Last weekend, Foo Fighters headlined their largest North American show ever at Empower Field at Mile High. It’s a testament to the band’s enduring appeal that they can still pack stadiums nearly 30 years after I first saw them at the Tibetan Freedom Concert in Golden Gate Park in 1996. Back then, they shared the stage with a veritable who’s who of the 90s music scene—Beastie Boys, A Tribe Called Quest, The Smashing Pumpkins, Björk, Rage Against the Machine, among others. If you had told me that the drummer from Nirvana would not only take this band into the 21st century but would be headlining stadiums almost 30 years later, I wouldn’t have believed you.

But here we are. The Foo Fighters, in a slightly different configuration, took the stage with more energy than ever. Dave Grohl, now 55 but still a big kid, kicked off the night with “All My Life” from 2002’s One by One. The crowd, already amped up by opening sets from Wolfgang Van Halen’s Mammoth and the “age ain’t nothing but a number” Pretenders, erupted in unison. The stadium, filled with die-hard fans and new listeners (their kids), transformed into a sea of fist-pumping enthusiasm.

The performance’s first half was an unrelenting barrage of hard rock sing-alongs. From “Times Like These” to “Learn to Fly,” the setlist was a journey through the band’s extensive catalog. Each song was delivered with the passion and precision that only a seasoned band like Foo Fighters can muster. By the time they launched into “Breakout,” the crowd was in a frenzy.

Midway through the set, Grohl took a moment to introduce the band, playfully dubbing them “a supergroup, a super duper group!” Each member’s introduction was accompanied by partial cover songs highlighting their diverse musical backgrounds. Nate from Sunny Day Real Estate, Pat from Nirvana and The Germs; Chris from No Use for a Name; Josh Freese from Devo, NIN, and Vandals; and Rami Jaffee, “the only one who went to school for this.” The intros were a celebratory part of the show, but it was the man who was missing that received the most attention.

The band’s beloved drummer, Taylor Hawkins, may have passed on, but his spirit was present throughout the night. Grohl’s voice carried an emotional weight during an acoustic rendition of “Under You,” a tribute to his late friend. The moments of remembrance were heartfelt, especially when Grohl shared that they perform “Aurora” every night because it was Taylor’s favorite song. At one point, Grohl even mentioned seeing something flying by in the sky, making him feel like “he’s here.”

Despite the tributes and reminiscences, this was still very much a rock show. Foo Fighters delivered over two and a half hours of straight-up rock without politics, pyro, or gimmicks—unless you count Rami’s “Snoop Dogg at the Olympics” accordion skills.

“Let’s turn this stadium show into a keg party!” Grohl exclaimed, his infectious energy unrelenting. “They told me to watch the altitude, but fuck that!” The crowd, undeterred by the altitude or the duration, threw that attitude right back at him.

When they played “This Is a Call,” the song they opened with at the Tibetan Freedom Concert, it struck me how much they’ve evolved while remaining true to their roots. So many bands I saw at that fest when I was a teenager no longer exist, making it all the more special to see Foo Fighters still carrying the torch.

The night was a powerful reminder of Foo Fighters’ staying power and unique ability to connect with audiences on a grand scale. They’ve only gotten better with age, and their performance at Empower Field was a testament to their enduring legacy. Long live Foo Fighters!