My My, Hey Hey, Rock and Roll is Here to Stay

Foo Fighters gave Mohegan Sun something to celebrate on Sunday, October 4, bringing nearly three hours of career-spanning rock-and-roll muscle to the Uncasville, CT arena. With familiar anthems, deep cuts from their earliest recordings, and a tribute to Taylor Hawkins, the concert celebrated a band whose catalog has become part of the soundtrack of several generations.

The concert was part of Mohegan Sun’s 30th anniversary festivities, which include concerts from Alanis Morissette, John Mayer, and Lainey Wilson. For the Foo’s, coming off their “Take Cover” stadium tour, the relatively intimate Connecticut stop was refreshing. The setlist mixed the band’s better-known hits, deeper cuts, and a medley of songs from bands Foo members previously played in, letting them show their punk-rock roots. Add a bit of commentary and good-natured banter from leader Dave Grohl, who understands that rock and roll is serious business, and you’ve got a rock show for the ages!

The concert kicked off with a few high-intensity bangers, which was more or less the theme for the evening.  “All My Life,” “The Pretender,” and “Times Like These” are a formidable trio that put some of the band’s strongest material right up front. “Rope” and “Stacked Actors” followed, with “My Hero” and “Learn to Fly” adding two more signature songs to an already generous opening stretch.

The audience matched that energy throughout the night, with longtime fans and first-timers joining in as the evening unfolded. Mid-set, “This Is a Call” and “Big Me” revisited the band’s beginnings, while “Marigold” reached further back into Grohl’s songwriting history. A solo “Under You” shifted the tone, and a moving take on “Aurora” was dedicated to late drummer Taylor Hawkins.

The closing stretch kept spirits high -- “Monkey Wrench” featured a powerhouse outro from drummer Ilan Rubin and “Best of You” turned into a nice sing-along with those in attendance. The encore paired “Exhausted” with “Everlong,” bringing an early deep cut together with one of the band’s defining songs.

Much of the band’s strength comes from the conviction they bring to the stage. Grohl approaches the job with a working-class attitude, throwing himself into each performance with the stamina of a professional athlete. He works hard, laughs often, and lives the ethos that rock and roll is here to stay. No doubt Foo Fighters carry the torch of rock and roll forward, with no apologies. 

Two more big shows are scheduled at Mohegan Sun as their 30th birthday continues this weekend – John Mayer on Friday, October 9 and Lainey Wilson on Saturday, October 10. Learn more at MoheganSun.com.