The Foo Fighters are widely considered to be an excellent live band, known for their high energy performances and ability to engage crowds. Here are some quick answers about their live shows:
How long are their concerts?
A typical Foo Fighters concert lasts around 2-3 hours, with about 20-25 songs performed. They are known for playing marathon sets at festivals and special events, sometimes going over 3 hours.
Do they play their hits?
Absolutely. While the Foo Fighters are good about mixing up setlists and bringing out rare songs, they almost always play their big radio hits like “Everlong,” “My Hero,” “Learn to Fly,” “Best of You,” etc.
What’s Dave Grohl like as a frontman?
Dave Grohl is considered one of the most charismatic and high energy frontmen in rock. He runs and jumps around stage, interacts with fans, tells stories, and gives impassioned speeches. Fans love his personality.
How is the sound quality?
The Foo Fighters are known to put on a thick, powerful live sound, with clean vocals and crystal clear instrument separation. They are perfectionists about getting a pristine live sound.
Do they jam or do long solos?
There are usually one or two longer instrumental jams or solos during a Foo Fighters show, especially an extended solo by lead guitarist Chris Shiflett. But overall the shows are very song-focused.
How are the crowds?
Foo Fighters concerts have very high energy crowds who sing along loudly to all the hits. Lots of jumping up and down and screaming. The vibe is enthusiastic and celebratory.
Do they have openers?
Yes, the Foo Fighters typically have one or two opening acts who play for about 30-45 minutes before the Foos take the stage.
How is the light show?
Lighting at Foo Fighters concerts is elaborate, dynamic, and synced up perfectly to the songs. Bright, colorful lights sweep over the crowd and stage. A highlight is when they cover “Under Pressure” and use bold white lights.
Do they have pyrotechnics?
Absolutely! The Foo Fighters are known for big explosions of fire and pyrotechnics during songs like “All My Life,” “Best of You” and “The Pretender.” It adds to the excitement.
How are the acoustics?
The band plays big venues with state of the art sound, so acoustics are usually crisp, balanced and professionally mixed. Every instrument can be heard well throughout the venue.
Setlist Analysis – What Songs They Play
The Foo Fighters have such an extensive catalog of hits that they have a ton of options when assembling a setlist. They aim to play new songs off the latest album, older hits, and rare surprises at each show. Here’s an analysis of what songs tend to get played:
Locks – Songs They Play Every Show
These core songs are played at essentially every Foo Fighters show, with rare exceptions:
- “Everlong”
- “The Pretender”
- “My Hero”
- “Learn to Fly”
- “Times Like These”
- “Best of You”
Other Hits
These radio hits and fan favorites rotate through setlists frequently:
- “All My Life”
- “Monkey Wrench”
- “These Days”
- “Walk”
- “Rope”
- “Breakout”
New Songs
The Foos make sure to play several songs from their newest album on each tour. For 2021-22 that has included:
- “Making a Fire”
- “Waiting on a War”
- “No Son of Mine”
- “Shame Shame”
Rotating Older Songs
Deeper album cuts that rotate in and out of setlists:
- “This Is a Call”
- “Hey, Johnny Park!”
- “Big Me”
- “Arlandria”
- “Congregation”
- “Outside”
Rarities
Obscure songs they sometimes bust out to surprise fans:
- “Aurora”
- “For All the Cows”
- “See You”
- “Floaty”
Covers
Cover songs they’ve been known to play:
- “Under Pressure” (Queen)
- “Blitzkrieg Bop” (Ramones)
- “Rock and Roll” (Led Zeppelin)
- “Baker Street” (Gerry Rafferty)
Venue and Crowd Information
Foo Fighters concerts attract big, passionate crowds who come to rock out and sing along. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from the venues and audiences at their shows:
Venue Size
Foo Fighters usually play very large venues holding 15,000 – 60,000 people. Common venues include:
- Stadiums
- Festivals
- Arenas
- Amphitheaters
Set Time
As headliners, Foo Fighters typically take the stage around 9-10 PM and play until 11 PM – 12 AM.
| 7:00 PM | Doors Open |
| 8:00 PM | Opener #1 |
| 8:45 PM | Opener #2 |
| 9:45 PM | Foo Fighters Take Stage |
| 11:30 PM | Concert Ends |
Average Ticket Price
Tickets to see Foo Fighters usually range from $50 – $150 on average. Floor seats or close lower level seats typically run $100-$200.
Fan Demographic
Foo Fighters draw a wide age range, anyone from teens to middle-aged fans who grew up with their music in the 90s and 2000s. There’s a mix of men and women.
Crowd Size
They usually play to packed houses. Even at huge venues, they’ll often sell 40,000 – 60,000 tickets.
Crowd Energy
Extremely high energy. Fans are on their feet singing, dancing, and headbanging for the majority of the show.
Fan Reaction
Lots of singing along word-for-word to their hits. Big cheering and applause after solos. Crowd surfing is common.
Merchandise
Foo Fighters sell a wide range of merch at their shows including t-shirts, hoodies, hats, posters, and more ranging from $25 – $75 per item.
Why the Foo Fighters Put on an Amazing Live Show
There are many factors that contribute to the Foo Fighters delivering such acclaimed, memorable concerts time after time. Here are some of the key reasons they are able to consistently put on amazing live performances:
Dave Grohl’s Stage Presence
Frontman Dave Grohl is known for his high energy and connection with crowds. His constant running around and headbanging demonstrates his passion and helps hype up fans.
The Band’s Chemistry
Having played together over 25 years, the core band members have incredible chemistry. Their experience translates into tight, seamless shows.
Marathon Sets
The band routinely plays 2-3 hour marathon sets with over 20 songs that leave fans satisfied. Their stamina keeps the show rocking.
Production Values
From sound to lighting to pyrotechnics, no expense is spared. Their big budget productions result in an Arena/Stadium show feel.
song Catalog
With 10 albums of hits old and new, they can create diverse setlists tailored to each city that balance singalongs and surprises.
Musicianship
Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear are all stellar musicians who gel perfectly. Their skill shines through live.
Crowd Interaction
From Taylor Hawkins’ backflips to Dave Grohl’s speeches, the band is constantly connecting with the crowd and drawing them in.
Reputation
The band’s reputation as an incredible live act creates a sense of occasion and high expectations that they consistently fulfill.
High Quality Sound
Meticulous attention is paid to getting pristine live sound in every venue. This allows the music to come through powerfully.
Conclusion
Seeing the Foo Fighters live in concert is a definite must for any rock music fan. Their stellar catalog of anthemic hits, high energy marathon sets, charismatic stage presence, and spectacular production values come together to create an amazing live experience. The band puts everything they have into each show, resulting in a euphoric, community celebration of rock music at its finest. Once people see the Foo Fighters perform live, it’s easy to understand why they are one of the most popular, enduring and celebrated rock bands of the last 25 years.
