The last time I was able to photograph the Red Hot Chili Peppers they were playing a free show in front of HMV on Yonge st. Californication had recently been released only a month earlier. It was July 22 1999, my 24th birthday. I was shooting a 35mm film camera and my lenses were not long enough to capture anything good except for a couple of shots of the band getting into their limo before being chauffeured away.
Fast forward to July 15 2024. The band, like myself, have come through a lot of adversity since 1999. Two Sold Out shows at Budweiser Stage prove they continue to be a funkified musical force. I was grateful for the opportunity to see this incredible band again…and this time with serious camera gear (that’s a story for a different publication though).
Coincidentally, Californication was the most represented album at the show. A testament to its legacy. The band is touring on their latest two albums that were released in 2022, Unlimited Love and Return Of The Dream Canteen. The setlist included a diverse selection of songs spanning the band’s history. A groovy instrumental jam that consisted of Chad, John and Flea got things flowing. Scar Tissue, Snow (Hey Oh) and Parallel Universe were other notable songs performed out of the gate.
My favourite segment was in the middle of the concert when they played Soul To Squeeze, Me And My Friends, the Ramones cover Havana Affair and John Frusciante’s solo cover of David Bowie’s Soul Love. I was not expecting that! As an OG fan I got my freak on during Me And My Friends and most of the younger crowd just stared at me. The ’80’s were a different time.
There was playful stage banter all night. At one point members started discussing their Canadian musical identities and apparently the band consisted of Alanis Morrisette playing drums, Gordon Lightfoot (back from the dead) on vocals, Burton Cummings playing guitar and Flea, of course, on bass. I fully anticipated a stirring rendition of The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald but it was not to be. Maybe next time.
Later John and Anthony sang together on The Heavy Wing. Californication as well as one of my new favorites, Black Summer continued the party vibes and By The Way had the crowd wanting more. As the band left the stage the stadium cameras turned back towards the crowd. Fans smiling with happy faces cheering loudly for their heroes to return were shown on all screens. It was a moment of Unlimited Love. The love was returned during the encores as the band played Could Have Lied before bringing the house down, ripping into a fiery version of Give It Away. A very satisfying evening!
Connect with Red Hot Chili Peppers: Website || Twitter/X || Facebook || Instagram
Be sure to check out Live Nation Ontario to see all of the other great acts that they will be bringing to Toronto this year.
