The Red Hot Chili Peppers are arguably one of the world’s most successful rock bands. For their most recent tour, they stopped by Sydney for one show only – and it was a night not to forget.
Formed in 1983 with lead singer Anthony Kiedis, bassist (and local Aussie) Flea, guitarist Hillel Slovak and drummer Jack Irons, the boys were originally called Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem – before changing their name to the Red Hot Chili Peppers soon after blowing up in 1983.
Over the years the boys evolved – through love and loss – after tragically losing Slovak to a heroin addiction in 1988, which followed by Irons leaving the band.
Now, the band consists of founding members Anthony Kiedis and Flea, as well as drummer Chad Smith and guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.
On February 19, the boys brought their long awaited tour to Sydney – their first Australian headline tour in 12 years.
And it was well worth the wait.
We started off the night at the Live Nation Green Room pre-show party, powered by Virgin Australia, before making our way to the jam-packed Qudos Bank Arena, where RHCP fans were getting hyped up for the band’s performance.
With a 36 year history, the band has A LOT of songs – 166 to be exact. So I was thrilled that they played all the hits I’d grown up loving.
Californication, By The Way, Scar Tissue and Snow (Hey Oh) were just some of the timeless tunes performed on the night.
Both Kiedis and Flea had the energy of their 20-year-old former selves – despite both being 56 – and the talent of Smith on the drums was mind blowing.
I’ve been disappointed in the past with bands that haven’t sounded anything like their recorded hits live, but the RHCP sounded exactly like you’d expect – with a little cheeky entertainment on the side.
The boys looked to be having the time of their lives on stage, even after all these years. With their three-decade long history, the bands’ bond was evident.
It was a night to remember.
Despite the rise of trendy pop and auto-tuned hits, bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers will never go out of style, and will be loved for generations to come.
The next time they come to town, I’ll be front row in the mosh pit.
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