Foo Fighters LIVE @ The Invictus Games Closing Ceremony, 14.09.14

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Being able to attend the Invictus Games Closing Concert was a huge honour. A concert to mark the conclusion of this new sporting event launched by Prince Harry for injured servicemen and women, The Invictus Games is an event that inspires and motivates, showing the power and determination of some incredible individuals and providing hope for the future. With a sold out crowd of 26,000, this closing ceremony included special medallion ceremonies for each and every participant of the games, as well as a host of live music.

I arrive whilst Ellie Goulding enthusiastically bounds around the stage in her late ‘90s style, All Saints-esque crop top and baggy trousers. This whir of dancetopia is followed by Leeds lads, The Kaiser Chiefs; as Ricky Wilson frantically spends the set running from one side of the stage to the other, throwing (and tripping over) a hardly played tambourine, desperately shoving his face into whichever camera happens to be nearest, blasting out various football chants, I struggle to understand the reasoning behind their reformation… Luckily, the Chiefs’ set is brief, and what follows is something truly inspiring: as the whole of Team GB make their way onto the stage, they are presented with awards from those who have helped them through their rehabilitation, and the Olympic Stadium is filled with an air of jubilation and pride.

Next on stage is Prince Harry – though, in his black fleece, casual jeans and unassuming nature, you could be forgiven for mistaking him for any other non-prince… However, delivering a ‘message from Granny’ and an abundance of thank-yous to all involved, HRH delivers moving words and inspirational oratory skills (except when he calls Dave Grohl “really old”) worthy of a king. Ending his speech by introducing Foo Fighters, Harry even shows his gratitude for his aged headliner by exchanging a heartfelt hug.

Despite having seen Grohl in various forms thirteen times, I have never dared write about these experiences. They have been sacred to me, these memories of my musical hero, my companion through good and bad, a man whose creations I could accredit to being life-saving… So, to write about the way in which seeing Foo Fighters live makes me feel seems pretty much impossible: how can I ever do them justice? I’ll have a go though…

Blasting straight into a powerful rendition of ‘All My Life’, so begins a vigorous delivery of the raucous rock Foo Fighters are famous for. As I manage to scare away the elderly couple standing in front of me by hyper-actively screeching along to every word (sorry guys), I find myself right at the front of the stage and – as I frantically catch my breath, and cling to the barrier for fear of reliving V Festival 2001 – I am filled with that familiar all-consuming excitement in the knowledge that I’m just metres away from my idol.

Following this explosive start is the emotion-filled ‘Times Like These’ and I can’t help but notice the resonance to the day’s sentiment as Dave’s rasping vocals reassure us that ‘It’s times like these we learn to live again’… As the carefully constructed melodies from the 2003 classic ooze from the stage, I am quite sure I am not the only one of the huge crowd with a tear in my eye.

Continuing through classics such as ‘Learn To Fly’ and ‘My Hero’ (“This goes out to all the heroes!”), Dave appears to lack a little of the gusto I have seen on our 12 other meetings, but the grinding guitars, driving drums and undeniable charisma that we have all come to know and love manage to shine through. Following newer hits, ‘White Limo’ and ‘Arlandria’, Mr Grohl apologises that they don’t have much time – a factor which is disappointing and undeniably affects the set as a gaping hole is left where Grohl’s witty banter and rapport with the crowd usually is. He goes on to introduce the band, informing us that drummer, Taylor, will now sing ‘Cold Day In The Sun’; a fan of Hawkins’ gruff vocals and buoyant energy, this is one of my favourites and – even when the drummer momentarily forgets the words, bringing our attention to it by muttering “Ah shit” and deciding to continue the silliness by putting on an English accent – no love of mine is lost for the straggly-haired master of rhythm.

‘Walk’ marks another poignant moment in the set, as the heartfelt lyrics of learning to walk and talk again sweep over the crowd and remind of what those in attendance have achieved, whilst the only glimpse of Grohl’s character we really see is in his introduction to ‘Best Of You’: “Hope you all sing this song with me, if you know it… And, if you don’t, just sing what the guy next to you is singing” he tells us, before noticing one of the athletes in the crowd’s medal and dedicating the song to him. As his toothy grin shines and his boyish energy oozes from the stage, I am once again filled with the same overbearing awe and excitement I felt upon first seeing Foos back in 2001. A particularly moving rendition of what seems to have become the band’s trademark anthem, ‘Best Of You’s powerful and motivational lyrics clearly strike a nerve as 26,000 people passionately repeat the refrain: “I swear I’ll never give in, I refuse”.

The set ends, prematurely, with everyone’s favourite – ‘Everlong’: an emotion-strewn classic that pays homage perfectly to the admirable spirit of all those servicemen and women for whom it is for. As Grohl issues his heartfelt thanks for making this “One of the most special occasions of our lives”, he is cut short by blasts of white paper exploding from the front of the stage… “The toilet paper’s on us!” and he’s gone, after just 45 minutes.

Mari Lane

@marimindles

(Photo Courtesy of Brian Rasic)