Pete Yorn Pete Yorn finishes warming up the
crowd after Remy Zero. Click Here to See the
Concert Collage! By Mary Williams Daily Bruin
Senior Staff
Every good concert has its high points ““ those moments
that remain as mental video loops in the viewer’s brain long
after the last act leaves the stage.
Sunday night of KROQ’s two-day Almost Acoustic Christmas
concert at Universal Amphitheatre boasted a lineup that provided
plenty of these moments, although the six-hour show had its share
of low points as well.
Coldplay’s performance, which was pushed up from the
seventh of 10 slots to the fourth in part of a shuffle caused by No
Doubt’s last-minute inclusion at the show, was one of these
standout sets. Flooded in yellow light, the audience sang along
with the British band’s hit “Yellow,” as lead
singer Chris Martin hopped around on one foot, and then on two,
playing his acoustic guitar. The whole audience was standing, with
bobbing heads illuminated by the glowing light.
Fast forward to the Foo Fighters’ set-closing rendition of
“Everlong,” which frontman Dave Grohl played alone on
an acoustic guitar (one of only a few nods to the
“Acoustic” part of the concert title). From the sound
of it, everyone in the amphitheater knew the lyrics to the song,
which over the past few years has been popular on KROQ in both its
plugged-in and unplugged versions. As Grohl sang quietly, almost
whispering some words, the soft sound of thousands of voices filled
the venue and revealed the crowd in one of its most united moments
of the evening.
A few bands later, Staind performed an all-acoustic set, which
was under-appreciated by much of the audience. Singing songs that
were melancholy and quiet, frontman Aaron Lewis mellowed the mood
in the amphitheater while still maintaining a passionate vocal
style. The band created another sing-along moment with
“Outside,” during which much of the crowd again added
their voices to those of the men onstage.
While Staind’s own songs were done justice by the set, the
highlight was a cover of Tool’s “Sober,” also
played acoustic. “Outside” was beautiful but expected,
while “Sober” was just damn cool.
In between these high points, though, were the low ones.
Nickelback proved to be obnoxious, particularly its abrasive lead
singer Chad Kroeger, whose idea of a good time seems to be
purposelessly screaming at the audience in a voice even more raw
than the one he uses as he sings.
No Doubt’s surprise set, replacing drop-outs Travis, would
have been better had singer Gwen Stefani not turned into a pop star
since the band’s amazing performance at last year’s
Almost Acoustic Christmas. Her independent success (working with
artists like Eve and Moby) has changed her persona, to the extent
that she seemed more like Pink than the Gwen that KROQ fans know
and love.
The group played only two songs from its new album, “Rock
Steady,” burying its latest synth-pop dance monstrosity
“Hey Baby” in the middle of the set and premiering
“Hella Good” near its end. Stefani, while an energetic
frontwoman, surprisingly lost her connection with the crowd at some
points, especially during the new material.
The other bands, openers Remy Zero, their tour mate Pete Yorn,
and heavyweights 311, Bush and Linkin Park, who closed the show,
each had their share of successes.
Remy Zero and Pete Yorn were simply out of their league in this
venue, which was too big and impersonal for their music.
311, Bush and Linkin Park, as expected, connected with the
audience and served their purpose well, although there were few
surprises during their sets.
Ultimately, though, only the best and worst will sustain on
those video loops in the viewer’s memory, much like each
year’s Christmas presents. In this case, Nickelback took the
role of the offensively ugly tie no one wants, and Coldplay and Foo
Fighters were the dream gifts everyone asks for.