Red Hot Chili Peppers 2023 Tour Featuring King Princess and The Strokes
While I can’t say I know more than seven RHCP songs, I can say I appreciated every moment they gave to their audience.
By Marie Ronnander
I arrived at the US Bank Stadium in broad daylight, surrounded by every age and aesthetic. From my left, my roommate whispered a thought that truly embodied the atmosphere: “I feel like I’m at Disneyland.”
As we pulled into our seats, the first opener, King Princess, was already center stage in a neon Hawaiian shirt. Her voice is low and smooth, but the lights are bright, and people are milling around chatting about merch. There was a strange sense of agoraphobia creeping in on me; songs so deep-seated needed to hug their audiences.
An hour later, The Strokes took the stage. This band’s songs have lived in my heart for years, collecting nostalgia. Their performance, while played perfectly, emptied my sense of admiration. Julian Casablancas’ asides were pithed and devoid of attachment for the people around him. While I still cherish the memories written with the lyrics, I can’t forget the vanity emanating from the stage.
When the Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist, Flea, pulls up to the concert in a purple kilt and Vikings-colored socks, the venue becomes a home. Between songs, he giggled about target nose shavers and chirped authentic thank yous to fans. They paused for intimate improvisations that flowed smoothly to their setlist. There was history written into the lined faces of the band members. They were playing their music to tell a story.
While I can’t say I came to the concert knowing more than seven RHCP songs, I can say I appreciated every moment they gave to their audience.