Concert Review and Slideshow: Foo Fighters and Supergrass at Kemper Arena

By CALEB GOELLNER

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Going nearly unused for rock shows of late, Kemper Arena has more or less become the awkward middle ground between the artsy Uptown and the soulless Sprint Center. However, on Saturday night the former hockey rink seemed like a fine fit for The Foo Fighters show, where the three-band bill kicked so much ass it almost made me forget about Foo’s whole AIDS denying thing in 2000.

Opening act Year Long Disaster sounds like a throwback band, but in the most enjoyable way. The band operates like a much more straightforward Led Zeppelin might have if Robert Plant had played all of Jimmy Page’s guitar parts. Obstinate classic rock fans can hate this comparison all they like, because judging by YLD’s hysteria-inducing guitar solos, bouncy bass lines and snare-smashing drum fills, in this case, three dudes will do just fine. After just two songs I found myself thinking, “You know…it really has been a long time since I rock and rolled, thanks dudes!” Though YLD played for a fraction of Kemper’s capacity, their efforts seemed to win over the punctual. As the opening band, they suffered a bit from a non-light show and a bass-heavy mix coupled with thin drum tones. Without splitting hairs though, everything was audible enough to indicate that the band ruled. The next time this band comes through, its brand of rock will explode on a smaller stage with more attention given to production. Count on it.

More after the jump.