History in the Making

 

FOO DEBUT:  On the evening of October 19, we were a part of a little bit of history being made. Through a stroke of good luck and good timing, we rather miraculously were able to score tickets to the first concert-or event, for that matter-ever held at the new Climate Pledge Arena (formerly Key Arena). (I found out about the show via a radio station's Instagram post while in a crappy airport restaurant a few weeks back. The show was a benefit event, with limited access. You couldn't even find it listed on Ticketmaster's main site. However, we found a 'back door' and got in. Hooray!)

On the west edge of Seattle Center Grounds, Climate Pledge Arena was recently built with a 3. billion dollar budget (which I can't quite wrap my head around). I have heard a couple of people say one of the things that made it so expensive was that contractors had to elevate or suspend the entire roof of the old Key Arena, as it was dubbed a historic landmark (dating back to the 1962 World's Fair). In the photo above, you can barely see the roof structure beyond International Fountain.

By the way, you can't be at Seattle Center without an obligatory Space Needle shot.

Since it was the first event ever at the new arena, there was some chaos, as you might expect. Customer service people working the ingress lines didn't really know the rules themselves (such as bag size, vaccine card checking, and more). We ended up going to four different lines before finding one that seemed to have their act together.

Once inside the area, we set about finding our seats. That was no easy task because section signage is subtle to the point of being nonexistent. And there were exactly ZERO ushers, at least where we were, so you were totally on your own. That was unexpected.

We were surprised that the show apparently started at 7, which was the time on the tickets, but usually shows don't start on time, and often that time on the ticket is when doors open. There was nothing  on our tickets or online about when doors actually opened, by the way.)

Anyway, the opening act, Death Cab for Cutie, was already playing when we arrived. That didn't exactly crush us as we're not huge fans, truth be told. Anyway, Death Cab played a full, concert-long set. Then there was a little break before the Foo Fighters came out to play.

Our seats were pretty good, in the lower bowl and pretty near the stage. The seats themselves were comfortable, and bigger than the tiny ones that plagued old Key Arena.

We've seen the Foo before, and they NEVER disappoint. This time was no exception.

A two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, front man Dave Grohl was in fine form. He has a little history in Seattle, having been the drummer in that little band called Nirvana back when grunge music ruled the world. 

Once in awhile, Dave still gets behind the kit. Below was Dave's drum solo during a cover of the Queen hit "Somebody to Love."

Mostly, though, now Dave's the front man and the amazing Taylor Hawkins plays drums for the Foo.

We were happy when the Foo Fighters changed gears and played a mini set as the DeeGees (a riff on the BeeGees' name and Dave Grohls initials). 

Recording some disco tracks was part of how the Foo Fighters have spent the pandemic. 

It was a great evening and I'm so happy we were able to be a part of it. 

You can read The Seattle Times' review of the show here: https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/photos-foo-fighters-death-cab-christen-climate-pledge-arena-with-first-concert/