Living In The Limelight: Rush Live At The Hollywood Bowl
July 23, 2007 - Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA
Rush are an anomaly. The band scored massive radio hits in the 1980s and ’90s and sells out arenas and amphitheaters all over the world, but Rush completely fly under the radar of pop culture. So when the band took the stage Monday night at the Hollywood Bowl, it had an ironic feel because these guys are the most un-Hollywood band in music history. There were no guys wearing expensive shades or Diesel jeans and hardly any single girls. In fact, there were more guys who looked like Gandolf than the usual metrosexual Hollywood fare. It was an interesting crowd — a different breed.
I do have one question for the band though before I get to the show review. What was going on with the rotisserie chickens?
I’ve seen Rush six times and they have never disappointed me; in fact they seem to get better every time. Not bad for three dudes in their early 50s. Every tour the band pulls a few gems out from the archives to please their rabid fans, and this show was no different. The trio comprising singer/bassist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson and drummer extraordinaire Neil Peart (a mix of Thor and Peter Pan on the drums) dusted off tunes like “Digital Man,” “Entre Nous,” “Mission” and the very powerful “Circumstances” off 1978’s Hemispheres — songs the band has not played in nearly 20 years.
The Canadian prog-rockers also played their bevy of hits, including “Limelight,” “Freewill,” “Dreamline” (complete with amazing green laser light show), “The Spirit of Radio” and second set closer “Tom Sawyer,” while pleasing hard-core fans with songs like “Subdivisions,” “Between the Wheels,” “Witch Hunt” and the nine-minute epic “Natural Science.”
When Lee took the stage he thanked the crowd for coming out to help Rush “celebrate their 4000th album.” It’s actually their 18th, and they played nine songs off the disc. (If you’re counting, they played 28 songs.) I think the new album is their best in years, and the songs sounded great live. “Far Cry,” “Armor and Sword,” “Spindrift,” “Workin’ Them Angels,” the instrumentals “The Main Monkey Business,” “Malignant Narcissism” and the beautiful acoustic ditty “Hope” were all well received.
A highlight of every Rush show is the jaw-dropping drum solo from Peart, who solidifies himself as the greatest drummer in rock every time he graces the stage. In a time when drum solos may be frowned upon, Peart is the only one who can make it worthwhile and cool. He has a tasteful yet powerful technique, a unique use of loops, and he even took it old-school with a 1920s big-band-style ending.
Rush rocked the Bowl for nearly three hours Monday, and when they stepped onstage for their encore, they had another gift for the fans. After they played “One Little Victory,” off 2002’s Vapor Trails, the band launched into “A Passage to Bangkok,” off 1976’s 2112, which drew thunderous cheers from the fans. The band ended with the instrumental “YYZ,” off their classic 1981 disc, Moving Pictures.
A friend of mine, who saw Rush a few weeks ago in Camden, New Jersey, texted me from the show. His simple message read, “Rush is God.” Last night I texted him and wrote the same message back and he responded, “I know.” Rush fans may be a bit different, into “thinking man’s music,” with lots of tempo and time changes. Some call it “math music,” I call it great music.
At the show I saw a guy wearing a great T-shirt. It read: “Who died and made you Geddy Lee?” Yeah, Rush fans are a different breed.
July 26th, 2007 at 9:19 am
Great review! It is refreshing to see good reviews on a band that has been shunned many albums (yeah I said albums…I’m old) and tours in the past. Now if only the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame would take notice and induct them in. Not absolutely necessary (The guys could probably care less) but they deserve to be recognized for their amazing talent, musicmanship and just down right immeasruable contributions to the landscape of the American music frontier! Take a real good listen to Snakes and Arrows. It really captures the current times of the world we all live in!
Brought to you by the letters YYZ!
July 26th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Thanks for an excellent review! Very refreshing indeed.
And the Meek shall inherit the Earth
July 26th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
great review. i also saw the camden nj show, it was the best show ive seen, and ive been going since 1980. you are absolutely right on about the four gems you mention, made the show (for me). circumstances always been my favorite, mission, digital man were incredible, and entre nous was very surprising to hear, and very cool. bangkok great encore selection. the light show was stupendus, i agree about dreamline, got some very nice cell phone photos, overall tremendous experience. and the new album just kills. i already have my ticket (great seat) for 9/17 msg show. cant wait.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Great review, and nice to see something so deservedly positive coming from MTV! Now if we could just get Rolling Stone on board…
I saw the band in Portland and posted a review at http://isorski.blogspot.com/2007/07/concert-review-rush.html. Enjoy!
July 26th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
I was at this show in close proximity to the stage and about midway through “Mission” or perhaps “Main Monkey Business” I looked behind me and was simply amazed at how many people were there - close to a full house with stragglers clinging to the lawn terrace seats way way way up…
Someone passed me with a Def Leppard t-shirt, of all things. Certainly, not a “thinking-man’s” band or critical darling either - but the irony struck me nonetheless. I believe the Leps are tourning with a band called Journey that doesn’t even have its original lead singer, and both are having issues with attendance at your local county fairs… Irony indeed.
Meanwhile, Rush, with half as many albums sold has a new album that debuted at… NUMBER 3!… on the Billboard Charts and is still one of the top Internet Sales CD’s in the country. Radio stations are playing “Far Cry” next to Korn and Tool - both Rush disciples. Rush concert ticket sales - 3 years following a wildly successful 30 Anniversary tour - are up 40%! Rolling Stone simply can’t bear it…
For lack of a more crystal clear yet colorful comparison… Rush are the “Ferris Bueller” of rock music at this day and age… they do what they want, when they want, how they want and don’t apologize for a thing. And, based upon the mish mash of metro’s, yuppies, rockers, dads, moms, tweens, teens, dweebs, geeks, preps, surfers, frat boys, jocks etc etc at Hollywood Bowl - they all thing Rush is righteous just the same…
July 27th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
i travelled 13000 miles round trip from the u.k for the hollywood show with my best mate mark.not only was it the most stonking rush show i have ever seen,but meeting the american rush fans made it a day to remember for a long time ,cheers lads.
July 28th, 2007 at 3:13 am
As Lerxst says please listen to the new album (yes I’am old too… have not missed a show in 25 years) I think it is there best work in years and please let the people in ohio know that these guys could care less but the fans WANT them in the rock and roll hof peace
July 28th, 2007 at 10:19 am
Nice write up. It echoes my sentiments.
These guys are so &*%$ing talented! The best part is they’re cool, down to earth, have a great sense of humour and don’t take themselves too seriously (although they could and I’d still love them).
Rush fans are, as a whole, pretty cool too.
Cheers!
July 28th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
As an avid fan as I am, I do have to say how underwhelmed I was at last nights show in Phoenix. All the new tunes sounded good, but, all the older material sucked from an audio perspective. Whomever was the sound board operator, obviously has taken his or her position working for RUSH as a job! From the sound that was being head, it clearly articulated to the audience that the mixer has no idea the nuances of highs and lows especially involving Rush tunes. The overpowering, drowning out, poor vocal mixes was frustrrating all night long. Who do I need to talk to to contribute in the most positive fashion so that no more fans are dissappointed on this tour? In closing, it almost feels as though PROTOOLS did the audio work and not a human.
Die hard fan for more than 27 years! And will continue to be, until I die.
July 28th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Great review. I was also at the Hollywood Bowl show. I flew out from Toronto to see them with old friends. I’ve seen about as many shows as you have and your sentaments echo mine. Never a disappointment.
Such a great venue to see them at. I love their visuals. Especially loved the angels with rifles during Workin’ Them Angels. As to the rotisserie chickens, well that’s just another cool Rush stage visual. If you were at one of the shows for the R30 tour (and I hope you didn’t miss that) they had washing machines behind Geddy.
Looking forward to the Toronto show in October, because “I know”.
July 30th, 2007 at 1:59 am
I just saw the show at the MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA JULY 28 2007 and I was BLOWN AWAY! They just keep getting better and better as the years go by! I had goose bumps for a better part of the show and I hope they put this on DVD because it’s that good!
If there’s a lesson to be learned it would be, anything worth doing is worth doing well!
August 1st, 2007 at 12:09 am
Caught the Rush show in Seattle on July 20 and I have to say the boys sounded better than ever and I think they knew it. They really seemed to have a great time. I was amazed how great Geddy’s voice sounded that night. No easy feat. Been a fan since I was about 13 (25 years). Thanks, Brian Sylvester for introducing me to Exit Stage Left. As a drummer, it shaped my world and blew my mind. This was my first Rush show since HYF. Wow. What took me so long?
Neil, you’re my idol.
Cheers,guys. Rock on.
August 1st, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Hmm, I was looking over my pile of ticket stubs of shows gone past and, it’s no surprise that RUSH has captured the lion’s share of my entertainment funds - and I don’t regret a single penny either! Since AFTK tour, I’ve been impressed and inspired not only to be a better player, but also a better person. They are truly unique in this world of (what I consider) largely talentless bands being passed off as artists now being pounded ad nauseum on the air. RUSH has always stretched out the limits of art with their willingness to explore new territory. I guess what I’m saying is ‘I love that band!’ and hope they continue to do what they do for a long time!
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:14 am
Living in Australia & having been a fan for 30+ years I finally saw Rush live. Twice, Hollywood Bowl & Irvine. No one can rain on my parade, the guys are as good as I wanted them to be. I was blown away by the age range in the audience, my own daughter saying they’re the best she’s ever heard. She was the catalyst for seeing the band. when I remarked last year that I’d love to see Rush, she said “why dont you”. So my message is that no matter where you are in the world, this band is worth the effort so DO IT. Go & see them. I know I’ll be back again for the next tour !!!
August 17th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Great review. I saw them on June 20th in Raleigh (home) and will again in a few days in KC which will make 9 shows total since I first saw them on the Presto tour. These last three outings have made it a great reason to visit friends while catching a 2nd show on each of the tours. Cleveland for VT, Hartford for R30 and now KC for this tour. Well worth the money every damn time!
As for the rotisserie chicken ovens, I cannot attest to whose idea the actual appliances are but from an interview with them Geddy explained it. His sound is direct fed so he doesn’t use a “stack” like Alex (or other band’s guitarists and bassists might) So to provde a better symmetry instead of this gaping nothingness on the right side of the drum kit, they’ve gone to filling the space with oddities. They’ve had vending machines (sandwich turntable style), dryers, etc. in the past. The dryers on the one tour were filled with special concert shirts that Alex and Geddy tossed out to the audience at the end of the show.
September 18th, 2007 at 7:34 am
I saw the “worlds greatest band” last night at Madison Square Garden, NYC, sept 17th.I am still recovering from the show!The band was extremely tight; probably the best show in years.I have seen them since 1979 so i’ve had my fair share of rush concerts and you know they never seem to dissapoint me.Rock on and love to all!
Brian