The reunited Limp Bizkit played a free concert at the small Blender Theater last night, filling an explosive hour-long setlist with nothing but hits for an ecstatic crowd.
Limp Bizkit was one of the most visible bands atop the rap-metal movement towards the end of the ‘90s, but with the departure of guitarist Wes Borland in 2001, alongside the rapid decline in the popularity of the rap-metal genre, the band virtually disappeared from public view. But last summer Borland rejoined the band for a series of well-received shows at European festivals, and after announcing a summer tour with Snoop Dogg yesterday, the reformed band played to a packed house at the Blender (formerly Gramercy) Theater last night.
The free concert, which saw almost no promotion from the band or venue, was available on a first-come first-serve basis to fans, starting at noon. By 9pm last night, the 600 person-capacity venue was crammed with red Yankee cap-sporting fans, eagerly awaiting the return of the typically controversial Limp Bizkit.
Finally, the lights dimmed and the band, made up of guitarist Borland, bassist Sam Rivers, drummer John Otto, spinner DJ Lethal, and of course, the notoriously abrasive Fred Durst, strutted onto the stage to wild cheering. The band ripped right into Hot Dog, the F-bomb-filled opening track to Chocolate Starfish and the Hotdog Flavored Water, and a mosh pit instantly exploded into existence, the entire floor of the theater shaking as hundreds of fans jumped about and into each other, shouting out every single word along with Durst.
The energy inside the venue was nothing short of monstrous, with the crowd thrashing about and moshing almost out of control during the heavy choruses on songs like Livin’ It Up and My Way. Fred jumped atop the barriers during Eat You Alive, screaming right in the face of fans who battled to slap hands with him, as waves of crowdsurfers came crashing towards the tense-looking security guards holding Fred aloft.
The night’s setlist consisted mostly of material from Chocolate Starfish and the band’s second record, Significant Other, with one of the show’s highlights coming during the violently epic Break Stuff. Rapper Method Man also made a surprise appearance to perform his portions of N 2 Gether Now, to the delight of fans and seemingly, Fred himself. Watch my front row videos of Break Stuff and N 2 Gether Now below, or click on the videos to watch in HD on Youtube.
Despite their lengthy time away, the band seemed as tight as ever. Wes Borland, often grudgingly admired by the band’s detractors as Limp Bizkit’s sole saving grace, wore an outlandish combination of body paint and armor, looking almost like a murderous Lady Gaga, and crunched through hard-hitting riffs and DJ-like guitar effects effortlessly. Fred, decked out in a Yankees jersey in addition to his signature red baseball cap, still had the fire and rage in his voice that drove a generation of white teenagers curse out their parents while sagging their pants and misspelling everyday nouns. The rest of the band regularly maintained a low-key, bassy beat going while Fred addressed the crowd between songs, thanking them for coming out and giving a shout out to old friends in the crowd.
While bands performing free concerts are typically free to play as much or as little as they want, Limp Bizkit played a full set last night over the hour-long show last night, going through virtually every hit fans wanted to hear. The crowd sang along to every word of Rollin’, Nookie, and the Mission: Impossible-themed Take a Look Around. Borland teased the crowd with snippets of the themes to Ghostbusters and Beverly Hills Cop before the band finally wrapped up with their original breakout hit, their viciously aggressive cover of George Michael’s Faith, punctuated by an explosion of plastic confetti that filled the air and frustratingly stuck to the disgustingly sweaty audience.
Over the past decade, Limp Bizkit has become an easy target, the butt of jokes and the biggest act blamed for all that traditional metal fans saw wrong with the rap-metal scene. But the band’s haters seem oblivious to the raw power that Limp Bizkit blasts in all directions. However one feels about rap music, the rage that explodes out of Durst and Borland is unmistakably metal through and through, from riff to rap. While Durst’s lyrics are undeniably cheesy, especially if you’re over 15 years old, the joyous anarchy that howls through the music calls out to the angry teenager that probably still lurks in the memories and heart of even the most jaded metalheads.
With Wes back in the band, Limp Bizkit seems determined to regain their former stand at the top of the rock scene. The just-announced a concert at the PNC Art Center announced for Saturday, July 3rd (following a Lynyrd Skynyrd show there the previous night), will give old school Bizkit fans another opportunity to hear the songs that have aged surprisingly well, and keep on rollin’, baby.
The New York Hard Rock Examiner is now on Twitter! Add me at http://twitter.com/NYROCKEXAMINER for live updates on ticket and on-sale information and passwords, as well as other breaking New York rock and heavy metal updates.
Comments
good review, the show was dope
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!