“Time Machine,” indeed.
Rush’s sold-out show at Quicken Loans Arena Friday night coaxed out the loudest inner 16-year-old air-drummers
and -guitarists Cleveland has ever seen. With a jam-packed time-warp set list and stunning visual display, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart really rocked the house.
Energy and volume was equaled on both sides, blow by glorious blow, as filmmakers Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen captured the crowning glory of the band and C-town’s amped fans for an upcoming live DVD release.
Adrenaline-fueled renditions of “Freewill,” “La Villa Strangiato,” and “YYZ” were just perfect, with Lee and Lifeson’s virtuoso playing taking center stage. And newer tracks “Faithless,” “BU2B,” and “Caravan” — replete with ironic “led zeppelins” flying over a building that looked suspiciously like a bombed out Terminal Tower — showed the trio’s future won’t be spent seated on creative laurels.
Moving Pictures in it’s its entirety was expectedly stunning, including the “The Camera Eye” suite.
Does any fan (or critic) really need to address Peart’s drumming or his solos? Pushing 60, the man is still the most proficient and possessed percussionist in the rock business.
Visually and musically arresting, live shows don’t get better than this. And if you were there, you get to live it all over again in 2012 with a DVD souvenir. H.G. Wells would have approved. —Peter Chakerian
This article appears in Apr 13-19, 2011.
Great review! You have a typo, though, Michael: Moving Pictures in it’s entirety was expectedly stunning, including the “The Camera Eye” suite.
it’s should be its
Wow, commenter above me. Let’s get all technical on his ass!!! ( Or is it “lets”?)
Great show, correct review!!
Great show, correct review!!!
The show marked a milestone for me, my tenth. However this one was much more special because I had the privilege of taking my eleven year old daughter with me. As perfect as the show was, nothing compared to the look of astonishment that never once left her face. I tried to explain to her how exciting it would be but even I was blown away by the level of enthusiasm projected by the crowd. In short, it was without a doubt the best Rush concert I have ever seen.
The greatest concert I’ve ever been to. It was my sixth time seeing Rush and while all were solid, this was the best they have ever played. Were they playing for the cameras, of course! But the crowd was in to it from The Spirit of Radio all the way to a scorching Working Man to end it. Every song was great but the newer songs really show these guys have a lot of life in them. BU2B and Caravan leave me wanting more from “Clockwork Angels”. Faithless from Snakes And Arrows was extremely moving, had me a little teary eyed. All of Moving Pictures was amazing.
Excellent review. This was number 18 for me, dating back to 1977 when I was a freshman in high school. I was blown away then and today with 3 of my kids in tow for their 3rd Rush show. I have never seen a bad Rush show and to be very honest, this was the best. Intensity was higher than ever (astonished it can go higher), the guys were on, and the crowd showed why Cleveland is the best place for Rock n Roll. Now to get the gold old days of when we show cased new and up coming talent here. Coffee Break Concerts again anyone?
Review was right on. This was my 18th Rush show dating back to being a freshman in high school in 1977. This was my three kids third show, the guy next to me has brought his son 5 times and it was his 40th. This show was the best of the 18 and none of the previous had anything wrong with them. The guys were extremely tight and into it. It makes me wish for the old days when new bands came to Cleveland to break out. Coffee Break concerts renewed anyone?