Rotterdam Ahoy review
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 11:43 am
From the largest newspaper in the Netherlands, De Telegraaf:
Translated by Ron van de Leygraaf.
Rush: Phenomenally unfashionable
Being successful for thirty years with unbelievable non-commercial symphonic music. The Canadian band Rush accomplished that and the numbers tell the real story. The illustrious threesome has never had much media attention, but with 35 million records sold and a trophy-cabinet full with gold and platinum records, we can easily call Rush the most successful cultband ever.
Last Friday, for the first time in 11 years, the trio visited the Netherlands again and provided a chockfull Ahoy a memorable exercise which lasted well over three hours. The band remains a strange phenomenon, because how is it possible that an antique symphonic rockband still sells out stadiums and arenas after thirty years? Singer/bassist Geddy Lee himself answered this question earlier this week: "Because we managed to be and remain extremely unfashionable all those years." That is absolutely true. The three intellectuals have always succeeded in staying current musically. Each album contains something new which kept millions of fans all over the world alert and refrained them from losing interest. Furthermore, in the rock music business, Rush has a reputation as a live band which really no other band can match. In Rotterdam we saw three superior men in their fifties, working loosely, sometimes almost casual, playing the most ingenious compositions.
Enhanced by a tasteful videopresentation during which their 30-year career was shown in an amusing way, Rush opened with an instrumental medley of old favourites. "The Spirit Of The Radio" set the tone, after which a string of pearls followed. The majestic "Red Barchetta", with a tremendous guitar solo from Alex Lifeson, was a highlight, just like the instrumental tour-de-force YYZ. Of course they played "The Trees" in which the gents hid the Beatles song "Daytripper" nicely. After an amazing cover of The Who's "The Seeker" the fire was literally lit and, after a short break, the band pushed the accelerator a little further down. The animations on the screen became more expressive, the lightshow became more colourful and Rush kept on firing classic after classic at the frantic crowd. "Tom Saywer" and "Red Sector A" formed the vestibule for the still impressive drumsolo from the rarely laughing Neil Peart, who was supported on the screen by a dancing Louis Armstrong. Because Rotterdam was the last stop on a gigantic world tour, the "Grand Finale" became extra emotional and impressive. The roadies offered the band a signed pirates bane and the DUtch fans waved the trio farewell. Forever? Hopefully not, because the music industry cannot do with the phenomenon Rush for the time being.
Jean-Paul Heck
I hope my translation errors are not too disturbing. The 11 years and The Spirit of the Radio mistakes are in the original article, btw.
Translated by Ron van de Leygraaf.
Rush: Phenomenally unfashionable
Being successful for thirty years with unbelievable non-commercial symphonic music. The Canadian band Rush accomplished that and the numbers tell the real story. The illustrious threesome has never had much media attention, but with 35 million records sold and a trophy-cabinet full with gold and platinum records, we can easily call Rush the most successful cultband ever.
Last Friday, for the first time in 11 years, the trio visited the Netherlands again and provided a chockfull Ahoy a memorable exercise which lasted well over three hours. The band remains a strange phenomenon, because how is it possible that an antique symphonic rockband still sells out stadiums and arenas after thirty years? Singer/bassist Geddy Lee himself answered this question earlier this week: "Because we managed to be and remain extremely unfashionable all those years." That is absolutely true. The three intellectuals have always succeeded in staying current musically. Each album contains something new which kept millions of fans all over the world alert and refrained them from losing interest. Furthermore, in the rock music business, Rush has a reputation as a live band which really no other band can match. In Rotterdam we saw three superior men in their fifties, working loosely, sometimes almost casual, playing the most ingenious compositions.
Enhanced by a tasteful videopresentation during which their 30-year career was shown in an amusing way, Rush opened with an instrumental medley of old favourites. "The Spirit Of The Radio" set the tone, after which a string of pearls followed. The majestic "Red Barchetta", with a tremendous guitar solo from Alex Lifeson, was a highlight, just like the instrumental tour-de-force YYZ. Of course they played "The Trees" in which the gents hid the Beatles song "Daytripper" nicely. After an amazing cover of The Who's "The Seeker" the fire was literally lit and, after a short break, the band pushed the accelerator a little further down. The animations on the screen became more expressive, the lightshow became more colourful and Rush kept on firing classic after classic at the frantic crowd. "Tom Saywer" and "Red Sector A" formed the vestibule for the still impressive drumsolo from the rarely laughing Neil Peart, who was supported on the screen by a dancing Louis Armstrong. Because Rotterdam was the last stop on a gigantic world tour, the "Grand Finale" became extra emotional and impressive. The roadies offered the band a signed pirates bane and the DUtch fans waved the trio farewell. Forever? Hopefully not, because the music industry cannot do with the phenomenon Rush for the time being.
Jean-Paul Heck
I hope my translation errors are not too disturbing. The 11 years and The Spirit of the Radio mistakes are in the original article, btw.
