Gig Review

Rush
Birmingham, LG Arena
22nd May 2011


Rush          
   
Photo Of Rush © Copyright Robert LawrenceOK, so it's Rush, tonight, legends in the own right and as such to charge what they like for tickets and merch, classic rock is what this is and it certainly sounds dated to a degree but live it always feels a bit more present than on any CD, this is an all seated affair even though pretty much everyone is standing. OK they open with a track that I'm supposed to know but I don't, it's called, spirit of the radio, fairly upbeat but honestly it has a few decent moments but it pretty much passes me by, as does the following time stand still and presto, everyone around me is loving it but infant see the appeal, I love classic rock but this is just not reaching me. I know of the band and instantly recognise them from VH1 and the odd rock mag, but it's never got me interested in their music, and Incan see why, it's too pedestrian, the one thing I'm really digging is the vocals and the odd guitar solo, the singer distinct look and voice, high pitched, there all fantastic musicians to say the least, but the song writing leaves a lot to be desired but they certainly still got the fans who are loving this.

Photo Of Rush © Copyright Robert LawrenceI miss a few songs as I get escorted out of the arena then I have to find my way back in to my seat or standing area as no one is sitting down, I catch the rest of faithless the vocalist makes a crack about playing a new song that will come out at some point, it’s called bu2b, not bad still got that classic sound, and it's fairly defer as are the songs that follow it, free will and marathon all decent songs that pick the set up off its arse and has some really decent moments in them, the light show is pretty decent and for the most part there a video running behind the band, inter cut With the live action at the time, the animated video gets abut magical mystery tour at times, but on the most part entertaining, sub divisions closes the frost set of the night with some class.

Photo Of Rush © Copyright Robert LawrenceThey open with another video pretty funny this, about the band making a video of their younger selves, the band playing different charters, then they play the actual song and in all honesty it's pretty good, it's catchy sounds great and along With the video playing behind its fun. This is also the start of them playing Moving pictures in its entirety, it's a fun and first time listen for me as the y play though songs such as YYZ instrumental track, which is one I know as I played it on guitar hero, pretty catchy as it is memorable, lime light, the camera eye witch hunt and vital signs other than Tom Sawyer, that is probably my favourite track as the electronics in it is pretty cool. They continue their set with the likes of caravan, love 4 sale drum solo, it's just not Moby dick, closer to the heart, I'm not much of a fan of the instrumental 2112 overture but it does get better With the The Temples of Syrinx second part of 2112 which has vocals. Far cry finishes the second set strongly.

After a short break they come back on and play another instrumental La Villa Strangiato, one I'm unfamiliar with, it's on for too long in my opinion, but great for the fans as this is what there hear to see and listen to, they close out there set with working man, finally finishing the set strongly as they did With the second set.

Overall, is this performance enough to make me a fan, honestly no, fun to watch yes, the videos they got are properly funny, and a joy to watch but some of the songs really don't grab me and do drag in a lot of places, the pacing of the set however is fantastic but there is too many instrumentals for my liking, but there for the fans and not media upstart types like me, so who cares what I got to say.

4/5

Review By Robert Lawrence

 Rush


Geddy Lee
Alex Lifeson
Neil Peart

 Band Related Links
Rush MySpace
 Review Score Code
- Top Cheese
- Brilliant
- Pretty damn good
- Ok I guess
- What Was That?