Tom Morello did exceed my expectations!
He was a blast of energy, rock, political messages and family.
Soldier in the Army of Love kicked off the concert. What immediately impressed all of us in front of the stage was a very young guitarist, that got a lot of time on the big screens at the side of the stage. His resemblance with a (much) younger Tom didn’t leave room for any doubts and confirmed what it had been happening for a while now: Roman and Tom, father and son together on stage. Like LeBron and Bronny James, at Lakers (apology to the non basketball readers, but I couldn’t help with the analogy). Genes definitely were well transmitted. Family moment #1.
A huge crowd was in the open area and on the hill in front of the stage: compared to the previous concert, this crowd’s age group was definitely more Generation X than Y and Z.
“I’ve waited a long time to play this song for you”, and then Adjourn It kicks in.
But he really got the crowd to the next level when he asked three questions:
“Is there anyone here who loves Rock’n’Roll?” – big response
“Is there anyone here who hates fascism?” – even bigger response
“Is there anyone here who loves Rock’n’Roll hates fascism?” – big roar!
And with that, he asked everyone to go down on knees, and then up to create a big earthquake.
Did you know that he almost had to cancel this concert? Next song was for his mom, 102 year old, who luckily for her, for him and for us, recovered from health issues. Family moment #2.
Everything Burns was played with an essential setup: a black screen with four white words: Torches, Pitchforks, Molotovs, & Bricks”. The energy level rose again, if even possible.
The song that made him fall in love with music got then its place on stage: Ozzy‘s Mr. Crowley.
The words printed on his guitars were all In line with his political beliefs: “Arm the homeless” was in front of us for most of the concert, but it is when he reverse-played the guitar that the other message made the crowd roar again: on the back of it four words in Danish claiming “Hands off from Greenland”.
The concert ended, leaving all of us with the feeling to be part of something big.
And of course, what a better ending than leaving the stage with Bella Ciao playing in the background?
Luca Bruschi
