The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ unique brand of funk rock has accompanied many childhoods (mine included), and it’s inconceivable to imagine a world without them. With a list of hits longer than the M1, it was a no brainer to part ways with £70 to see the rock giants live.

Falling on the wrong side of thirty, the crowd was frankly boring; I was seen as annoying for dancing to music that is inherently brimming with energy. The only response was moving their phones from pocket to sky to record a video they’ll probably never look at again. However, it must be said that the stage presence from the band was underwhelming: frontman Anthony did little to interact with the punters.

Nevertheless, the Chili Peppers delivered a set brimming with vigour whilst lacking in hits. A jam preceded the first song ‘Around the World’ which then plummeted into ‘Snow (Hey Oh)’ and ‘Otherside’; an absolute monster of an opening to the gig. Six songs of varying calibre followed, but none were hits. It was like getting socks at Christmas hearing the new album songs live, they were a lovely sentiment but didn’t impress. ‘Give It Away’ came all too fast and before I knew it I was complaining that ‘Can’t Stop’ wasn’t played. Some memorable moments came in the form of Anthony mucking up ‘By the Way’ and ‘Soul to Squeeze’.

Ultimately, the Chilli Peppers have lost their sting: they now seem more of a heritage band and, quite frankly, seem tired. It hadn’t been since Stadium Arcadium that their new music has been tantalising. Leaving out ‘Can’t Stop’, ‘Under the Bridge’ and ‘Dani California’ in place of ‘Dark Necessities’, ‘Sick Love’ and ‘Detroit’ was unforgivable. The rockers need to suck up their pride and smash out hits if they want to keep playing arenas or the band’s bassist Flea might end up hand standing to O2 academies throughout the country.

Ben Roberts

(Image: Rolling Stone)