Linkin Park, Cypress Hill, Adema in Memphis - 2/16/02
When going to a show, I like to immerse myself in the music, not pot and stupidity. Both which were present at the Linkin Park, Cypress Hill, and Adema concert. I do not usually attend large shows for the huge amounts of people who do not know what real music is, including one of the bands (Cypress Hill). When my group and I arrived at the show we were shocked to find out that this general admission show had only a few pit passes to go around. However, we edged our way as close as possible. Then we noticed that people were paying off the security offers to join the pit. But now I will address each band�s performance individually. The half of the Adema set that I did see was energetic and lively. The *large guitarist was great. He played to the crowd and was constantly moving. The *singer had the same vibes while he worked the crowd from side to side. However, the rest of Adema looked like bunch of lifeless beings standing in place, barely moving. Overall Adema gave a good show. I would recommend this to everyone who wants to hear new music. However, their �we rule the world� attitude was a little annoying. I just could not understand how a band that has barely cracked the top 40 could have such a shabby point of view. I guess the little brothers of Korn have a lot to learn. Now for the comical side of the concert, Cypress Hill. I was really looking forward to this set. I will admit that I listened to the �Stoned Raiders� when I was in junior high. I thought that their set would be good for kicks and giggles. Boy was I wrong. Cypress Hill was the worst band I have ever seen in my whole life. From their 4-ft bong during �I Want to Get High� and �Hits from the Bong� to their non-existent live show, Cypress Hill should have stayed at the crib. The only highlight to their show was when the never-ending set was over. Finally, after waiting forever, the reason I drove 150 miles, Linkin Park, took the stage. First off, let me start by saying that Linkin Park has an amazingly produced CD. Linkin Park is one of those bands that makes great music and can back it up with their live performance. Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda, the tag team vocalist, had high energy the whole show. Running from side to side the whole time and jumping into the audience, Linkin Park keeps the crowd going the while time. During the song �In the End,� Chester and Mike found their way into the audience and gave away their beanie and hat, respectively. The highlight of the whole evening was when Linkin Park did a Deftones cover of �Shove It� that would have made Chino and the boys proud. However, it appeared that without Mr. Hahn, their DJ, Linkin Park would be lost. Guitarist Brad Delson is good but it was evident that his position is low maintenance in this band. The bass player, who does not appear on the current number 5 album Hybrid Theory, looked confused the whole concert. But my overall opinion of the show was bad. Linkin Park was the only good part of the whole evening. I was reminded why I hate mainstream music and why I do not attend large shows.
-AW
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