Words by Chelsea Hermann | Photos by Joe Papeo

On Saturday February 1st, the Red Hot Chili Peppers took the stage at The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York as part of CBS Radio’s Welcome to Brooklyn Super Bowl performances. Tickets were selling for over $400, which many were still willing to pay.

The audience was filled with everyone from hardcore RHCP fans to football fanatics. Regardless of who attended the concert, one thing each individual had in common that night, was everyone completely rocked out.

The opening bill featured Basic Vacation, J. Roddy Walston & the Business, followed by MS MR. capped with New Politics who had a high-energy performance filled with break dancing and crowd surfing. It was quite obvious that each of these bands were ecstatic to be opening for such rock legends; but how could they not be? The Red Hot Chili Peppers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in 2012, it had to be an honor for each of these bands after a legendary career hailing from Los Angeles, CA.

Then finally it was time; Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith and newest member Josh Klinghoffer took the stage, starting with an intro jam leading in to “Can’t Stop”. The entire house was on their feet within seconds. Throughout the night they played classics, such as “Dani California”, “Californication”, “Under the Bridge” and “By the Way.”

They also snuck in a few of their newer songs like “Factory of Faith” and “Ethiopia” from the 2011 release of I’m With You album. Song after song, the crowd failed to die down even once. With a band that has had so many hits, it’s nearly impossible to disappoint. Towards the middle of the set Flea took a moment to announce the band would be going into what he called a “hibernation” to record their next album. They declared this “Hello to Brooklyn” event as their “one last blowout” before taking some time off.

Before you knew it the foursome was leaving the stage, only to return minutes later to a roaring and screaming crowd demanding an encore. The Chili Peppers satisfied the crowd with three more songs “Around the World”, “Soul to Squeeze” and “Give It Away”. The final song ended in balloons pouring all over those on the ground level. Cleverly, those balloons were orange and blue for the Denver Broncos and green and blue for the Seattle Seahawks; a little head start to their half time performance the following day.

Overall, The Red Hot Chili Peppers performance was on point and proved no matter how long they’ve been around, they’re not going anywhere. As of now, their next scheduled show is February 22nd and 23rd in the Philippines. From there they go on a tour of South America. There was no better way for them to finish up their performances in The States, other than one last hurrah in the one and only, New York City!

Set List:

1. Intro Jam
2. Can’t Stop
3. Dani California
4. Otherside
5. Factory of Faith
6. Snow ((Hey Oh))
7. I Like Dirt
8. The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie
9. Higher Ground (Stevie Wonder cover)
10. Under the Bridge
11. Ethiopia
12. Californication
13. By the Way

Encore Jam
15. Around the World
16. Soul to Squeeze
17. Give It Away



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