Red Hot Chili Peppers, Old Trafford Cricket Ground. 22nd June 2022

I’ve noticed my reviews have shifted from newer bands in small clubs to bands like tonight’s. As we roll into the summer months it seems the big boys are coming out to play. The Manchester sun is scorching to meet LA funk rock sock enthusiasts Red Hot Chili Peppers and the crowd inside Old Trafford Cricket Ground seem well up for it. I’m firmly in the ‘I like the old stuff’ camp, but there’s some good songs on the new album. RHCP are a decisive band though aren’t they. The sound is funky as fuck, but ridiculously playful too, almost cartoonish. As are they, dressed in high socks (told you they like socks) and long shorts or a fetching skirt for Flea. To be fair though, if I looked that good knocking on 60, I wouldn’t bother with a shirt either. It’s a weird start, with an intro that doesn’t really sound like them, followed by ‘Around the World’ with the silly nonsensical lyrics. ‘Dani California’ sounds ace though and gets an already pissed crowd bouncing. There’s a bit of banter about getting some “bangers and mash” from the food court after the gig, then it’s into ‘Universally Speaking’. I’ll be honest, I’m struggling to name most of the songs, my knowledge of their catalogue is a bit out of date, but it all sounds great. Flea is as mad as a box of frogs. I could watch him on his own happily for hours. He’s a live-wire vibrating round the stage, like he’s been plugged in. They’re all pretty great to be fair though. Kliedis is in fine voice, even if I can’t pick up half the lyrics at the pace he delivers. Frusciante is the most low key, but plays beautifully and Chad is the monster at the back of the stage pummelling the drums, he’s even got a gong! Which as far as I can tell is just for show. The sound is decent too. As the sun drops, a wind picks up through the ground, but the PA still packs a real kick. Some of it is a bit duff. ‘Here Ever After’ feels a bit flat and basic, although it does finish with a nice guitar solo. It’s made to sound worse by being followed by the absolute animal ‘Suck My Kiss’. Kliedis now stripped to the waist in a pair of shorts with a lightening bolt across his Johnson. ‘Snow (Hey Oh)’ has everyone singing, riding the high from ‘Suck My Kiss’. The atmosphere steadily building and ‘Black Summer’ one of the best off the new album slips easily into the set. A big animated burnt sun projected on the huge screens as the real one disappears behind the stage. There’s a bit of guitar on guitar improv, before they slide into ‘Californication’. It’s the perfect song for dusk, slow and sexy with a massive chorus. ‘Give It Away’ sounds monumental and is worth the bonkers ticket price alone, with it predictably getting one of the biggest cheers of the night. There’s a lot of good songs, in a decent set, but it’s clear that the Blood Sugar era songs are them at the height of their powers. Flea steals the show taking to the stage for the encore, walking across it on his hands, with his skirt round his ears flashing his pants. Picking up his bass and easing us into ‘I Could Have Lied’, on which Kliedis really does sound fantastic. Those who’ve smuggled in flares, let loose for ‘By The Way’, as tens of thousands of phones hit record and the remanence of drinks are launched airborne. It’s a great finale, but a little disappointing not getting ‘Under The Bridge’. Almost as disappointing as the security staff’s decision to keep most of the exits shut at the end leading to obvious chaos. When will venues like this learn. Still it doesn’t spoil a decent show, but it’ll take someone pretty special to get me back in here again. It’s a great, if not amazing show, but fair play to the Chili’s they put a shift in and are tight as you’d expect. How old is Blood Sugar Sex Magik now? I’d love to hear that in full on an anniversary tour!