Bristow, VA Review

[skalamander2112]

ive been to many shows in my 20 years and this is the third time ive seen . This was by far the best show I have ever seen. all three of em were on fire. Geds voice was outstanding, Lerxst was shredding and Neil was being the professor. The crowd was really into it for the entire show. I dont think i saw anyone sit down during any of the show. the boys were really feeding off of the crowd energy. and Moving Pictures.....wow just wow. The Camera Eye was really something else. I could go on and on about how great i thought it was, but after a 4 1/2 hour drive back to greenville nc, im beat

 

 

[thesweetscience]

I agree with your assessment.

[ALifeson85]

I concur

[quickfree]

Good show and I hope they change up the setlist enough next tour so I can figure out whether to go again or not.For some reason, Geddy seemed less talkative to the crowd than usual at this show. I think it might have been since they've been on the road so long and nearing the end of this leg.

 

 

Funny moments:

 

Alex having problems getting his guitar/earphone setup plugged in before Tom Sawyer. Kind of killed the momentum at the beginning of the Moving Pictures set. Luckily, they got it back during Camera Eye.

 

Alex falling to his knees during Far Cry near an amplifier. Not sure if he was checking out the settings or just messing around like he does on Bytor in 2004.

 

Alex mumbling and starting a brief second rant before La Villa. Guess it was the jitters from the Boston show when his guitar rig went out still echoing.

 

 

My favorite moments:

 

Bu2b came off really well live and was one of my faves from the first set along with Faithless. Two other songs I thought wouldn't translate well live but did.

 

Camera Eye. It was funny just watching the jam out the song in the middle. Guy in front of me was sitting their relaxing taking it all in. Amazing and probably the kodak moment for the night.

 

Closer to the Heart's ending arrangement was slightly tweaked and I didn't notice for the whole tour until now. What they did with Working Man was also clever and I was initially surprised about La Villa in the encore back in June, since its a long challenging song and on S&A they made the encore super easy after a 3 hour set.

 

Not so good moments:

 

Marathon - It started off nice but for some reason I wasn't feeling Alex's guitar tone here. I know he's using a Les Paul but the 87-90 performances seemed to work a lot better than tonight.

 

Parking - Too me nearly 2 hours to find my car but finally did. The idiots had me parked in an out of the way location. I had VIP parking but skipped on it since I think it was first come, first served and didn't want to get shut out waiting for the show to start. Either way, I guess id didn't matter.

[jonnyj]

I agree it was one hot show! They were smokin. The new cameras, lights, screens, production all of it was awesome and very cutting edge as expected but it seemed more so this time than any other. More full on HI-DEf? Loved the grainy effect on the screen making them look like they were in old B/w movies. The last tour lights were really cool too but this time I think it really exceeded.

 

I went to this show alone cause my brother backed out a month or so ago. I've done concerts alone before not for a while though. They can be beneficial. Like you can move to where you need to be in a crowd faster cause it's just you. It can be kinda lonely too. This was my 14th Rush show. Until the tragedy I'd seen every tour since 1979 with the exception of VT.

 

My take on Marathon with Alex was supreme. Especially the ambient midsection with the dreamy keyboard and Alex's ambient guitar washes. I also thought the new songs went over great but I'd also been listening to them daily up to this show. I also wasn't too excited to read that Presto was on the list even though it's been retired for some time, they played it a lot in the early 90's. Just wanted them to really change things up. I found myself loving it not that I ever thought it was bad song. And just how much that song meant a lot to me and is a very Rush song when you think about it. My friends who never let Rush off the hook for changing after Hemispheres, ragged on me all the time about that album. The Camera eye was my main reason for wanting to see this tour not that I wouldn't go if they didn't but finally something well IDK the word-different- than what's expected? Glad they did it and Vital Signs.

Neil sunded and played great I never think that he doesn't a few times during the solo the timeing seemed to be out of sync with the electronics or the delay time on the effects. Not sure. I noticed he seems to have his eyes closed a lot now when he plays? Never noticed that much before.

 

From a tech point of view being a bass player myself wish Geddy would get back to the Rickebnbackers. His Alchemy laden Jazz bass seems like he has a new one, and the Red bass that is tuned for the detuned 2112 sound great and have all the features etc. that make him great and I know he is in his element and probalby the Jazz bass is "his" element. But those Rickenbackers on those classic songs are the 'shiz" as the young people say.

 

Notation from the concert for future reference: Just say "No" to Jiffy lube Live and their dust bowl of a parking lot. I left over two hours early and that place is about an hour from home. I got to the exit just before 6:30PM and waited, and waited, waited, moved up, waited moved, and waited, waited, and all the while my watchmaker-time machine in the car counted down the hour until 7:30PM showtime I was not even at the entrance. By some miracle everyone's cars got in at some point I was walking across the parking lot at a steady pace by this time I was exasperated to give in to "Force Majure", and I heard Spirit Of Radio Blasting through I had to make a pit stop after 2 and half hours in the car, then heard them break into Time Stand Still and made it to my seat just before the end of it. It was the first time I was ever late to the beginning of a Rush. Even in the worst days of the Capitol Center they were able to handle the mess of people flowing in.

 

Jiffy Lube live and their former care taker Nissan never lifted a finger to make the dust bowl that is their parking lot any better. Forget about the dust just figure a way to make it easier for folks to get in though I'm blowin hot air probably they will never get it right probably. It was bad from their first concert in 1995 and got a little better maybe because of bad press helped, and then it seems in recent years depending on the concert progressively worse. I know they have to gauge each concert on tickets and past records whatever? I won't pretend to know. But it seems like they can do something way better than what they ahve right now. And paying the premium prices for a ticket like Rush warrants it but you may think differently. Just about everyone I talked to around me had the same thing happened and they missed a few songs, one guy told me that a group arrived in time to see Subdivisions and then the intermission happened. They were like what?

 

-JonnyJ

http://synth.me

Edited September 19, 2010 by jonnyj

[ALifeson85]

QUOTE (jonnyj @ Sep 19 2010, 03:13 PM)

I also wasn't too excited to read that Presto was on the list even though it's been retired for some time, they played it a lot in the early 90's.

Actually - this is the first and ONLY tour they played Presto. They rehearsed it for the Presto tour back in '89, but due to complications with Alex switching from electric to accoustic guitar, it didn't make the final cut of the setlist for the Presto tour.

 

Either way, the song sounded phenominal last night!

[vintonalan]

QUOTE (skalamander2112 @ Sep 19 2010, 04:41 AM)

ive been to many shows in my 20 years and this is the third time ive seen  . This was by far the best show I have ever seen. all three of em were on fire. Geds voice was outstanding, Lerxst was shredding and Neil was being the professor. The crowd was really into it for the entire show. I dont think i saw anyone sit down during any of the show. the boys were really feeding off of the crowd energy. and Moving Pictures.....wow just wow. The Camera Eye was really something else. I could go on and on about how great i thought it was, but after a 4 1/2 hour drive back to greenville nc, im beat

I agree. They were full on last night. If this was being recorded I wouldn't be surprised if it ended up on the next blu-ray. The only thing I noticed that wasn't quite right was a number of times Geddy pointed to his ear - something in his monitor mix was not the way he liked it.

 

[ridertoo98]

I agree with everybodt,they did a great show. Used the vip parking and was out on 66 in 10mins!! I couldnt beleive it.just a couple of tech issues,were fixed fast and didnt bother me at all. Was a great nite,90miles later I was home.

[greg2112]

Fantastic show last night, they were completely on, especially Alex. The Camera Eye was simply amazing, surpassing all my expectations, and the return of La Villa was a welcome surprise. I also thoroughly enjoyed the first set, different but very good. The light show was the best I ever saw them do- not overpowering, but complementary to the songs and very cool-looking; definitely enhanced things.

 

I also used the VIP lot and zipped right out after the show -its absolutely essential for that crappy venue....

 

Anyway -- This band is firing on all cylinders, incredible!

Edited September 19, 2010 by greg2112

[LakesideMaiden]

QUOTE (ALifeson85 @ Sep 19 2010, 04:43 PM)

QUOTE (jonnyj @ Sep 19 2010, 03:13 PM) I also wasn't too excited to read that Presto was on the list even though it's been retired for some time, they played it a lot in the early 90's. Actually - this is the first and ONLY tour they played Presto. They rehearsed it for the Presto tour back in '89, but due to complications with Alex switching from electric to accoustic guitar, it didn't make the final cut of the setlist for the Presto tour.   Either way, the song sounded phenominal last night! Presto made me openly cry when I heard it both at the Mohegan and Boston shows. I was so THRILLED to hear it.   edit to include that this was my 11,111th Post

Edited September 19, 2010 by LakesideMaiden

[drgrendel]

Still trying to determine which show was better - Pitt or Bristow. I really enjoy the atmosphere of an outdoor show, but have to say the sound in Pitt was SUPREME!!!!!!!

 

EXCELLENT way to end a week with 2 RUSH shows.

 

Doc

[rushfan21]

I have been to many shows but this show was awesome. The parking kinda sucked but I was expecting a nightmare leaving but got out ok. I drove up from Wilmington NC and had a hotel so no driving back that night for me. Great show and I cant wait until next one!

[Captain Avatar]

I have been to four Rush concerts before last night's concert, and none of them were nearly as good as far as I'm concerned. It's not that they others weren't good. On the contrary, I have loved every Rush concert I've ever attended. That being said, however, last night in Bristow, Virginia they were AMAZING! First of all, the sound was just about perfect...way better than it's been the past few tours. Geddy's voice was top notch, such that the crowd actually cheered when he perfectly hit "Each of us, a cell of awareness...". Presto sounded way better than the album version, the Camera Eye was incredible, hell...hearing all of Moving Pictures without a break made the concert worthwhile all by itself. I thought Neil's drum solo was the best he's ever done, and I even liked the extended big band ending, which I'm normally not too thrilled about. The crowd was the best I've ever seen, and when we were all shouting in unison during 2112 I looked around and was in awe. Very, very cool night, and one that I won't be forgetting.

[skalamander2112]

QUOTE (rushfan21 @ Sep 19 2010, 09:26 PM)

I have been to many shows but this show was awesome. The parking kinda sucked but I was expecting a nightmare leaving but got out ok. I drove up from Wilmington NC and had a hotel so no driving back that night for me. Great show and I cant wait until next one!

in retrospect, i should have stayed the night and drove back in the morning. but after 4 cups of coffee at waffle house, i was doin good parking actually wasnt that bad for us. i was out of there in about 15 minutes from general parking.

[hastoloverush]

Always loved Rush in the late 70's and the 80's but quit going to concerts after one front man decided to call everyone in the audience names, such as "Idiots", etc. (The guys in Rush would never do that!) I figured that I was not going to give any more rock stars (like Axl Rose) MY money. (My friend said.."wow-that's harsh!")

Thank gods a Rush fan convinced me to try them-just one more time. We got moved from the nosebleeds to 6 rows beside Alex (stage right). I was acting a fool and screaming my head off..I swear he looked at me. The 2007 Snakes and Arrows Tour show at the Excel in St. Paul was the BEST show I'd been to (aside from Led Zeppelin in 1976 at Earl's Court in London, and Pink Floyd at Knebworth the same year (I think-too much "stopping for the best" since then).

 

Enter today: Time Machine 2010...3 times with one to go. Waaaaah! I missed out on so much because of my stubborness. At least I have s little time and I am catching up on all I can, now.

 

I hope to write a Summer of Rush review of the 4 shows after I see them in Tampa. I really enjoy the observations others share of their experiences at the shows. Yes-this band is truly fine wine only growing better with age.

 

[Dax]

QUOTE (hastoloverush @ Sep 19 2010, 10:33 PM)

Always loved Rush in the late 70's and the 80's but quit going to concerts after one front man decided to call everyone in the audience names, such as "Idiots", etc. (The guys in Rush would never do that!) I figured that I was not going to give any more rock stars (like Axl Rose) MY money. (My friend said.."wow-that's harsh!") Thank gods a Rush fan convinced me to try them-just one more time. We got moved from the nosebleeds to 6 rows beside Alex (stage right). I was acting a fool and screaming my head off..I swear he looked at me. The 2007 Snakes and Arrows Tour show at the Excel in St. Paul was the BEST show I'd been to (aside from Led Zeppelin in 1976 at Earl's Court in London, and Pink Floyd at Knebworth the same year (I think-too much "stopping for the best" since then). Enter today: Time Machine 2010...3 times with one to go. Waaaaah! I missed out on so much because of my stubborness. At least I have s little time and I am catching up on all I can, now. I hope to write a Summer of Rush review of the 4 shows after I see them in Tampa. I really enjoy the observations others share of their experiences at the shows. Yes-this band is truly fine wine only growing better with age.

Wow...party on!

[Signals X-1]

Here is my little rookie review:

 

Woke up in Pensacola, FL at 0400. Barely caught my flight. Ran through Atlanta/Hartsfield and barely caught my connecting flight. Landed in Richmond and drove up to Bristow via the back roads (No, I didn't see Neil

 

Yeah, this was my first time seeing RUSH and they were just incredible. After the first set I had a big stupid smile on my face from the sheer awesomeness of the first set. I think I was saved after the Freewill solo. Geddy hit the notes in Marathon perfectly. Alex's backup vocals were spot on as well.

 

Moving "Pitchers" was...ok, there are no words to describe it. The Camera Eye was heavy and I was loving it!!! The guitar in Witch Hunt was just flat out growling.

 

The intro to La Villa Strangiato was fun and the lighting was jaw dropping. The videos were funny as heck, too!

 

I can't say enough about how amazing the show was. Everyone was into it and just loving it. I wish I had the time and funds to follow them around for the remainder of the tour. Just an amazing show which I will remember for the rest of my life!

 

Mike

[vital signz]

Just love this thread.

 

 

How many other bands would have folks driving and flying all over the fukkin place to see them like we folks do?

 

 

 

 

[LedZep]

First thing I agree with is that the parking sucks at this venue! First time ever at Jiffy Lube (where apparently you need the lube for what they are about to do to you), and hopefully my last visit. Usually go to shows in the Philly area. At first I was a bit appaled by what they called VIP parking, until I realized how far out the rest of the parking was... but still the VIP parking should be on the stage end of the venue, not the very rear.

 

We started our way out from our 11th row seats during Working Man, because we knew it was the last song and the video would follow... we were able to get out fast, thankfully, and were on 66 less than five minutes from getting in the car. What AMAZED me was that while still walking to the car (remember the part where we started out during Working Man?) a police escort whizzed by followed by Neil's bus!!! Man, he wasted no time at all, must have stepped off stage right onto the bus! Unmistakable, because of his trailer.

 

Great show overall, and glad I went for a second time. I thought the energy level in Philly was better, even though the weather was super hot and humid that night. Seemed that the guys are getting a little weary at this point in the tour. The crowd energy in the first 15 or so rows was also much lower than in Philly, which could explain the lower on stage energy - as it is fed forward. Not to say everyone wasn't into it, but not like they were in Philly.

 

Alex was great with the crowd on his side, and even had some fun with the Tom Sawyer wiring issues. Glad I went, had a great time.

 

 

[Ron2112]

QUOTE (LedZep @ Sep 20 2010, 07:03 AM)

Great show overall, and glad I went for a second time. I thought the energy level in Philly was better, even though the weather was super hot and humid that night. Seemed that the guys are getting a little weary at this point in the tour. The crowd energy in the first 15 or so rows was also much lower than in Philly, which could explain the lower on stage energy - as it is fed forward. Not to say everyone wasn't into it, but not like they were in Philly.

Our mileage varies a bit here. I was also at both the Philly and Bristow shows, and I thought the Bristow crowd smoked Philly. I'm partial to the hometown crowd, I guess....

[LedZep]

QUOTE (Ron2112 @ Sep 20 2010, 07:50 AM)

QUOTE (LedZep @ Sep 20 2010, 07:03 AM) Great show overall, and glad I went for a second time. I thought the energy level in Philly was better, even though the weather was super hot and humid that night. Seemed that the guys are getting a little weary at this point in the tour. The crowd energy in the first 15 or so rows was also much lower than in Philly, which could explain the lower on stage energy - as it is fed forward. Not to say everyone wasn't into it, but not like they were in Philly. Our mileage varies a bit here. I was also at both the Philly and Bristow shows, and I thought the Bristow crowd smoked Philly. I'm partial to the hometown crowd, I guess.... Just perception I guess... could also be because several people around me sat for a good bit of the show.... and in Philly no butt ever touched a chair while the band was on stage.   Not to give the wrong impression by any means... great show, and I had a great time!

[Funky Chicken]

Another NC Road-tripper here.

Drove up from Raleigh, getting to our hotel a little before three.

Mussels and Stellas at Bonefish Grill (a guy's gotta eat).

Our parking situation worked out ok-we were right opposite the VIP lot and were able to sneak out pretty quickly.

OK-the show.

It was Al's night. He was just ON on everything, and he knew it too.

Ged's voice was much better than earlier reviews would have led me to believe-nailed Free Will and Marathon.

Neil appeared to struggle a bit in the first set-got a little lost in LTTA and Marathon started off REALLY fast, but by the end of the first set he was where he needed to be. Still wearing headphones-ears must not be back to normal yet. New solo is really interesting-glad to see so many changes to it.

Other than Stick It Out, the first set was great. Happy with Presto, Marathon, Faithless. BU2B was very strong as well.

Pleasant surprise of the night-TCE. I like the song but felt like if the band wasn't into it they wouldn't do it justice. Wrong. I think putting the song in the context of the greater MP album was the key to it for them. It was kind of cool when they finished Vital Signs and Geddy said to the crowd "In case you didn't realize it that was our entire Moving Pictures album. It's 30 years old."

Not loving CTTH. Al's solo piece sounds like soundcheck noodling instead of a composition.

Howard put together a spectacular rig for this tour, too.

The guy in front of us asked me to snap a picture of them during Marathon "Unless Manhattan Project is your favorite song". I just snapped the pic.

All in all a very good show. Number 45 for me and definitely in the top 10.

[GernTheFish]

I was at the show Saturday night and I continue to be amazed at the # of people the band draws year after year. The place was either sold out or close to it. Everyone stood for the entire show - even in the lawn. Not much emotion, folks just appear to be focused on the band for the most part.

 

The performance was, as usual, very good. Geddy seemed to be playing exceptionally well, and put a lot of heart into his singing. I didn't catch any mistakes or tech difficulties. All the songs sounded great. The audience really cheered after the solo in Freewill. Closer to the Heart was well received also. The drum solo was unique, but a little less spectacular than most of Neil's previous solos.

 

One thing I noticed about the venue, was that the sound was much more clear and much louder in the center. We sat on the side under the pavilion for most of the show, but noticed the sound was better in the center of the lawn - even way in the back.

 

Looking forward to the next tour!

 

 

[Geddycrazy]

Concert was insane but what the hell is the problem with this venue?? Dont they know by now how the hell to handle traffic? We we're shitting our pants 2 miles from the arena at 7:30- I called the arena & the lady said"We are well aware of all the problems, sorry you will likely miss half the show" have a good nite" Seriously!! so at that point I said "f**k it!!" i didnt drive 6 hrs. to miss half the show! If the venue doesn't give a rat's ass about the fans missing it then I'll do whatever i have to to get there on time- which i did -weaving in & out of traffic & using lanes i wasn't"supposed to" another words i drove like a f***ing madman! Anyway, i finally got us up to where they were "parking" people albeit at snails pace & shouted out the window that we had VIP parking "where the hell is it?"-(which we luckily did). I zipped straight to the back of the lot & then we sprinted to the seats right in time for the opening cartoon! Whew!! We made it! Thank god the band waited till about 7:55 to hit the stage. I felt terrible for all the poor folks still locked down in traffic miles from the arena who know now many of which missed up to half the show- my buddy thanked me profusely for my Ballsy driving tactics, but i was left with no choice by Jiffy Lube Arena if i wanted to see the whole show.

 

The way out took us just 5 min. thankfully since most of the audience stayed for the last cartoon after the band left the stage, but we learned our lesson & high-tailed it the f**k it out of there!!

 

 

Incredible show from start to finish. period.!

Edited September 21, 2010 by Geddycrazy

[SiriusRushFan]

QUOTE (quickfree @ Sep 19 2010, 12:21 PM)

Alex mumbling and starting a brief second rant before La Villa.

lol That was funny. We were in the second row in front of Alex, and he was just singing a few la la las during the La Villa intro and then he looked down at this young kid in the front row who was asking him for a pick. Alex looked down and smiled and said "Sorry kid, this is the only one I've got, and I'm using it right now" Of course after the song was finished, Alex threw his pick down to the kid and he was happy. The coolness in the air was just right for an outdoor setting. Can't wait till they come back.