Manchester’s Night of Nostalgia: Limp Bizkit Takes Over AO Arena
You don’t need to ask directions to find Limp Bizkit’s show this evening. Simply follow the legions of red baseball caps snaking towards the AO Arena. Because for one night, Manchester is home to Loserville. Population: Over 20,000 fans, five bands, and 46 fucks in one fucked-up rhyme.
Opening Acts Ignite the Energy
Brazilian riot girl Karen Dió is the perfect spark to tonight’s powder keg of mosh silliness. Kicking out thrashy jams like “Cut Your Hair,” she bounds around and owns the stage like a cross between Kathleen Hanna and Scrappy Doo. “Y’alright R kid?” she quips to the locals and throws in a delightfully punked-up version of Chappell Roan’s “Casual” for good measure.
N8NOFACE: The One-Man Prodigy
Next up, N8NOFACE emerges as a one-man Prodigy. Hailing straight from hardcore punk backyard parties in Arizona, his motormouthed tirades about dirty cops and dirtier drugs resonate over juddering synths. His performance feels like the nightmarish flip-side to Limp Bizkit’s party jams, catering to a Generation Strange.
Ecca Vandal and Bones: Diverse Sounds
Ecca Vandal is a natural choice to prime the crowd, expertly treading the line between larger-than-life hip-hop and massive rock grooves. Her seismic choruses on “Cruising To Self Soothe” are designed to explode on big stages. In contrast, emo-rapper Bones brings a considerably darker vibe, spending his set bouncing through smoke pouring from a huge skull. His graveyard rapping effectively gets the crowd jumping to menacing cuts like “READY2RUMBLE” and “RestInPeace.”
Limp Bizkit: A Time Machine Experience
If up to this point your mouth has been writing cheques that your ass can’t cash, you’re out of luck because the moment Limp Bizkit tears into “Break Stuff’s” punch-drunk groove, all bets are off. To call the movement of the crowd a mosh pit would be a severe understatement. As the band pushes and pulls with each explosive groove, the arena floor transforms into a churning sea of bouncing bodies, beers, and red caps.
Fred Durst: The Proud Showman
“This thing is like a time machine,” Fred Durst exclaims, promising to take us back to 1999. “You just have to say one thing and this fucker kicks in: If only we could flyyyy.” Before you know it, “My Generation” (and several bodies) are airborne. Meanwhile, Wes Borland’s colorful witchdoctor get-up feels fitting as he unleashes bone-rattling riffs from “Rollin’” to the sinuous licks of “Take A Look Around” and “Livin’ It Up.”
A New Heyday for Limp Bizkit
Surprisingly, time travel is unnecessary because the band is experiencing a new heyday 30 years in. Approximately 70% of the crowd raises their hands when Fred asks if this is their first Bizkit show. When he invites two red-capped fans onstage, who may not even have been in nappies when the frontman first invited the world to kiss his starfish, they spit each bar of “Full Nelson” like it’s their anthem. Fred beams like a proud, potty-mouthed uncle.
Conclusion: The Last Laugh
A curfew-defying second bout of “Break Stuff” delivers the knockout, leaving this crowd wrecked and grinning. For anyone who ever wrote them off in 1999 (or, indeed, ever), Limp Bizkit are having the last laugh.
FAQs
1. What can I expect from a Limp Bizkit concert?
You can expect high energy, nostalgia, and a crowd that knows how to mosh. The band often plays their iconic hits and engages with the audience throughout the show.
2. Are there opening acts at Limp Bizkit shows?
Yes, Limp Bizkit often features a lineup of opening acts that bring diverse musical styles, ranging from punk to hip-hop, setting the stage for an energetic night.
3. How has Limp Bizkit’s music evolved over the years?
While they maintain their signature nu-metal sound, Limp Bizkit has also adapted to modern music trends, showcasing a mix of old and new influences in their performances.
4. Is it common for new fans to attend Limp Bizkit concerts?
Absolutely! Many new fans discover Limp Bizkit through their older music or social media, and a significant portion of the crowd at their shows consists of first-time attendees.
