Vedder, Cult, Beasties, And Rage Rock Tibetan Chicago Show

06/14/1999 4:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Craig Rosen

(6/14/99, 1 p.m. PDT) - This year's Tibetan Freedom Concerts, held in Sydney, Tokyo, Amsterdam, and Chicago yesterday (June 13), sported impressive bills in each city. However, the U.S. concert had the biggest collection of top-name talent, including concert organizers the Beastie Boys, the reformed Cult, Rage Against The Machine, and others.

It was a bit ironic that the Beastie Boys' own set seemed like an anti-climax, since the band spearheaded the concert. Following a lengthy 35-minute break that broke the show's momentum, the group's set was plagued by a horrible sound mix in which the bass drowned out the vocals as well as the nuances coming from Money Mark 's keyboards.

While instrumental forays such as "Sabrosa" and punky attacks like "Time For Livin'" and "Something's Got To Give" can be nice changes of pace on record, they didn't work in the context of this particular performance. The Beasties' set didn't bust open until late, with a closing salvo of "The Move," "So What'cha Want," "Intergalactic," and "Sabotage."

Adam Yauch also used the Beasties' set to hammer home the day's message, thanking the patrons and bands for coming and reminding the audience, "When you go home, still think about Tibet."

As has been traditional at the now-annual concert, the day began with a group of Tibetan monks chanting and blessing the stage. That was followed by Cibo Matto and Grammy-winning legendary blues performer and Chicago native Otis Rush. Rush has been cited as an inspiration to artists ranging from Eric Clapton to Eddie Vedder, the latter of whom has called on Rush to open concerts for Pearl Jam in the past.

The reformed Cult brought a taste of straight-up rock 'n' roll to the show. Ian Astbury, who looked like a cross between Jim Morrison and Steven Tyler, grooved with guitarist Billy Duffy in the Cult's first high-profile gig since reuniting earlier this year. Drummer Matt Sorum, with short-cropped hair and a white T-shirt, was steady as the band shook off rust toward the end of its set with "She Sells Sanctuary," "Peace Dog," "Wildflower," "Rain," and "Fire Woman." Asbury gave kudos to the crowd, saying, "You should be proud of yourselves for being here today--it's righteous," before the band launched into their closing number, "Love Removal Machine."

Pearl Jam singer Vedder shocked the audience as he seemingly chose members of the crowd to play in his band. Vedder came out alone at first and played a heartfelt rendition of the band's current hit cover of "Last Kiss" before launching into "Better Man" with his backing band.

Vedder told the crowd that he was going to choose members of the audience to play with him, to which the crowd answered with a roar. He surveyed the crowd and picked someone from the left and someone from the right of the stage. These "chosen ones," however, turned out to be bassist John Merithew and drummer Brad Balsley, the rhythm section of Seattle band C Average on the Kill Rock Stars label--still, many seemed to believe the scenario was genuine.

Vedder and friends played several covers, including the Police's politically minded "Driven To Tears," Talking Heads' "Building On Fire" and Little Steven's "I Am A Patriot," among others. At the end of the set, Vedder bowed with his impromptu band to a roar of approval.

Philadelphia rap group the Roots were the first hip-hop group to take the stage for the day, although Prince Paul and the Automator spun collaborative DJ sets between the other performances.

Some of the crowd seemed familiar with the band, perhaps because the Roots opened for the Beastie Boys on the Ill Communication tour. The group also once performed on Lollapalooza's second stage. More recently, the Roots opened on the Dave Matthews Band's stadium tour.

One of the more unique groups in hip-hop, the Roots combine MCs with a live keyboardist, drummer, and bass player. The lineup worked well in a live setting. The group's set featured some of its better-known songs, including "Mellow My Man."

With its expanded six-piece touring lineup, Live presented one of the most passionate sets of the day, with frontman Ed Kowalczyk addressing the issue more than any other performer, save the Cult's Ian Astbury.

"You're gonna be the ones to bring love into the new millennium for the first time in human history; are you ready to do that?" Kowalczyk asked during the set, promising that Live will "be back as long as they'll have us, 'til Tibet is free."

The group's eight-song set reached back to its first album for "Operation Spirit" and "Pain Lies On The Riverside"; grabbed hits such as "All Over You," "Selling The Drama," "Lakini's Juice," "I Alone," and "Lightning Crashes"; and showcased a dramatic new track, "The Dolphins Cry." Kowalczyk introduced the latter as his favorite from Live's upcoming fourth album, The Distance To Here, which is due in October.

The reunited Blondie was treated as a nostalgic curiosity by most of the youthful audience, which didn't respond with quite the same enthusiasm as it did for most of the other acts. Nevertheless, Deborah Harry and company were in solid form, as they tore through a seven-song set that included three from its latest album as well as the hits "Dreaming," "Hanging On The Telephone," "Call Me," and "One Way Or Another."

Tracy Chapman made up for her cancellation at last year's Tibetan Freedom Concert after a lightning storm cut short the first day of the Washington D.C. shows. Her set of hits--including "Talkin' 'Bout A Revolution," "Fast Car," "She's Got A Ticket," "Crossroads" (which she dedicated to the people of Tibet), and "Give Me One Reason"--was well received by the crowd. She also surprised the audience with a cover of Big Mama Thornton's "Hound Dog," a song made famous by Elvis Presley during the '50s.

If Chapman's folksy set recalled protest concerts from the '50s, '60s, and '70s, Rage Against The Machine's fiery set represented the new breed. After being introduced by guitarist Tom Morello's mother, the band kicked into an explosive "People Of The Sun," and never let up the intensity for the next 40 minutes.

Drawing songs from both of its albums--including "Bulls On Parade," "Kill Your Enemy," "Vietnow," and "Killing In the Name"--the quartet also played "No Shelter" from last year's Godzilla soundtrack. But the highlight of the set was "Testify," a scorching rocker slated for its upcoming third album. While fans had been sliding in the mud on the lawn throughout the day, Rage's set transformed the area into a scene that recalled Woodstock '94. Like the band's set at the first Tibetan Freedom concert in San Francisco in 1996, it left the entire venue exhausted.

Run-DMC, originally scheduled as the final act, switched places with the Beastie Boys, and had the unenviable task of following Rage. But the band came through, delivering an old-school style set that got the audience hopping and waving its arms to hits such as "King Of Rock," "Mary Mary," "It's Like That," and "Whatcha Gonna Do," the latter from the group's most recent album, 1994's Down With The King. Run, now an ordained minister with his own congregation (and his own label, Rev. Run Records), may be taking his religious profession a bit too seriously, as he spent nearly as much time talking as the group did playing music. But the fans didn't seem to mind: once DJ Jam Master Jay began spinning the tracks after a Rev. Run sermon, everyone was bouncing in unison.

After giving the Beastie Boys a break years ago by taking them out on tour, Run-DMC seemed to have no problem hitting the stage before their former protégés.

Features on the Roots, Live, and Blondie are available on LAUNCH.com. Look for a Cibo Matto feature soon.

-- Darren Davis, Brian Ives, and Gary Graff (Chicago)

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