Live Review: Red Hot Chili Peppers @ Suncorp Stadium

Sitting in a packed out Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night, it’s abundantly clear that the Red Hot Chili Peppers know how to pull a crowd on any night of the week – and that opener Post Malone has shown up ready to convert a few new fans.

His warm vocal delivery, hot dance moves and worn AC/DC t-shirt get the crowd onside fast as he lays down a string of radio favourites, from I Like You (A Happier Song) and Better Now to the set-stealing I Fall Apart, a literal mic drop moment that sees him lie down on the stage to sing.

Confidence personified, Postie struts around the stage, striking flamboyant poses and getting up close to ecstatic fans in the front row.

Pic by Stephen Booth

No expense is spared when it comes to lighting, special effects and flares, but in the wardrobe department, Postie is perfectly happy borrowing items of clothing fans throw onto the stage – from caps and bear beanies to shoes.

When a borrowed shoe becomes a vehicle for the quintessential shoey, the performer sums up his own tongue-in-cheek sense of humour in seven words: “You’re an athlete, I can taste it.”

Rockstar is a set highlight for the crowd and for Postie himself, giving him the opportunity to recreate the cliched guitar smash and drink toss, and although it’s hard to watch another guitar fall victim to the stage, the broken pieces make great souvenirs for front row fans.

For anyone expecting an earful of autotune, the set full of passionate, powerful vocals is a breath of fresh air, as is Postie’s genuine gratitude and excitement. “There’s nothing you can’t do in this life”, he says, and after a performance like that, Brisbane is inclined to believe him.

When the Red Hot Chili Peppers take the stage, the crowd is riled up and ready for a set full of riffs and brain-melting bass work courtesy of Flea – and the band delivers from the get-go.

Every aspect of the performance is perfectly in sync, and though they play with the intensity that their catalogue demands, it’s clear that they’re having the time of their lives. The way they come together before each song grounds the whole set in camaraderie, while the riff-offs between Flea and John Frusciante build on a playful energy that culminates in shirts coming off.

Pic by Stephen Booth

That energy doesn’t stop there, following through the set as the band members pay tribute to one another and watch each other’s shining moments with pride.

As important as their togetherness is to the show, there’s also plenty of room for epic solos, from the drum solo in California to the legendary bass work throughout…well, just about any number you could name.

Far from a one-trick pony, Flea also pulls out some of the most energetic dance moves and handstands you could hope to see on any stage without ever missing a bass note.

The crowd soaks up all of the extra energy, riding on shoulders, holding up homemade posters and singing along to every word of the band’s cult classics, from Around The World and By The Way to Soul to Squeeze.

While it’s a challenge to pick out a set highlight, Californication is impossible to forget as it morphs from an intimate jam session between bandmates into a high-energy crowd-pleaser.

Pic by Stephen Booth

Closing number, Give It Away, is a close contender, pairing psychedelic visuals and experimental dance moves with the anticipation of the band’s two biggest numbers to come.

There’s just one problem: after more than 90 minutes of amazing music, energy and chemistry,  that highly anticipated encore never comes, leaving lovers of classics Can’t Stop and Under the Bridge feeling somewhat jilted.

Still, we do get to revel in the playful sense of humour that gives rise to lines like “I’ve got the sweatiest testicles in Brisbane right now”.

At the end of the night, two things are certain: Flea deserved much more time on the big screen and skipping the encore only works if you don’t leave two of your biggest songs off the setlist.

Now to listen to Can’t Stop on repeat.