Tag: covid

  • Rammstein Sets Soldier Field In Chicago On Fire

    Rammstein Sets Soldier Field In Chicago On Fire

    Photo-Travis Failey

    After the painful wait of over two years due to Covid restrictions worldwide, Rammstein finally made it to Soldier Field in Chicago, as part of their current North American stadium tour this past Saturday night (September 3rd). A fair question for people to ask is “Was it worth the wait?” I can answer that with a very enthusiastic (more like bombastic) Hell yes! It damn sure was.

    Photo- Chuck Ignarski

    Photo-Travis Failey

    As a veteran of photographing/reviewing many live shows throughout the years, I gladly accepted the challenge of putting the band’s live performance into perspective here. As a fan of the music since their inception in 1994, it’s hard to imagine the level of popularity attained by chosing to not follow the more traditional routes of exposure that are typical of bands of this magnitude.

    Photo-Travis Failey

    Make no mistake though, Rammstein remains as one of the few musical juggernauts that made their bones mostly through their reputation as incredible musicians, along with their infamous use of fire, pyrotechnics, lighting and a flair for “over the top theatrics.”

    Photo-Travis Failey

    To give you a sense of the enormity of the post-apocalyptic themed stage that is currently in use, it took seven, (yes you read that correctly) seven 747 jumbo jets to haul this monster across the pond, as well as 60 trucks to take two complete stages around North America. As if that’s not enough, they average 265 gallons of fuel (per show) for all of the fire effects and that doesn’t even include the massive display of fireworks and explosions that are also on display.

    Photo-Travis Failey

    To say that Rammstein’s show is unlike anything that you’ve ever seen before (or probably ever will in your lifetime) is like saying Till Lindemann likes playing with matches. Let me just say that you will definitely feel the heat and that may include some singed hairs before it’s all said and done.

    Photo-Travis Failey

    So, let’s talk about the live show that unfolded before a sold out audience of 40,000 plus fans. The opening act Duo Abelard, consisted of dual pianists playing Rammstein songs much in the same “punch you in the face” fashion that the band would play some of those very same songs later on in the evening.

    Photo-Travis Failey

    Although slightly skeptical of this choice for an opener, much to my surprise and I suspect most everyone else in the stadium, it worked very well. Those poor pianos though, they literally took a pounding from these very talented young ladies from France.

    Photo-Travis Failey

    After a brief intermission and a recorded announcement from the band “enjoy your evening with Rammstein” (akin to a flight attendant asking you gently to please fasten your seatbelts) the epic audiovisual assault began with a set of explosions that caught nearly everyone off guard [including myself] while launching into “Armee Der Tristen” and “Zick Zack.”

    Photo-Travis Failey

    From this point it was an all out assault to the senses with a 21 song set list that covered their three decades of music and lasted over 2 and a half hours.  Just to name a few, songs included fan favorites “Du Hast,” ‘Links 234,” “Mein Herz Brent,” “Sonne,” “Deutschland” and so many more.

    Photo-Travis Failey
    Photo-Travis Failey

    One of the surprising moments of the evening consisted of the band doing a stripped down version of one of my personal favorites “Engel,” once again accompanied by pianists Duo  Abelard.

    Photo-Travis Failey

    While slightly bummed about Till “retiring” his Engel wings of fire from previous tours, sans said wings and instruments, this version was just absolutely amazing and hauntingly beautiful. Ramping up the power of this song was the added effect of everyone in the stadium singing along word for word, while completely lighting up the venue with their phone flashlights, it was truly something to behold.

    Photo-Travis Failey

    As this was the first of a two encore set, the band opened up the final volley of the evening with “Rammstein,” and frontman Till Lindemann donned a “pyro backpack” that intermittently spewed a perfect half circle of flameas around him. This was followed by the stacatto march of “Ich Will” and the final song of the evening, appropriately “Adieu.”

    Photo-Travis Failey

    As the band gave their traditional front of stage kneel to the crowd showing their true appreciation, there were many thoughts that crossed my mind, as they continue to do days after the show.

    Photo-Travis Failey

    The sensory overload that is a Rammstein show can not be matched by anything that I’ve ever witnessed and as stated earlier, I don’t think ever will. The endorphine and adrenaline fueled high that is part of a Rammstein show is something that no artificial or natural substance can provide.

    Photo-Travis Failey

    The only letdown was the day after the show when I realized it was over and all that was left was unforgettable memories, a horse voice, ringing ears and begin the long wait for the band to come back to the States and do it all again.

    Set list

    1. Armee der Tristen
    2. Zick Zack
    3. Links 2-3-4
    4. Sehnsucht
    5. Zeig dich
    6. Mein Herz brennt
    7. Puppe
    8. Heirate mich
    9. Zeit
    10. Deutschland

    (Remix by Richard Z. Kruspe)

    1. Deutschland
    2. Radio
    3. Mein Teil
    4. Du hast
    5. Sonne
    1. Encore:
    2. Engel

    (with Duo Abélard) (Piano version; performed on B-stage)

    1. Ausländer
    2. Du riechst so gut
    3. Pussy
    4. Encore 2:
    5. Rammstein
    6. Ich will
    7. Adieu

  • Todrick Hall and Pussy Riot Headline an Amazing Night of St. Pete Pride

    Todrick Hall and Pussy Riot Headline an Amazing Night of St. Pete Pride

    Photo-Randy Cook
    By Brian Craig & Randy Cook

    Florida’s largest LGBTQ+ Pride celebration in St. Petersburg, FL is back and bigger than ever for the 20th anniversary of St. Pete Pride Month. Prior to the world shutting down for the COVID pandemic, the last iteration of this event’s parade drew over 265K attendees. This year’s celebration is sure to top that attendance number with the 2022 Florida legislation prohibiting instruction related to gender identity or sexual orientation in kindergarten through third grade, dubbed the “Don’t say gay” bill by opponents, Florida has made a lot of news in the LGBTQ+ community this year. Then earlier in the day of the concert, the US Supreme Court decision regarding a woman’s right to abortion sent shockwaves through the entire country and from what I witnessed in the crowd at the show was it just strengthened people’s resolve to come together even more as a group and have their rights protected and their voices heard.  

    Photo-Randy Cook

    This year’s waterfront concert featured international talent and American Idol alum Todrick Hall as the headliner, Russian feminist protest and performance art group Pussy Riot in direct support, and some of the region’s top LGBTQ+ artists round out this concert event.  Held on Friday, June 25th in the beautiful outdoor area around the St. Pete Pier’s Spa Beach, thousands of attendees to the show enjoyed the waterfront, the camaraderie of one another sharing the reason of coming together for an event such as this and enjoyed vendors, food trucks and interactive activities.

     Unfortunately Mother Nature decided to spoil the party for a little over an hour with a quick moving storm and soon the venue was re-opened however a few of the local acts had to be scratched to accommodate the time schedule, which I figured was relating to the city’s noise ordinance and how late it would be if the schedule picked up where it left off.

    Photo-Randy Cook

    In those few minutes before we were told that the show’s resumption would be with Pussy Riot just a few minutes away, I asked “where’s the drum kit?” only seeing a table at the back of the stage with a laptop on it. To say I was expecting a band to play would only show how little I knew of this band’s music. The organizers of the event then brought up to the stage the local performers whose sets were bumped due to the weather and announced they would be playing the next day before the parade.

    Photo-Randy Cook

    Pussy Riot became a household name after the band’s staged performance inside Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ in February 2012, becoming renowned for staging ad hoc performances in unusual places. They are a collective feminist protest and performance art ensemble popular for their punk sound. Which is what I was expecting, some rebellious angry punk music.

    Photo-Randy Cook

    They have been surrounded by controversy ever since that performance for protesting Orthodox Church leaders’ support for (Russian President) Vladimir Putin during his election campaign.  This collective has over 100 members and the one and only original performer from the band playing this evening was lead musician Nadya Tolokonnikova. She was sentenced to two years in prison by Russian Authorities for hooliganism after her band’s church performance.

    Photo-Randy Cook

    Nadya used her sultriness to sing and dance both to the crowd and her ‘band mates’, often stopping in her tracks to admire an even photo/video the weapon wielding, masked, and schoolgirl outfit clad ladies with her phone, dancing to the beat. She would set the music at the back of the stage and then slink her way around the masked ladies, eventually finding herself at the front of the stage proactively singing, and many times spinning around to take photos of her stage mates as well as a selfie with the crowd behind her.

    Photo-Randy Cook

    Being a metalhead at heart I would have to say my favorite part of their performance was the sampled in System of a Down song that led into their original as I could see from the crowd I was not alone in headbanging at hat part and I saw many horns in the air at that point.

    Photo-Randy Cook

    Totally not what I expected going into the show but their performance was highly entertaining, the crowd absolutely loved every minute and I have to say that more than once I was captivated by what I was seeing on stage. 

    Photo-Randy Cook

    Todrick Hall’s rise to fame has included initially performing on weekends at an amusement park near his family home as a teenager, to performing on various cruise lines, auditioning and being cast as an understudy on Broadway to winning the third season of American Idol. He is also a social media star, captivating his growing number of followers with videos of his original music as well as organizing and choreographing flash mobs performing other major stars’ songs. This is his first time performing for the St. Pete Pride Festival.

    Photo-Randy Cook

    Todrick’s set was a visual extravaganza with multiple outfit changes and six dancers in and among him so there was usually a stage full of color and movement. He commanded the crowd who seemed to know every beat, bass drop and word to his songs. He brought up on stage his hair and makeup artist who went on to show off her own dance moves and in between songs Todrick shared positive messages about believing in yourself and who you are.

    Photo-Randy Cook

    While this was a highly politically charged day and year, the performers wanted to make it more about the music and togetherness of why we all gathered here this evening. Nadya called for peace in Ukraine and death to Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Todrick was all about the fellowship of the Pride community, being true to yourself and to follow your dreams.

    Photo-Randy Cook

    Overall this event was a great success and lead into a massively packed parade the next day with what I expect will be record breaking crowds announced. Thousands were on hand, braving the heat for the celebration that was 3 years in the making since the last event’s parade. What a great weekend. Pride staff, support staff, security, St Pete PD and everyone attending were awesome. This had to be the most diverse gathering of people that I’ve ever been immersed in – age, race, sex, opinions, religions, beliefs; etc. great to see everyone who was there, for a purpose or just to have fun and enjoy live music, entertainment, food and drinks – get along so well. 

    Photo-Randy Cook

  • The Illusion of Freedom

    The Illusion of Freedom

    The illusion of freedom is the strongest control. Autocratic forms of control were always met with resistance, today’s control is governed through this illusion of freedom. They claim that liberties are worth sacrificing for security, as Ben Franklin said, “…you get neither.” All this recent lawlessness being exhibited in Minneapolis is exactly what they want, a reason to further pursue individual freedom in the supposed sense of security, which is only a vail of fascist control.

             Divide and Conquer: Logically, to usurp a country such as the United States would be extremely difficult; that’s why no country has attempted a land invasion of the US, the populace would be too hostile to ever control. Therefore, they found an easier route. The fascists and communists of old, managed to infiltrate every layer of our great democracy, and slowly they have revealed themselves for who they truly are. 2016 was a polarizing year, they showed their true colors because they were losing. They are not even liberal anymore, and people like JFK would have been conservatives today. Regardless, considering the problem of a hostile populace, the easiest way to topple such a society and establish an autocracy, would be through dividing a united people. With the entire mass media under their control, they are able to warp public opinion of those who listen in any way they choose, stir up hate, stir up fear, stir up hysteria. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what they have done, they knew exactly what they were doing. They poured gasoline into a fire, and it has erupted into nationwide civil unrest not seen since the 90’ LA riots. The question then becomes, why would they want lawlessness? The answer is simple, it gives them an excuse to exert more control, and allows them to take liberties.

               The Modern Plantation: That is the idea that unfortunately, the lower socioeconomic classes, which includes blacks, are specifically designed to be poor, and designed to become dependent on government money and support. This was achieved through a few methods, first of course is welfare itself, first implemented by FDR, during agreeably a rough economic time in US history, yet I believe this was the start. At first many democrats truly despised blacks, but once they realized they had republican support, they found they could manipulate the blacks into voting democrat. Lyndon B Johnson once said, “I’ll have n****** voting democrat for 200 years,” and nowadays blacks are told that they aren’t black if they aren’t voting democrat. This modern plantation is worse than slavery, its perceived freedom. Another way they attempted to control blacks was through planned parenthood, a despicable corporation that’s founder said on quote “We do not want the word to go out that we want to exterminate the negro populace” Margret Sanger. Many of the first planned parenthood locations, were in the poorest and typically overwhelming black. Of course, today the left praises planned parenthood, and many don’t understand its sinister roots.

               Liberal Media Industrial Complex: “A lie told often enough, becomes truth”- Vladimir Lenin (his actual name was Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov), Lenin knew this all to well. All autocratic dictators had control of the media, and used it to subsequently to subvert and dilute the flow of information, in their favor. Just like Hitler had Joseph Goebbels, the deep state has an entire mass of media, since the format has media has changed, they needed to successfully infiltrate all of them. I remember vividly when Amy Robach, live on NBC said that 3 years ago, she had the entire Epstien story and was told by executives to snuff the it. This corruption runs so deep its almost systematic at this point, with the combination of Youtube’s censorship of conservative content, to twitters shadow banning, to Facebooks manipulated trending pages. This is an essential part of control in the minds of fascists and communists, and of course it is. The control of the flow of information allows a government- (or shadow government) to create or destroy history. And that thought is truly terrifying. Imagine being simply erased from history, as was evident in the USSR were people were “vaporized” because they either failed the state or didn’t fit the narrative, and therefore had to be eradicated. Let’s say theoretically I’m completely right, how scary would that be? And people like me would absolutely be on top of the lists.

         The Covid Test: Covid was merely a test in my opinion, to see how society would react to total control. I believe this, for there are a multitude of pieces of evidence suggesting it was a man-made virus and that it came from a lab in Wuhan, located only 100 meters from the seafood market. Also, the manager of the lab, allegedly was selling animals they were testing on to the market. Second, China attempted to hide its existence until almost January, and it was perfectly timed with the largest human migration in the world, the Chinese New Year. The question then becomes why? Well like I said they wanted to see how obedient society would be, they also wanted to remove socialization, for when people talk, they spread ideas and think, which is threatening to an authoritative government. In fact, Cuomo is talking about doing away with classrooms entirely, and moving it to all online, and partnering with Bill Gates. Which of course is all part of their agenda of removing socialization, especially among children, who are quite malleable at that age. Also, the all the “online gym” fads are being pushed to, which is scary considering its right out of 1984. Its even more apparent in the UK, where people are told to narc on their neighbors for not abiding by social distancing. Truly frighting times, the chance of me being right regardless the percentage, it’s scary that I could be right, and I pray that I’m not, but I fear I am.

                    The Crimes of the EU: It’s horrible what the EU has done to Europe, forcing sanctions on members that don’t abide by their wants and wishes. They truly have ruined Europe’s safety, by purposely forcing countries to take in immigrants from the middle east. This led to a spike in all kinds of crime, and France is now the terrorist attack capitol of the world, Stockholm the rape capitol of the world, and London the acid attack capitol of the world. It’s horrible, they knew exactly what they were doing, calling it in the name of “diversity,” thousands of children, men women and the elderly have paid the price of this “diversity” with their lives, their dignity and their property. It makes me so angry because the EU knows what they are doing. And it gets worse every day, with the UK banning forks and butter knives in public, so protecting yourself is an impossibility; in fact, if someone breaks into your house and you kill them, you’ll go to jail for murder. All in the name of political correctness and diversity, people die everyday as they slowly advance their agenda until, they have true lawlessness, and they will then suggest their solution, total control. The also has talked about an EU army as well, isn’t that a frightening thought? In my opinion, those bastards deserve a bullet for every life they have costed in the name of “diversity” it makes me sick just thinking about it.             

              The Solution: Unfortunately, there isn’t one. Not a simple one, either we must gut and reform the governments of the world, with all newly elected leaders and elected politicians, which would not be an easy task, and they most definitely would not surrender after all the progress they have achieved. Unfortunately, without violence I don’t believe they can be rooted out; which I believe they will eventually make an attempt, once they realize in places like America, they can’t win democratically. This is exactly why every law-abiding citizen should own a fire arm, for that is the true solution. I hate I even have to talk like this, but the chance of me being right outweighs my acceptance of a world of control, where individuality is dead, collective thinking is the way of life, and liberty and freedom is dead.