I had been awaiting this date, November 19th for almost two months now.� I
can remember when I was waiting about 6 or 7 months for "The Battle of Los
Angeles" to come out.� After this, I was even more pumped for the concert.� I
made sure to get my tickets early because I knew that this was the long
awaited return of Rage and the place would be packed, which it was.� The
concert was supposed to start at 8:00 and I got there at about 8:10.� I
wasn't even aware that I had missed the "Dilated Peoples" until a few days
after the show.� I was with a couple friends and we decided to stay in the
seats until Gangstarr came off because we wanted to save our energy for rage.
Gangstarr came out and did a good job of get the crowd ready for RAGE
AGAINST THE MACHINE.� The greatest thing about Gangstarr was that the lead
guy had a ball and chain that he swung around, he called it "Lucile."� I
don't know why, but it entertained me.� Finally, Gangstarr finished up it's
set and the lights came on.� Now was the time when I started to the trip to
the floor.
I had only one problem with this concert.� This was the venue they played at.
A year before I had been to another concert here.� For some reason this
venue locks off the floor so no one can get in our out.� You stay where you
are for the whole concert.� As we made our way down the stairs a sudden rush
of excited fans swarmed down the stairs pushing everyone forward.� This was
only to find that the security had already locked off the floor, all of this
pushing was pointless, people were jus being pushed into a fence.� A few of
the desperate fans jumped the fence and ran through the crows as the fans
cheered them on.� I was one of the unlucky ones that didn't make it onto the
floor.� I was stuck up in the seats the whole entire show.� This angered me
but I wouldn't let it ruin one of the most amazing experiences I was about to
encounter.� I found a descent place to stand up in the seats and waited for
Rage to come on.� The energy level was already pounding.� There were about
six different pits all over the floor without anyone on the stage.� Finally
two large red stairs were raised on the side of the stage and a huge banner
reading "The Battle of Oakland" came up behind the drums.� The crowd was
ready for Rage.� When the lights went out the crowd went insane, screaming
for Rage to emerge from backstage.� Zach, Tom, Brad, and Tim came onto the
stage as the crowd just exploded with excitement.� They spread out to their
different instruments and Zach picked up the mic saying "Check one two, one
two," "We're Rage Against the Machine from Los Angeles, California."� Then
they went directly into "Testify"� The Sound quality of the song was amazing
and the volume was perfect.� I was in Utopia, everything was just so perfect.
They went through there setlist perfectly playing:
Set List:
---------
1. Testify
2. Guerrilla Radio
3. People Of The Sun
4. Calm Like A Bomb
5. Bullet In The Head
6. Bombtrack
7. Sleep Now In The Fire
8. Born Of A Broken Man
9. Know Your Enemy
10. No Shelter
11. War Within A Breath
Encore:
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12. Bulls On Parade
13. Freedom
14. Killing In The Name
Killing in the Name was the most amazing thing I had ever seen, everyone was
singing the words and everyone was just so pumped even though it was the end.
This was by far the best concert I have ever seen and will be sure to come
back to see them anytime they are in time.� I encourage everyone to buy
tickets to the nearest show of Rage Against the Machine and see this amazing
spectacle.