On Sunday, October 30, Finger Eleven took over the streets at the Buffalo Bills Tailgate Party at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario and warmed up an insanely excited crowd of Football enthusiasts. Formerly known as the Rainbow Butt Monkeys, the Juno award winning band released their fifth studio album, “Life Turns Electric” last October and have been busy promoting their newest material while touring across North America with Papa Roach. This year the band revealed their newest video for the single “Whatever Doesn’t Kill Me,” which was filmed as a unique one-shot concept, where the camera revolves 360 degrees around the band without a single cut.
It was difficult at first to tell if the majority of the crowd was huddled in front of the stage in the hopes of getting one last glimpse of Jim Kelly, (who made a brief appearance and answered audience questions, even throwing a football to a fan who requested to see him throw a ball the length of the beer garden) or if they were there to cheer on one of the most popular bands to come out of Ontario.
As the band stepped on stage numerous Bills and Redskins fans left the front rows in search of more beer which allowed the true Finger Eleven die-hards to get up close and personal, “We can’t wait to go inside to drink beer and watch football too,” joked lead singer Scott Anderson. The band quickly heated up the crowd playing popular hit songs like “One Thing,” “Living in a Dream” and the wildly popular “Paralyzer.” With their heavy lead and rhythm guitars, combined with Andersons strong vocal performance floating around the streets surrounding the Rogers Centre, the spectators slowly filled the beer gardens in the hopes of hearing more.
Dozens of people even bundled up and braved the chilly autumn weather out on their balconies, in the condos high above, cheering to hear more from below. It was apparent from beginning to end that Anderson was focused on one thing, (pardon the pun) giving a fantastic vocal performance, as he squeezed his eyes shut to focus on each and every note, making it difficult for fans to get any photos of him with his eyes open. His mannerisms and body movements were reminiscent of the great Joe Cocker, as he twitched, convulsed and writhed all over the stage. The other band members; James Black (lead guitar), Rick Jackett (rhythm guitar), Sean Anderson (bass), and Rich Beddoe (percussion), not only gave a solid, rockin’ musical performance but also had incredible stage presence. While drumming, Beddoe pointed at one female audience member and paused just long enough between the kick-drum, high-hat and snare to lick his drumstick in a provocative manner and blow her a kiss. The band
members appeared to be having a great time playing with one another as Black and Jackett, both on guitars, would try to out-show one another.
They had all kinds of tricks up their sleeves for the audience, like slapping out strange sounds to enhance their songs by holding their fingers on the frets to playing the guitar while swinging it around the stage as if it was a microphone stand.
The audience, consisting of all ages from children to the elderly, gave a thunderous applause of appreciation not only for a great performance, but for an incredible stage show minus any need for special effects. Finger Eleven gave it all for something… and that something obviously left the Washington Redskins “paralyzed” as the Buffalo Bills rocked the stadium beating out the skins 23-0.
Setlist:
Any Moment Now
Pieces Fit
Above
Falling On
Living in a Dream
Good Times
One Thing
Drag you Down
First Time
Whatever Doesnt Kill Me
Thats All intro (Genesis )/ Paralyzer
