‘Stole the show’: Surprise act steals Red Hot Chili Peppers concert

The Red Hot Chili Peppers got slammed for their first Sydney concert. Last night, they made a simple change that fixed everything.

Chloe Whelan

2 min read

February 6, 2023 - 6:29AM

The Red Hot Chili Peppers had a rocky start to their Sydney concerts, allowing for a surprise act to steal the show. Picture: Supplied.

Cult band the Red Hot Chili Peppers appeared to have altered the set list for their Saturday night performance in Sydney, after heated backlash from fans who accused them of straying too far from their roots.

The American rock band – including lead vocalist Anthony Kiedis, 60, bassist Flea, 60, drummer Chad Smith, 61, and guitarist John Frusciante, 52 – performed at Accor Stadium on Thursday and Saturday night as part of their 2023 Australian tour with Post Malone.

It’s been more than two decades since their huge success with 1999 album Californication and 2002 album By the Way.

But the band came under fire on Thursday night for playing a few too many tracks from its latest two albums, Unlimited Love and Return of the Dream Canteen, both of which dropped last year.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers had a rocky start to their Sydney shows, but Saturday night appeared to make up for it. Picture: Don Arnold/WireImage

“Wish I could take back my decision to go to RHCP. Absolutely gutted by that performance,” one person wrote on Facebook in response to a post from Accor Stadium celebrating the show.

“Good experience (but) won’t see em again. Their set was new song focused and the crowd struggled to feel it,” criticised another.

On their second night in Sydney, however, the band re-emerged with a slightly shorter set list that still made room for more classic hits.

According to setlist.fm, while both concerts had an equal number of 2022 tracks, on Saturday night the Red Hot Chili Peppers axed a slew of older songs to free up space for their quintessential breakout album.

On night two, the band made room for more 1999 hits. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Fans praised the old classics. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Thursday’s show had just one 1999 hit with Californication, but on Saturday the band made room for four more — Right on Time, Otherside, Scar Tissue and Around the World.

The change seemed to have made all the difference, with the majority of fans praising Saturday’s show on social media.

“Hard show to beat. Post was insanely good as were the incredible RHCP. Crowd was so into the whole show which lifted the mood to another level,” one attendee posted to Facebook in response to Accor Stadium.

“Best. Show. Ever!! Don’t know why everyone was complaining, Saturday night show was so good!!!!” wrote another.

“I was there Thursday. I liked the show but definitely missed the lack of the old classics I grew up with. Glad they did a few more, sounds like they listened to the reviews,” praised a third, who attended both nights.

But many said supporting act Post Malone stole the show. Picture: Facebook / Accor Stadium

Red Hot Chili Peppers fans span generations, which many pointed out was clearly evident looking around the packed stadium each night.

A surprise star also emerged, with a cohort of attendees describing themselves as new fans of supporting act Post Malone.

“What a performer, Post Malone,” one fan wrote alongside a video of the 27-year-old rapper.

“Love him... He was amazing. Hopefully he comes back and has his own show,” another said.

“Don’t miss Post Malone, he was awesome,” wrote a third, garnering the response: “I’ve never heard him before and he certainly has a new fan. He was bloody brilliant.”

RHCP February 4 set list:

Intro Jam (2014)

Around the World (1999)

Dani California (2006)

Scar Tissue (1999)

Aquatic Mouth Dance (2022)

Otherside (1999)

The Drummer (2022)

Tippa My Tongue (2022)

Right on Time (with “London Calling” tease) (1999)

Eddie (2022)

I Could Have Lied (1991)