‘Never again’: Longtime fans hit out at Red Hot Chili Peppers over Sydney set list

Longtime fans of the Red Hot Chili Peppers have taken issue with the band’s Sydney set list, posting scathing reviews on social media.

Chantelle Francis

2 min read

February 3, 2023 - 1:36PM

The set list from the Sydney show. Pictures: @chilipeppers/Instagram

Music

Don't miss out on the headlines from Music. Followed categories will be added to My News.

Longtime fans have accused the Red Hot Chili Peppers of an underwhelming Sydney concert with not enough hits, and some have even claimed they will never see them perform again.

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 night as part of their 2023 Australian tour with Post Malone.

It has been more than two decades since Red Hot Chili Peppers’ huge success with 1999 album Californication and 2002 album By the Way, but the band’s latest two albums, Unlimited Love and Return of the Dream Canteen, only dropped last year.

Their fans expand generations, which many have pointed out was clearly evident when looking around the packed stadium on Thursday night.

But that has not been the only talking point. The band has come under fire for its set list, with some fans taking to social media with scathing reviews.

Red Hot Chili Peppers co-founders Flea and Anthony Kiedis on stage in Sydney on Thursday night. Picture: Jonathan Ng / The Daily Telegraph

Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith on stage. Picture: Jonathan Ng / The Daily Telegraph

“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.

“Well that was disappointing, definitely won’t be seeing them again!!!” declared another fan.

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

“Been their biggest fan all my life and after that concert would never go again. Played a few old songs but mostly new rubbish that no one knows,” someone else agreed.

The set list from the Sydney show. Pictures: @chilipeppers/Instagram

“Maybe for the people on Saturday you could play some of the songs we paid to come and see … very disappointing,” suggested another.

“They sounded good but was disappointed in the complete lack of interaction and engagement with the audience and also not playing a number of songs I expected,” wrote one fan who said the concert had been on her bucket list.

One fan relieved to find others felt the same way said: “I’m glad we are not the only disappointed people. Set was pretty ordinary.”

“Very ordinary,” added another.

Longtime fans have criticised the band’s set list. Picture: Jonathan Ng / The Daily Telegraph

Fans who came to the band’s defence questioned why those complaining hadn’t listened to their new music.

“Of course they’re gonna play new stuff when they released two new albums last year,” one wrote.

“They were touring their new album, it’s not a greatest hits tour,” said another.

One fan wrote: “It was the greatest concert I’ve ever been to.”

The crowd at the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ first concert at Accor Stadium on Thursday. Picture: Jonathan Ng

According to a set list uploaded by setlist.fm, a website which tracks the songs artists play at concerts and festivals, Red Hot Chili Peppers played 18 of their own songs in Sydney on Thursday night, seven of which were released last year.

RHCP February 2 set list:

Intro Jam

Can’t Stop (2002)

The Zephyr Song (2002)

Here Ever After (2022)

Snow (Hey Oh) (2006)

Eddie (2022)

Throw Away Your Television (2002)

Reach Out (2022)

Soul to Squeeze (1993)

Nobody Weird Like Me (1989)

These Are the Ways (2022)