The Stone Temple Pilots show at Rapids theater on Wednesday 9.11.19 was absolutely another milestone for this area and building. With their 25th anniversary celebration of “Purple” these guys are still putting out great music and a hell of a show. There are a lot of diehard fans in this area of this band not to mention a local band named “Tiny Music” that is very well known for playing STP hits. Their sound and love of the band shows through their music and the respect to them in their live shows. Go find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinymusicband The crowd was filled with STP t-shirts from the moment you walked in. Also a wide variety of people from a range of older fans to younger ones not missing a beat. Rapids theater has an amazing intimate atmosphere all in itself so to have this band at this venue was an absolute treat and a lucky experience. After the throng of people that once lined the outside of the building were now packed inside, the show was ready to start.
The crowd was full and loud the moment the lights turned dark and the house music shut off. Members gathered to their instruments and the roar didn’t stop from that moment until end of show. Opening with “Down” “Vasoline” and “Wicked Garden” even if you didn’t know STP you knew them from these absolutely timeless classics. Front man Jeff Gutt was an energetic & engaging madman just clearly giving his all in every song and I feel still capturing the truly iconic sound of this band. From jumping into the crowd and always fully engaging, channeling Weiland with the dark glasses and grungy, crackly voice, Jeff is justifiably a great asset to STP. New hits also on the setlist like “Meadow” and heavy hitter “Roll Me Over” really enjoyed by the crowd and keeping us looking forward to new STP music in the future. The three long time members Robert and Dean DeLeo as well as drummer Eric Kretz were very engaging and still giving us their talents on guitar and back up vocals after all these years. It was truly awesome to see theses guys perform live and not just hearing them on a digital copy. “Interstate Love Song” and “Plush” were just on point with the gritty guitar riffs and heavy predominate drum beats it was unquestionably great to hear live and so empowering hearing the crowd sing right back. These songs really bring in such good feelings of the 90’s, a time personally missed that just harbored such good music.
The encores of the night included ” Piece of Pie” and “Sex Type Thing” which just couldn’t wrap up the night any better. Every one that went I have heard nothing but positive remarks and get enthusiastic just recollecting. It feels like every show is a celebration of this band and the front man of times before; RIP Scott Weiland. Whether you were a longtime fan or just knew you liked some of their singles you were fully entertained both musically and visually. The lights were colorful and lit up Rapids beautiful ceiling even more ornately. We were very lucky to get Stone Temple Pilots at Rapids theater and I truly hope they consider coming back around these parts again.
Photos & Review: Jessica Gresham
