If you need proof that the world is reopening, look no further than Madison Square Garden's rocking return to normal. Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters took the stage for the first full capacity show in MSG since the coronavirus locked us all indoors and forced social distancing. In the end, more than 15,000 fans crammed into the storied arena for the major event.
The event saw eager concert-goers lined up hours before, clad in Foo Fighter merch, and ready to see the stars up close and in-person.
Witnessing the return to form for one of the most famous arenas on Earth was something that many in attendance described as "surreal". Those attending could rest assured that everyone inside had provided COVID-19 vaccination proof and that, in and of itself, caused a slightly larger crowd to grow. Anti-vaxx protesters marched out front, a continuation of their earlier protest outside of the Fighters' warm up show in California.
There was an abundance of songs performed in the three hour set with the highlight for many being Dave Chappelle - yes, Dave Chapelle - joining the Foo Fighters on stage for a rendition of "Creep." Yeah. If MSG's packed house felt like a return to normal, that sentence was anything but. The strange combination was enough to make this historic show even more unforgettable.
Madison Square Garden revenue dipped harshly during the past year. Across the board, the overall limitations of the venue lead to some major hits. The New York Knicks, the New York Rangers, and other sporting entertainment reported losses totally $41.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. That number is night and day compared to a year earlier, when profits totaled $92.3 million.
Dollars and cents may be a major issue for the arena, but for fans, parting with their money is more than welcome given how long they've been chomping at the bit to get back into the swing of things.
“It has been a long time now, between the lockdowns and everything else, so it’s just going to be exciting … 18,000, 19,000 people here celebrating,” concert-goer Scott Cronin told CBS New York.
Going forward, some events are still off the agenda for the iconic Garden, including Jojo Siwa, whose July 30th concert is listed as "cancelled". However, the Eagles are soaring back into the Big Apple in August with two shows still being advertised with tickets available.
As goes New York, so goes the world. For those rocking out to their favorite hits live and in person and those collecting ticket money for the first time in over year, the worst finally feels behind us.
Sources: CBS New York, MSG, Variety, Market Watch