Tom Morello's latest performance at the Vic Theatre in Chicago was a testament to his enduring legacy as a protest musician. The setlist, which featured a mix of Rage Against the Machine classics, Nightwatchman solo tracks and covers of Woody Guthrie and John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band songs, was a sonic call to action against injustice and fascism.
As Morello took the stage, he was met with a wall of cheers from the crowd, many of whom were wearing red "Make America Rage Again" caps and jackets with "Destroy Fascism" patches. The energy was palpable as Morello and his band launched into a blistering rendition of "Testify / Take the Power Back / Freedom," a song that has long been a rallying cry for social justice movements.
Throughout the set, Morello's music served as a soundtrack for resistance, with songs like "Snakecharmer" and "The War Inside" bringing the house down. The Nightwatchman solo tracks, such as "One Man Revolution" and "It Begins Tonight," showcased Morello's mastery of the guitar, while his cover of Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land" was a poignant reminder of the power of music to bring people together.
The setlist also included several special guest appearances, including childhood friend and musician Ike Reilly, who joined Morello for a rousing rendition of "This Land Is Your Land." Other guests included Tim McIlrath from Rise Against, Jakeim Hart and Billy Rude from Tom Morello's new musical "Revolution(s)," and even a surprise appearance by the late Chris Cornell's bandmate in Audioslave.
One of the highlights of the set was Morello's cover of John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band's "Power to the People," which brought together all of the special guests on stage for a rousing anthem. The song was followed by KISS' "Rock and Roll All Nite," which was performed with the entire audience singing along.
As the set came to a close, Morello took a moment to address the crowd, saying "Are we in this together, people?" before urging them to "go out and kick ass for freedom and justice." The message was clear: Tom Morello's music is not just entertainment, but a call to action for those who believe in fighting against injustice and inequality.
Overall, Tom Morello's performance at the Vic Theatre was a testament to his enduring legacy as a protest musician. His music continues to inspire and motivate people to take action, and his commitment to using his platform to speak out against injustice is an inspiration to us all.
As Morello took the stage, he was met with a wall of cheers from the crowd, many of whom were wearing red "Make America Rage Again" caps and jackets with "Destroy Fascism" patches. The energy was palpable as Morello and his band launched into a blistering rendition of "Testify / Take the Power Back / Freedom," a song that has long been a rallying cry for social justice movements.
Throughout the set, Morello's music served as a soundtrack for resistance, with songs like "Snakecharmer" and "The War Inside" bringing the house down. The Nightwatchman solo tracks, such as "One Man Revolution" and "It Begins Tonight," showcased Morello's mastery of the guitar, while his cover of Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land" was a poignant reminder of the power of music to bring people together.
The setlist also included several special guest appearances, including childhood friend and musician Ike Reilly, who joined Morello for a rousing rendition of "This Land Is Your Land." Other guests included Tim McIlrath from Rise Against, Jakeim Hart and Billy Rude from Tom Morello's new musical "Revolution(s)," and even a surprise appearance by the late Chris Cornell's bandmate in Audioslave.
One of the highlights of the set was Morello's cover of John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band's "Power to the People," which brought together all of the special guests on stage for a rousing anthem. The song was followed by KISS' "Rock and Roll All Nite," which was performed with the entire audience singing along.
As the set came to a close, Morello took a moment to address the crowd, saying "Are we in this together, people?" before urging them to "go out and kick ass for freedom and justice." The message was clear: Tom Morello's music is not just entertainment, but a call to action for those who believe in fighting against injustice and inequality.
Overall, Tom Morello's performance at the Vic Theatre was a testament to his enduring legacy as a protest musician. His music continues to inspire and motivate people to take action, and his commitment to using his platform to speak out against injustice is an inspiration to us all.