On Friday, Red Hot Chili Peppers joined the short list of musical acts to perform in the shadows of the ancient Pyramids in Giza, Egypt.
In the theme of the evening’s historic show, guitarist Josh Klinghoffer emerged onstage to open up the encore with a a solo piano rendition of Radiohead‘s “Pyramid Song” before his bandmates rejoined to close out the show with “Goodbye Angels” and “Give It Away”.
It’s important to note that RHCP and Radiohead worlds have collided in the past. In 2013, Radiohead’s Thom Yorke formed a supergroup—Atoms For Peace—which included Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bassist Flea, Beck drummer Joey Waronker, and Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, who is also a member of Yorke’s touring band. Yorke’s December performance at Los Angeles, CA’s Orpheum Theatre presented the perfect opportunity to reunite the short-lived all-star band. After teasing the possible reunion midway through his set with the tune “Amok”, Yorke invited Flea and Waronker to assist on the second song of his encore, “Atoms For Peace”.
Prior to Friday’s show, Flea shared his thoughts on the gig. He explained,
Before each new place my body tingled with excitement, a yearning for a new mystery to unfold, a fascination with a new culture, the possibility of new friends, tasting new food, smelling new tastes, absorbing new rhythms. Learning. Learning. Learning. It is happening again right now, my heart is abuzz with joy at the prospect of performing in Egypt. I’m so grateful and humbled for the impending experience.
Check out Red Hot Chili Peppers’ cover of “Pyramid Song” at the 2:00:00-mark of the video below:
[Video: Red Hot Chili Peppers]
For a full list of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ upcoming tour dates and ticketing information, head to the band’s website.
Setlist: Red Hot Chili Peppers | The Pyramids | Giza, Egypt | 3/15/2019
Set: Intro Jam, Can’t Stop, Fortune Faded, The Zephyr Song, Dani California, Dark Necessities, Hey, I Wanna Be Your Dog, Right on Time, Snow ((Hey Oh)), Pea, Californication, Go Robot, Don’t Forget Me, Higher Ground, Under the Bridge, By the Way
Encore: Pyramid Song, Goodbye Angels, Give It Away
[H/T Rolling Stone]