Post 2: Seeing Foo Fighters at the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix

It’s been exactly two weeks since I went to the Singapore Grand Prix to see my favorite band of all time, Foo Fighters, for the second time. More things have happened since; my body has just recovered from all the muscle pain and coughing, and I’m still going through post-concert depression. Writing about the experience now might or might not get rid of the latter, but either way, I will tell the story of the happiest point of my life by far.

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Before we proceed, a few notes:

The following videos in this post were not recorded by me. I wrote credit to the owner after each video. Some of the videos are not full recordings. And sadly, I can’t find videos for the following songs: “No Son of Mine”, “Shame Shame” (what a shame), and “Best of You” (extra shame).

I have my own video recordings (not full recordings except for “Everlong”), but I don’t want to share them all because I don’t want you to hear my off-key singing and screaming. I wish I could sing and scream well, but I don’t.

As for the photos, most of them were a bit blurred. But then again, I did go to a rock concert after all. Still, I’m sorry. I’ll do better next time.

And the final note: This essay has exactly 4,000 words. (You just read 223 words before this sentence.) Brace yourselves!

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Pre-Show

(Not interested in reading the pre-show? Skip to the show here.)

After an hour of roaming around Singapore Grand Prix’s Zone 4 walkabout while wearing all black and in waterproof boots in the Singapore heat, I looked at the Padang Stage from afar at 4pm, and I saw a few people near the barricade. Right away, I refilled my water bottle, I went straight to the barricade, and I waited there. As much as I love my first-ever Foos show (which also happened in Singapore in 2017), I was on the benches, and I promised myself that on my second Foos show, I would be near the stage. And I did just that. At 4pm. In the Singapore heat. (It was so hot, but if getting a few shades darker will make me see my favorite band near the stage, I don’t care. I will take it.)

A lot has already happened during the six hours of waiting. Notably:

• Surprisingly, I found a new friend at the barricade! He is Leonard, a rock/metal musician from India. We secured our spots there, so whenever one of us needs to grab a bite or refill our water bottles, the other will stay put.
• I had data roaming issues, so I couldn’t update my family until after the show.
• One of the songs played during the wait for the Foo Fighters show is a P-Pop hit, “Salamin, Salamin” by BINI, and I believe I was the only one singing to it near the barricade. (Then I imagined BINI opening for Foo Fighters. Weird, I know.)
• Before the Foo Fighters played, a Norwegian DJ named Alan Walker performed. He delivered an excellent EDM set paired with spectacular pyrotechnics, even if I didn’t know his songs at all.

The Show

Minutes after the F1 Singapore Grand Prix qualifying race, at 10:15pm (5 minutes early), the stage’s lights turned blue, and we all heard that guitar shredding. When Dave Grohl ran to the stage and ferociously played his white Gibson DG-335 guitar, while Chris Shiflett (lead guitarist), Rami Jaffee (keyboardist), Ilan Rubin (the new drummer who played for Nine Inch Nails), Nate Mendel (bassist), and Pat Smear (guitarist) manned their battle stations, we all went nuts. They haven’t played their first song, but I was already letting out a primal scream. And when Dave let out his own primal scream while shredding his guitar, these were his first words on the show:

We’re the Foo Fighters, we play rock and roll! How about that?!

That was the signal. It’s time for me to let out all of my frustrations that have been bottled inside of me since my first Foos show in 2017. (And boy, I had a lot of frustrations. No, scratch that: I have.)

Before the show, I psyched myself up with a Foo Fighters playlist that was based on the band’s recent setlists (from their House of Blues show in Anaheim, California last September 6 to the Jakarta, Indonesia show that just happened last October 2). So, I was prepared to headbang first to either “Enough Space” or “All My Life”, two perfect openers to a Foos show.

And they opened with…

1. Enough Space

“Enough Space” is the ninth song from the band’s second (and most important) studio album, The Colour and the Shape. The first few notes and seconds of it can make everyone bounce, and we all did. I was recording the moment at first, but then I started shaking the camera, screaming, and jumping like crazy as if I had won the lottery.

But there never seems to be
Enough space!
Space! Space!
Space!

And I did feel like I had won the lottery. I was near the stage, and I was seeing my favorite band of all time perform at 141 2/3 %. (I love Scott Steiner references.)

(Thanks to Travel the World for the “Enough Space” live video.)

2. All My Life

After everyone bounced from “Enough Space”, the band played the second song I was expecting them to play first, “All My Life”. It’s the first single from their fourth studio album, One by One.

I quote Dave Grohl’s eloquent comment about the song on a TIME Magazine interview (2009), “When I begin the intro, the ‘chugchug-chugchugchug-chugchugchug’, people go ape shit.” And ape shit, we went! I was headbanging like it was my last headbang on earth, and I was destroying my voice when I screamed:

Done, done, onto the next one!
Done, I’m done, and I’m onto the next one!
Done, done, onto the next one!
Done, I’m done, and I’m onto the next!

(Thanks to Travel the World for the “All My Life” live video.)

3. Rope

Then they move on to the next one, “Rope”. It was the first single from the first Foo Fighters album I waited to come out on release day, the seventh studio album Wasting Light. That waiting period and finally listening to the record is one of my fondest memories of college, so singing these lines felt great:

Give me some rope, I’m coming loose
I’m hanging on you

If the college version of me were to learn that he’ll see the Foo Fighters twice (2017 and 2025), he’d freak out and get motivated to work harder for his dreams.

(Thanks to Grunge Queen for the “Rope” live video.)

4. The Pretender

After “Rope”, they finally played my favorite song of all time! It’s “The Pretender”, one of the band’s best songs ever, and the first single from their sixth studio album (and the first album from them that I listened to from start to finish), Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace.

At that point, I was so grateful to be there, seeing my favorite band play my favorite song and my main alarm clock tune. This is why I’m alive. At the same time, I was so hyped when I screamed these:

What if I say I’m not like the others?
What if I say I’m not just another one of your plays?
You’re the pretender
What if I say I will never surrender?

(Thanks to Travel the World for the “The Pretender” live video.)

5. Times Like These

After “The Pretender”, now it’s time for “Times Like These”, the second single from One by One. This song was recorded during a time when the band was uncertain if they could continue, but they powered through, and now they are one of the greatest rock bands on the planet (and ever). This is a song that truly inspires and truly keeps us moving forward.

It’s times like these you learn to live again
It’s times like these you give and give again
It’s times like these you learn to love again
It’s times like these, time and time again

(Thanks to Grunge Queen for the “Times Like These” live video.)

6. Stacked Actors

Then they played one of my favorite heavy songs of theirs, “Stacked Actors”. It’s the first song from their third album, There Is Nothing Left to Lose, and whether I was familiar with their recent setlists or not, after I watched so many Foo live videos over the years, I knew they would play the song when Dave Grohl was handed his Gibson Firebird guitar.

And these lines? Goosebumps.

Stack dead actors, stacked to the rafters
Line up the bastards, all I want is the truth

(Thanks to Megs S for the “Stacked Actors” live video.)

7. La Dee Da

After “Stacked Actors”, they played the fifth song from their ninth studio album, Concrete and Gold. I have to admit that hearing the album at first sounds so weird, but that’s one of the things I love about the Foo Fighters: they’re not afraid to experiment. And that made me love Concrete and Gold and “La Dee Da” eventually.

You don’t own this, la dee da
You don’t own this, how bizarre
Keep your pretty promise to yourself

(Thanks to Natralally for the “La Dee Da” live video.)

8. These Days

After “La Dee Da”, it’s time to slow things down for a while. Dave Grohl started playing the first mellow seconds of “These Days”, the fifth single from Wasting Light. I repeat Wasting Light is one of my fondest things during college. “These Days” is one of their simplest yet intense songs, and sometimes you don’t need intricate lyrics and melodies to deliver a powerful song.

And when they finally reached the explosive chorus? It’s so relieving to scream:

Easy for you to say!
Your heart has never been broken!
Your pride has never been stolen!
Not yet, not yet!
One of these days,
I bet your heart will be broken!
I bet your pride will be stolen!
I bet, I bet, I bet, I bet!
One of these days,
one of these days

(Thanks to Sonus Lazuli for the “These Days” live video.)

9. Walk

After “These Days”, I had a feeling that the next song would make me cry… and I was right. It’s “Walk”, the last song and third single from Wasting Light, and the definitive Foo Fighters song I listen to when I need catharsis.

(Thanks to Meg S for the “Walk” live video.)

It felt so good to cry and be angry in a matter of seconds as I screamed the chorus and the bridge, most especially this line (that is also featured on my social media accounts’ bio):

To keep alive, a moment at a time

That’s one of my top favorite moments of the show, and when the band paused for a few seconds after performing the bridge, I said to myself, “I’m really glad I kept myself alive after my first Foo Fighters show in 2017.” A lot has happened since that show: I went through the worst mental health crisis of my life, I changed careers out of necessity, I lost many important people in my life, and most importantly, I almost lost myself. But all throughout, I kept myself alive, a moment at a time, and I’m glad I finally got to cryingly and angrily sing “Walk” with my favorite band just inches away from me.

10. My Hero

After they played “Walk” and Dave Grohl introduced the full band (including the newest member, Ilan Rubin), it was time to celebrate the band’s heroics. They are my real-life superheroes who saved my life so many times over the years, so it was fitting that the next song they played was a mellow-then-intense version of one of their all-time classics, “My Hero.” It’s the seventh song and third single from The Colour and the Shape.

In one of my favorite moments of the show, all of us sang along to these lines with the band, and it was so glorious.

There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He’s ordinary

(Thanks to Travel the World for the “My Hero” live video.)

11. Learn to Fly

From one classic to another, they played “Learn to Fly”, the first single of the band’s third studio album There Is Nothing Left to Lose, and the favorite Foo Fighters song of my kuya (Tagalog for older brother). My kuya was already impressed when he saw the video of them performing at Wembley Stadium in 2008, so what more if he sees them live?

Also, “Learn to Fly” is a special song for me because it’s my constant theme song during flights. Even if I don’t listen to it on my phone, I always hear it at airports or before takeoff (whether I go somewhere local or foreign).

Make my way back home when I learn to fly high

(Thanks to Travel the World for the “Learn to Fly” live video.)

12. This is a Call

After “Learn to Fly”, the band played the first song and single from the Foo Fighters’ self-titled debut album, “This is a Call”. According to Dave Grohl, the chorus is “just sort of like a little wave to all the people I ever played music with, people I’ve been friends with, all my relationships, my family. It’s a hello, and in a way, a thank you.” And in a way, while I was singing along, I was also saying hello and thanks to all the people I have ever met and loved.

This is a call to all my past resignations
This is a call to all

(Thanks to Sonus Lazuli for the “This is a Call” live video.)

13. No Son of Mine

From performing the first-ever Foo Fighters single, they pulled out the sixth song from their tenth studio album, Medicine at Midnight: “No Son of Mine”. My neck is a bit sore at that point, so I settled for just dancing in my spot while Dave Grohl screams:

Here we are, the living dead
Hand to God with one foot in the grave
Age of lost innocence
Don’t forget what your good book says

Then, in the middle of the song, they played Motörhead’s best song, “Ace of Spades”, as a tribute to the late and legendary Lemmy! Leonard and I recognized the song instantly, so we screamed these lines as I headbanged some more (even if it hurts):

I don’t share your greed
The only card I need
Is the ace of spades!
The ace of spades!

14. Shame Shame

After all that rocking, my body needed a short break. Then the Foo Fighters pulled out the second song from Medicine at Midnight, “Shame Shame”, a perfect song to sway to slowly. Dave Grohl said he wanted to channel his inner Prince through this song, and I think at that moment, the late and legendary Purple One was looking from the heavens and said, “Good enough.”

Another splinter under the skin
Another season of loneliness
I found a reason and buried it
Beneath a mountain of emptiness

15. Big Me

After “Shame Shame”, they played the fourth single from their self-titled debut album, “Big Me”. Dave Grohl said this before playing: “It’s maybe the dumbest song we’ve ever written, but I still love to play it.” And I learned later that it’s not part of the setlist, but they played it anyway. I’m glad they played it because I love it so much! (And I’m also glad no one threw a Mentos at them.)

Well, I talked about it, carried on
Reasons only knew
But it’s you
I fell into

(Thanks to Grunge Queen for the “Big Me” live video.)

16. Monkey Wrench

Now, it’s time to let loose once again with “Monkey Wrench”, the second song and first single from The Colour and the Shape, and one of their most enduring anthems. It’s a song about accepting that you’re a problem in the relationship, and you have to let go for both of your sakes. I can relate.

Don’t wanna be your monkey wrench
One more indecent accident
I’d rather leave than suffer this
I’ll never be your monkey wrench

(Thanks to Travel the World for the “Monkey Wrench” live video.)

17. Aurora

Then they played one of their best love songs, “Aurora”. It’s the sixth song from There Is Nothing Left to Lose, and its melody and lyrics are just breathtakingly mellow. I can’t help but sigh at these lines:

I just kinda died for you
You just kinda stared at me
We will always have that chance
We can do this one more time

(Thanks to Grunge Queen for the “Aurora” live video.)

And near the end of the song, the main stage screen features Taylor Hawkins’ logo. What a lovely tribute to Taylor. To the Hawk, we love you so much, and we miss you so much.

18. Best of You

After “Aurora”, they played the first single from their fifth studio album, In Your Honor, “Best of You.” Like “Walk”, “Best of You” is one of the band’s most cathartic songs. I can truly cry and let go whenever I hear and sing along to it.

Unfortunately, I can’t find a decent YouTube video of this performance, but if you’ve ever been to a Foo Fighters concert or seen a video of them performing “Best of You”, not singing along to this song is impossible. The “oh-ohoh” part of the song is just infectious.

Is someone getting the best
the best, the best, the best of you?

19. Exhausted

After “Best of You”, it’s almost two hours in, and my mind and spirit are still on full energy. But frankly, the title of the next song fits my body’s state at that point: “Exhausted”. Ang tanda mo na talaga, Ian! (You’re really old, Ian!) Thankfully, there are people near the stage serving either cups of water or cartons of sparkling water. My body needs some water, so I gulped as much as I could.

And also, thankfully, “Exhausted” (the last and longest song from the band’s self-titled debut album) is one of their steady yet heavy songs, so I didn’t need to headbang like crazy. I just bobbed my head along to the song… and I loved it.

I’m not around that much
Runnin’ exhausted and lost

(Thanks to Meg S for the “Exhausted” live video.)

20. Everlong

It’s almost 12:20am, and the band closed the show with their second single from The Colour of the Shape, their band’s signature song, and (in my opinion) one of the best love songs ever written, “Everlong”. At this point, my body is energized once again because of the water I had earlier, but my voice already hurts. Still, I want to sing my heart out one more time, and Dave Grohl encouraged everyone to dance one more time.

And when the first few chords of “Everlong” were played, everyone started to give their all one more time.

(Thanks to Travel the World for the “Everlong” live video.)

Throughout the show, I’d record the important parts of each song (well, the parts that I feel are important), but with “Everlong”, I recorded the entire performance. Why? Because I really want to capture the last few minutes of the happiest point of my life by far. The chorus’s first lines say it perfectly:

If everything could ever feel this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again

I was multi-tasking at that point: recording, singing along, and my mind was repeating those two lines: “If everything could ever feel this real forever. If anything could ever be this good again.” And I just knew, everyone on that show was thinking and feeling the same.

After Dave Grohl sang the last line, after the last thunderous blast of instrumentals, the show ended at exactly 12:15am. (Well, according to my watch anyway.)

Post-Show

After dancing, headbanging, and letting out all eight years of frustration for two hours, the happiest point in my life neared its end, and I was about to shed tears of joy. But after the band played the last note of that night, Dave Grohl went near my angle, and danced there like there was a disco party… without disco music.

And there I took my favorite photo of all time. Maybe it’s more of a spontaneous, goofy moment for Dave Grohl, but I’d like to think that he wanted me to go home happy with no tears, so he danced like that. Then he went back to the middle of the stage with the band, and they closed the show with a bow.

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Conclusion

It’s been exactly two weeks since I saw the Foo Fighters for the second time, and I still can’t get over how great the show was. Even if I finally put words to the happiest experience, I don’t think I will get over it for a long time. (People who know me very well know this fact very well.)

To my family, thank you for supporting me in this wonderful experience. And to my mom, you didn’t have to join me during the Singapore trip, but you wanted to. Thank you, Mom. Thank you, my beloved family. I feel all your love through your support, and I love you all so much.

To Tito Don, thank you so much for being an amazing host. Thank you for your amazing hospitality for being our guide through the streets of Singapore. And after all these years, you never lost that funny side of yours. Thank you. I love you, tito.

To Leonard from India, meeting you was one of the highlights of my Singapore trip and my second (and best) Foo Fighters show. Singing along with you when the band played a snippet of Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades” is wonderful. I’m glad I met you, and thank you for securing our spots near the barricade. I hope to see you again soon, my new friend!

To F1 and the Singapore Grand Prix, thank you for making the Foo Fighters show happen, rain or shine. (I’m glad I didn’t rain though, even if I was prepared for it – boots and all.)

But Foo Fighters, come on. Please come back to the Philippines. Your last show here was on January 20, 1996, and you all just started touring. Many things have happened since then (all lineup changes, the released albums, etc.), and you haven’t returned. Please come back to the Philippines. We’ve been waiting here for you, everlong!

Oh, and I also made a reel of my second Foo Fighters show experience on Instagram. (This is my first Instagram reel ever!) It’s too long for Instagram Reel standards since the running time is 6 minutes and 6 seconds (a nod to the band’s headquarters, Studio 606), but please watch it (and give a like if you have an account there). Thank you!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ian Pasicolan (@ianpasicolan)

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Updated October 28, 2025.