Print-friendly Version
Review: Limp Bizkit At The State Theatre, Detroit
DETROIT--Being a fan of Fred Durst is kind of like being in a dysfunctional relationship. Durst, the lead singer of Limp Bizkit , pummeled his fans with "motherf*****s," but the capacity crowd at the State Theatre on Tuesday (7/11) kept begging for more.
The Tuesday night show marked the kick-off of Limp Bizkit and Cypress Hill ’s Napster-sponsored tour. Although music industry analysts predicted a near riotous scenario because of the free, “first-come, first-serve” ticket distribution policy, the show was no more fervent than an average rock show. Wristbands were handed out earlier in the day, and the line that wrapped around the building to go through security later that night went quickly.
Verne Troyer, who played “Mini-Me” in “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me,” introduced the band. Detroit band Broadzilla opened the show, followed by Cypress Hill, which was scheduled to play its entire double-album, but a time crunch put a lid on that plan.
Durst lived up to his reputation as a showman. He climbed on the fence and lead the crowd in a chorus of expletives. Fans body-surfed up to the aluminum chain link fence that separated the crowd from the band, trying to touch Durst through the gate. He egged on the audience, sticking his mike through the fence for a few sing-alongs and encouraging fans to jump on stage. At one point, when several bouncers yanked fans off the fence, Durst cursed at them, berating them for interrupting his show.
During “Break Stuff” he shook his head violently as he scooted his way across the stage. Pyros accompanied several of the hits, while enough confetti was shot through the air during “Jump Around” and the closing number “Nookie” to make the State look like the set to a twisted version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”
The 15-song set was peppered with a handful of new songs and covers, including Metallica’s “Master of Puppets,” Ministry’s “Thieves” and House of Pain’s “Jump Around." (Limp Bizkit member DJ Lethal is a former member of House of Pain.)
Closing the show at 11:30pm, Durst seemed genuinely impressed with the enthusiasm of the crowd.
“Sweet God to heaven, do I ever love you to f******g death,” he said as he closed the show.
