Bad Religion -- Washington, DC -- March 24th, 2012

[Blackened12]

So I went to the Reason Rally in D.C. a little under a week ago and saw the almighty Bad Religion. This wasn't really a concert but they played a full set so I think this deserves a thread.

The rally itself was great if you're into the whole athiest, agnostic, humanist thing (which I am). Seeing Richard Dawkins and Eddie Izzard were highlights but Bad Religion stole the show with a full set, which I was totally not expecting. They got a great crowd reaction as well as the punk community had a great representation. It's not every day you see moshing and crowd surfing at a rally. It also rained lightly pretty much all day and the fact that there were about 20,000 people there throughout the event I think is a testament to the growth and dedication of the whole secular movement. Or maybe that's just me. I dunno.

Anyway here's the setlist from setlist.fm:

Main Set
1. The Resist Stance
2. 21st Century (Digital Boy)
3. New Dark Ages
4. Social Suicide
5. Flat Earth Society (First time live since 19 November 2010)
6. Before You Die
7. Let Them Eat War
8. The Answer (First time live since 13 June 2010)
9. Beyond Electric Dreams (First time live since 16 November 2004)
10. God Song (First time live since 14 November 2007)
11. Generator
12. Los Angeles Is Burning
13. Do What You Want
14. Wrong Way Kids
15. Come Join Us
16. Infected
17. Sorrow

Despite some sound problems they sounded great and were very energetic. Greg even spoke afterwards like all of the other speakers did. I had no idea he had a doctorate and was a college professor.

Question: If this event happened next year, what band do you think would be a good choice to play?

[christopher]

Cool! You got a set from a show that isn't happening for another two months haha. I love Bad Religion but I wouldn't be happy with that set. Anything less that 27 songs doesn't do them justice. I'm glad I got to see the 30 years of Bad Religion tour where they did 30 songs a night in 2010

[Blackened12]

God dammit, stupid "M" months lol.

[BloodoftheKings]

Originally Posted by Blackened12

Question: If this event happened next year, what band do you think would be a good choice to play?

DEICIDE

Just kidding. I might want to make an effort to head down if they have another reason rally next year. Especially if they get another great musical act.

[Blackened12]

Originally Posted by BloodoftheKings

DEICIDE

I was joking with my friends about that while we were there lol. But yeah man you should. If you're like me and you live in a reasonably conservative area than it's a really empowering experience to be around so many people that think the same way.

[BloodoftheKings]

Originally Posted by Blackened12

I was joking with my friends about that while we were there lol. But yeah man you should. If you're like me and you live in a reasonably conservative area than it's a really empowering experience to be around so many people that think the same way.

I live on Long Island, conservatives are a rare breed around here. Still sounds like a blast though.

[Blackened12]

For anybody that's interested I have videos of Eddie Izzard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD-GWQbWnVI

Richard Dawkins (reading his book the 'The God Delusion' right now by the way, great read):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9UKTuuTHEg

and Tim Minchin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QtJluQwJHw

[Dogman]

Great review! I wanted to go to this but found out about it at the last minute and already had plans in Atlantic City. But I will go next year for sure. I'd like to see some metal bands with atheist members play this but I'm not sure how the crowd would dig it.

[Blackened12]

Originally Posted by Dogman

Great review! I wanted to go to this but found out about it at the last minute and already had plans in Atlantic City. But I will go next year for sure. I'd like to see some metal bands with atheist members play this but I'm not sure how the crowd would dig it.

Thanks! And yeah the trick would be finding a band that's popular, accessible, and that still have that message. Not many come to mind really lol