NFL kickoff show falls short at Gillette (Kanye West LOUDLY Booed)

Boston Globe ^ | September 9, 2005 | Steve Morse

[schaketo]

FOXBOROUGH -- Green Day played a long set when it headlined in front of 40,000-plus fans at Gillette Stadium last Saturday. Last night, the group did just one song and it was a safe choice: ''Boulevard of Broken Dreams," though it wasn't perhaps the most cheerful track to spice a pre-game show featuring the unveiling of another championship banner for the New England Patriots.

It also was curious to see Green Day wedged into a small, hideaway end-zone stage (Elton John was put on the same stage at last year's pre-game show but at least was allowed to do two songs). Which, of course, raises the question: What are the politics of these pre-game shows all about? Why did Santana get to perform two songs last night from a flashily lit, midfield stage where everyone could see the band -- with cheerleaders drumming up excitement all around them -- while Green Day was shunted into a lonely balcony in back of an end zone? . . .

[Wolfie]

I really wanted to see some pro ball last night, but I wasn't sitting through that crap to get to it.

[rhombus]

Yet it was disconcerting to hear his name booed loudly by Patriots fans who evidently didn't appreciate his nationally televised comment the other night on a Hurricane Katrina benefit that President Bush ''doesn't care about black people." The boos were thunderous and lasted for much of his number.

I didn't find it "disconcerting" at all. I hoped the booing said, Hey, we're not all idiots in New England.

[FearlessFreep]

They should have pelted him with rocks and garbage.

[Warren_Piece]

Good to see the folks in Boston have common sense.

Nashville star Trisha Yearwood ended the hour by singing the national anthem but the performance was marred by fireworks shot off during the line ''and the rockets' red glare."

Here IN Nashville, they've done this right from the beginning at Titans games. They shoot off VERY QUIET streaming fireworks during that line, and same the loud ones for team introductions and when the team scores a tough down.

[Lou L]

What about that Kayne West guy...I missed his act. Just how LOUDLY was he booed?

[flair2000]

I'm sick of all this pop-culturization of football. Heck, football was one of the few escapes from that garbage.

[Fierce Allegiance]

YEah, see, everyone, not all of us New Englanders are liberal scum!

[dfwgator]

Bring back "Up With People!"

[theDentist]

Why did Santana get to perform two songs last night from a flashily lit, midfield stage... while Green Day was shunted into a lonely balcony in back of an end zone?"

Ummm, 'cause Green Day sucks?

[satchmodog9]

Football has been into pop culture since the late eighties. It was just a different pop culture then.

[Minnesocold]

Maroon 5 came off vapidly (doing just one song, ''Harder to Breathe"), while West did one tune, ''Heard 'Em Say." Yet it was disconcerting to hear his name booed loudly by Patriots fans who evidently didn't appreciate his nationally televised comment the other night on a Hurricane Katrina benefit that President Bush ''doesn't care about black people." The boos were thunderous and lasted for much of his number.

Boo-frickety-hoo, Mr. Morse. What's "disconcerting" for you is great news for me. West deserved it.

[dfwgator]

Santana has sucked since "Abraxas."

[Trust but Verify]

I actually like Green Day, but I wouldn't buy their stuff or pay to see them. But if they come on the radio, I enjoy listening to their music.

[Lou L]

Guess I should just read the article, first. What's with Maroon 5--is Kayne West part of that band? I do I understand this correctly--he played remotely--from a stage in LA? What a coward! I think West's 15 minutes are up.

[rhombus]

They should have pelted him with rocks and garbage.

That would have been something to see.

And we got remotes of rapper Kanye West and pop rockers Maroon 5 from a generic-looking, red-white-and-blue stage in Los Angeles.

[BerniesFriend]

Kanye West LOUDLY Booed

Bush's fault.

[RoseofTexas]

GOOD! I didn't watch the pre-kick off show because West was going to be perform! I'm so glad folks booed him, he deserved every boo he had coming to him! Were the rolling stones booed too? You know, I long for the simple times of the NFL! They had a good thing going until they started bring on those nasty political HAS-BEENS.

[mjustice]

Perhaps the article should have been titled:

"Pats fans don't care about Kanye West"

or

"Bush bashers get no love in Boston"

Seeing the behavior of the NFL and the Pats fans is refreshing -- they know that this is crap, and they are reacting accordingly.

MJ

[RIGHTWING WACKO FROM MASS.]

Why would any sports fan want to see a bunch has beens and drugged out fools? I'd love to go to a Pat's game but I wouldn't want to be forced to watch or even listen to that crap. Even though the Sox lost I was more than happy to watch them instead of that junk.