Foo Fighters to rock Acropolis

Foo Fighters will play a televised concert at the Acropolis in a rare rock show at one of the world's most iconic historical sites, producers announced Friday.

The alternative rock icons led by Dave Grohl of Nirvana fame will perform July 10 at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the nearly 2,000-old stone theater on a slope of the ancient citadel that overlooks Athens.

Proceeds from the concert will go to unspecified Greek charities.

The concert will later air on US public broadcaster PBS as part of the series "Landmarks Live in Concert," in which artists play celebrated venues and discuss the significance with Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith.

"I've always wanted to work with the Foo Fighters and do a show in Greece," Daniel Catullo, the director of the series, said in a statement.

"We've had some incredible shows so far, but this one officially sets our standard at a new level," he said.

Other episodes include Italian crossover tenor Andrea Bocelli playing Florence's central Palazzo Vecchio and Alicia Keys singing at the Apollo Theater, New York's historic jazz venue.

The so-called Herodeon, built in the first century AD under Roman rule, seats nearly 5,000 people and has frequently been the site of historic concerts, though generally from the classical and opera world.

Artists from other genres who have played the Acropolis include Elton John, Frank Sinatra and Sting as well as French electronic pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre.

Foo Fighters on September 15 release their ninth studio album, "Concrete and Gold," which according to early indications will mark a return to the heavy, whirling guitars reminiscent of Nirvana.

source: AFP