Rage Against The Machine - Live At Finsbury Park

Rage Against The Machine - Live At Finsbury Park is a raw and powerful music concert film released in 2015 that immortalizes the incendiary performance of the iconic American rock band Rage Against The Machine, at the Finsbury Park, London. This event was more than a music show; it was a triumphant celebration of music’s ability to rally people together, sparked by a public response to a social media campaign.

The remarkable story traces back to 2009, when a compelling Facebook campaign was initiated by Jon and Tracy Morter. The couple aimed to displace the prevailing trend of a Christmas number one song traditionally monopolized by the winners of UK’s reality show, The X Factor. The campaign rallied millions to download “Killing in the Name”, the popular track from Rage Against the Machine’s self-titled album released back in 1992, thus, triumphantly reaching the Christmas No.1 spot for 2009, outselling the single of multi-talented X Factor winner Joe McElderry.

In gratitude of this unprecedented event, Rage Against the Machine vowed to do a free gig in the UK. Held on June 6, 2010, it was this commitment that led to the formation of the legendary concert in Finsbury Park documented in this film. The camera work superbly captures the wild excitement of the park filled to capacity with over 40,000 frenzied fans.

Rage Against The Machine - Live At Finsbury Park masterfully encapsulates the electrifying atmosphere and the relentless energy from the opening song up until the final intensity of the encore. The band, consisting of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bass player Tim Commerford, drummer Brad Wilk and guitarist Tom Morello, are at their peak, performing with an unerring sense of power and purpose. The quartet's fervor echoes throughout the park, matching that of the massive audience thronging the grounds. The concert further highlights the band’s distinctive blend of rock, hip-hop, and funk combined with outspoken politics, a combination that has distinguished them from many of their contemporaries.

The highlight of this concert film is, without a doubt, the band’s blistering performance. The film illustrates Rage Against The Machine in their most raw and unfiltered form. The band's peremptory live renditions of hits like “Bulls on Parade,” “Renegades of Funk” and “Guerrilla Radio” thrill the audience, leading up to “Killing in the Name”, the pivotal song that materialized the hugely publicized concert. The explosive mosh pit erupting with the well-known opening riff of the song is a sight to behold. Zack de la Rocha's fervent vocals, contrasted with Morello's inventive guitar wizardry, Commerford's pulsing bass lines, and Wilk's powerhouse drumming, authenticate their status as a powerful live act.

Supporting this energetic performance, the film also carries interviews with the Morters, and the band members reminiscing the period of the campaign, the concert, and the connections they formed with their fans. The backstage footage complements the concert scenes, providing a captivating intimate perspective about the band and this historical musical event.

The film’s production design and cinematography are first-rate. The gritty and visceral live visuals amplified by energetic cuts and frenetic camera movements mirror the band’s onstage dynamism and the audience’s ecstatic response. Every sweat-drop, every crowd-surfing fan and each emphatic lyric from the lead singer pervades with a lasting impression, making audiences feel like they are right in the middle of this massive crowd.

Rage Against The Machine - Live At Finsbury Park is a must-watch not just for the ardent fans of the band, but also for those interested in the power of social media and how it can influence and shape real-world events in ways previously unimaginable. This film is an unprecedented amalgamation of vigorous music, galvanizing performances, and the extraordinary tale of how a single call to action can mobilize a mass movement, ultimately functioning as a metaphor for the band's often rebellious themes.

In conclusion, this movie digs deep into the heart of music's potential to inspire and bring about change, representing a gratifying and invigorating chapter in the band's history that continues to resonate even after the concert ends. Sit back and prepare yourself for a rocking exodus into the world of one of the most provocative bands in rock history.