by While the rest of the northwest area was blanketed in a layer of acrid smoke from the wildfires that have burnt a great deal of our state, the downtown area around Pike Place Market seemed to catch a break. And by the time the much anticipated one-off super group of McKagan, Arm, McCready and Martin took the stage atop one of Seattle’s most recognizable icons, the the crowd of 10,000 was ready for some rock and roll.
Mike McCready feeling it During the Raw Power concert on top of Pike Place Market August 23, 2015. (NWMS staff photo)
One of the highlights of the show was Mark Arm introducing the band members and the bands they were in before they became famous. Names like Shadow, The Fartz, Warrior, Fastbacks just to name a few. Of course this wasn’t just any old awesome show but it was a fundraiser for KEXP’s new home and we just got word that the show raised $260k for KEXP’s new home campaign. Incredible!!!
Duff McKagan, Mark Arm, Barrett Martin & Mike McCready performing on the roof of Pike Place Market August 23, 2015 during KEXP’s Raw Power concert. (NWMS staff photo)
Mark Arm delighted the crowd with his high-energy stage persona that was packed in tight from the market up to 1st and with Duff pounding away on the bass, McCready ripping on the guitar and Barrett Martin torturing the skins, he had plenty of juice from the rest of the band to draw from. This Seattle supergroup did Iggy & The Stooges proud.
Duff McKagan & Mark Arm during KEXP’s Raw Power concert on top of Pike Place Market. (NWMS staff photo)
This concert was around a year in the making and while some in the crowd might have hoped for more than 7 songs, I think it was the perfect length and another one for the record books.
Raw Power Set List:
“Little Doll”
“TV Eye”
“I Got a Right”
“I Need Somebody”
“Down on the Street”
“Search and Destroy”
“Loose”
