Foos Go The Distance For Benefits

Foo Fighters turned in what they called their longest gig ever – three hours – in Sydney March 24 as part of a promotional visit.

The show, at Goat Island in Sydney Harbour, was an invite-only for Channel [V] and the Triple M rock radio network.

After the expected two-hour set, previewing the band’s Wasted Light album, frontman Dave Grohl shouted “10 songs more!”

Afterward, Foo members promised to play three-hour sets when they returned to Australia for a full tour in October.

The 500 guests included members of Silverchair and Thirsty Merc as well as media and competition winners.

The Foos attempted another three-hour set the next night at an impromptu gig at the Manning Bar club. Unfortunately, the PA system blew up after two hours of relentless Foos onslaught, and the final hour was abandoned.

The promo tour also included a flood relief benefit at Brisbane Riverstage March 27. The 9,500 tickets sold out in 15 minutes, according to Frontier Touring.

Early estimates suggested that the event – with lYou Am I, Cloud Control and Giants of Science – raised $500,000 for the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal.

Before the show, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh personally thanked the band. During their half-hour conversation backstage, she told Grohl that many flood victims were further suffering because insurance companies were finding loopholes not to have to pay out.

Earlier, in New Zealand, the Foos played to 2,000 fans at Auckland Town Hall for the Christchurch Earthquake Relief.

Tickets were priced between NZ$175-$250 per head. A highlight of the March 22 show was during a particularly heavy rendition of “Stacked Actors” when Grohl leaped into the audience and did a sprint around the hall, stopping to pose for photos, serenade babies and kiss fans.