Grey Eagle Casino – September 10, 2025
Few groups in hip-hop history carry the weight, urgency, and sheer impact of Public Enemy, and on September 10th at Calgary’s Grey Eagle Casino, Chuck D, Flavor Flav, DJ Lord, and crew proved that their revolutionary energy is far from fading. Packed into an intimate venue compared to the arenas they’ve dominated in decades past, the night felt more like a community gathering than a typical concert—a rallying cry, a history lesson, and a party all rolled into one.
Setting the Tone
The show opened with an Intro that hit like a call to arms, quickly igniting the crowd as the unmistakable boom-bap of “Show Me What You Got” thundered through the room. From there, the group wasted no time diving into classics like “Give It Up” and “Shut ’Em Down”, each met with roars from a multigenerational audience that knew every lyric.
Highlights of the Night
- Chuck D’s commanding presence: His voice remains a weapon—powerful, authoritative, and unwavering. When he launched into “Can’t Truss It” and “Welcome to the Terrordome”, it felt like he was channeling the same urgency of the late ’80s, but sharpened by decades of relevance.
- Flavor Flav’s showmanship: Equal parts, hype man, and musical force, Flav reminded Calgary why he’s indispensable. Whether taking over the mic for “911 Is a Joke”, hopping behind the drum kit for “Timebomb”, or strapping on a bass for “By the Time I Get to Arizona”, his energy kept the crowd buzzing.
- Deep cuts and surprises: Fans were treated to gems beyond the printed setlist, including “Do You Wanna Go Our Way???”, “B Side Wins Again”, and a blistering “She Watch Channel Zero?!” that tore the roof off to close the night.
- Political fire: “Fight the Power” rang with fresh urgency. Chuck D reminded the audience that the fight isn’t over, delivering verses like a frontline general with a microphone.
A Setlist for the Ages
The performance was relentless, covering every era of their catalog. From foundational cuts like “Public Enemy No. 1” and “Bring the Noise”, to career-defining anthems like “Rebel Without a Pause” and “Don’t Believe the Hype”, the night felt like a living timeline of hip-hop’s most uncompromising group.
The addition of “I Shall Not Be Moved” and “25 Daze to Do It” gave longtime fans rare treats, while the encore-like intensity of “Fight the Power” left the crowd chanting long after the group exited.
Setlist:
1. Intro
2. Show Me What You Got
3. Give It Up
4. Shut ‘Em Down
5. Can’t Truss It
6. Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos
7. Confusion (Here Come the Drums)
8. 911 ls a Joke
9. Welcome to the Terrordome
10. He Got Game
11.State of the Union (STFU)(First verse only)
12. Night of the Living Baseheads
13. Rebel Without a Pause
14. Black Is Back
15. Harder Than You Think
16. The Hits Just Keep On Comin
17.Can’t Do Nuttin’ for Ya Man
18.Do You Wanna Go Our Way???(Not on printed setlist)
19. Don’t Believe the Hype
20. Anti-Nigger Machine
21. Bring the Noise
22.B Side Wins Again (Not on printed setlist)
23. I Shall Not Be Moved
24. Public Enemy No. 1
25.Timebomb(Flavor Flav on drums)
26. Public Enemy Coming Through
27. 25 daze to do it
28.By the Time I Get to Arizona (Flavor Flav on bass)
29. Fight the Power
30.She Watch Channel Zero?!(Not on printed setlist)
The Takeaway
Public Enemy’s Calgary show was more than a concert—it was a reminder that music can still be a weapon for truth, justice, and resistance. Chuck D and Flavor Flav may have decades in the game, but their chemistry, energy, and message hit as hard as ever.
