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Trying to resolve Eminem’s contradictions is a loser’s game. How do you reconcile the artist who asked the men in the audience at Voodoo Music Experience in New Orleans Friday night to yell, “Fuck you, bitches” (and the women to answer, “Fuck you, assholes”) with the guy who encored with the encouraging “Lose Yourself”? The scabrous pop culture critic with the MC who penned murder fantasy “3 a.m.,” which opened the set with a bloody, Saw-like trailer? The audience at Voodoo didn’t try; they were just thrilled he was there.

This year’s Halloween weekend festival includes Kiss, Jane’s Addiction, the Flaming Lips, Lenny Kravitz and Justice, who chain-smoked their way through a DJ set on a damp, biting Friday night. A downpour soaked the grounds of City Park and dropped the temperature 20 degrees, which cut down any walk-up traffic for one of Eminem’s only 2009 shows, but it didn’t hurt the gig. For the occasion, Eminem had a live band dressed in skeleton costumes that added muscle, particularly in the closing “Without Me.” To further beef up the sound, he was joined onstage by a hype-man throughout, and D12 for part of the show. He took time out to salute the late Proof, “the real leader of the group” in one of the set’s few tender moments.

The D12 segment also featured one of the more awkward moments as Em — who addresses his struggles with prescription pills openly on this year’s Relapse — recalled “when we was fucked up”. “When you was fucked up,” his bandmates corrected, then Eminem started talking about a time in Amsterdam when he was so loaded he was under the table and speaking a new language. The skit seemed designed to put Eminem’s drug problems in a “one of the boys” context, but the high-school-drama-class delivery undermined it.

That aside, Em onstage was, as usual, an electrifying presence, and he was in good voice and energy. The set’s breakdown slowed its momentum, though. There were Relapse songs, D12 songs, a hits medley — all separated by musical interludes while he changed T-shirts or took a quick break. But the audience was into the individual parts, rapping along and lost in the moment by the time he broke out “Lose Yourself.”

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Watching Mick Jagger face off with Bono and Bruce Springsteen backing up Billy Joel may have given fans at the two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary concerts a thrill, but the musicians onstage got a jolt from their all-star team-ups, too. Case in point: Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, who gushed to Rolling Stone backstage in the On 3 gifting suite that his band’s performance with Ozzy Osbourne, Ray Davies and Lou Reed was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“We really like how things are sounding,” he said just hours before the big show. “You’re going to see me with the biggest shit-eating grin from here to here tonight when I’m onstage. One of my favorite moments was when Lou Reed turned around to the monitor guy and said, ‘Hey, I need more Kirk Hammett in my monitor!’ …. Lou Reed wants to hear more of me! That’s right on.”

More Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:

• Mick Jagger Joins U2, Metallica, Aretha Franklin at the Rock Hall’s Epic 25th Anniversary Bash
• Night One in Photos: Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Simon & Garfunkel, CSN and More
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Turns 25 With All-Star Sets From Springsteen, Wonder and More
• Photos: Backstage at the Rock Hall 25th Anniversary Concerts
• Morello, Raitt, Crosby Pay Tribute to Fellow Legends Backstage at First Rock Hall Concert

For complete Rock Hall coverage, visit our Rock and Roll Hall of Fame page.

Photo: Kambouris/WireImage

If the first night of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th anniversary concerts were about looking back and celebrating legacies, night number two was about looking forward. From the performances — which focused heavily on punk, post-punk and metal — to the conversations that took place backstage, Friday night at Madison Square Garden was a testament to rock’s continued relevance, and the struggles it faces weathering a decade in which tastes have gone niche, genre-hopping is de rigueur and grand, unifying bands are few and far between.

See the Rock Hall bash’s second epic night of big-name collaborations in photos.

Artist after artist spoke about their fondness for the era in which they were nurtured, and how that era seems to have given way to a newer, stranger time. “Its fun to do a revue, like an old school rock & roll show,” said Steven Van Zandt, describing his set with the E Street Band the night before. “We’re just a good band, a working class band. We’re a dance band.” When asked who he thought had been overlooked for inclusion in the Hall of Fame, he quipped, “How much time you got?” before making impassioned pitches for both Darlene Love and the Hollies. He came across not only as a rock and roll performer, but as one of its most ardent, enthusiastic fans.

But his tone noticeably shifted when talking about the future of rock music. In discussing his own Little Steven’s Underground Garage radio show he said, “We’ve been trying to rebuild the whole infrastructure of rock and roll… We [the rock legends] need to be replaced, and it’s not happening. There’s no infrastructure to support these [young] bands. When our generation goes, there’s nothing there to support them. So we’re doing everything we can to support new bands.”

Ozzy Osbourne said he was supporting new bands by doing what he’s always done: rocking as hard as possible. “I’m a small cog in a big wheel. If they say my music has helped them get on with theirs, that’s great, that’s all we can do to keep the torch going.”

Backstage at the Rock Hall celebration: behind-the-scenes photos.

Aretha Franklin, when discussing the future of music, didn’t see roadblocks, but opportunities. “I don’t think it’s a demise,” she said of the industry, “it’s just a different business now. It’s not what it used to be. You’ve got iTunes and Starbucks and Walmart and QVC and everybody’s in the game now. It’s still the music industry, but it’s a different industry.” She recalled fondly when Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun took her to London on tour in her youth. “I think my most favorite memory is when we we went to London and Ahmet drove us around in the big Rolls Royce — he took us down to Carnaby street and we shopped, we had lunch. I loved it.”

Franklin’s stage partner Annie Lennox, who had moments earlier joined her for a thrilling take on “Chain of Fools,” also spoke of pop’s changing climate. “In life, you know, there’s nothing new under the sun,” she said, “but at the same time, fresh things come in. Innovation is interesting. To young artists I would say: ‘Don’t sell out. Stay true and do this for the right reasons.’ ”

Full report from the Rock Hall’s all-star second night.

It was a sentiment echoed by Jeff Beck. Fresh from a moving rendition of the Beatles’ “A Day in the Life,” the guitar legend offered advice to young artists with dreams of their own Hall of Fame induction: “I would encourage them all to go with good intentions,” he said, after a moment’s consideration. “Do it for the music, not just to be famous and rich.” If there was one thing that connected all of the evening’s disparate performers, it was exactly that: purity of intention, and the notion that a Hall of Fame induction was a reward — not an end goal.

Watch our backstage interviews with Aretha Franklin, Jeff Beck, Annie Lennox and Ozzy Osbourne here:

More Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:

• Mick Jagger Joins U2, Metallica, Aretha Franklin at the Rock Hall’s Epic 25th Anniversary Bash
• Night One in Photos: Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Simon & Garfunkel, CSN and More
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Turns 25 With All-Star Sets From Springsteen, Wonder and More
• Photos: Backstage at the Rock Hall 25th Anniversary Concerts
• Morello, Raitt, Crosby Pay Tribute to Fellow Legends Backstage at First Rock Hall Concert

For complete Rock Hall coverage, visit our Rock and Roll Hall of Fame page.

Photo: Kane/WireImage

As the second night of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th anniversary came to its climax, after nearly four hours of jaw-dropping musical collaborations, almost anything seemed possible. By this point Metallica had played with Ozzy Osbourne, Ray Davies and Lou Reed; Jeff Beck had jammed with Sting and Billy Gibbons; and U2 brought out Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen and the Black Eyed Peas for their closing set. Yet, few people were prepared for what happened when U2 began playing the intro to “Gimme Shelter” with Will.i.am at the keyboard and Fergie recreating Merry Clayton’s apocalyptic vocal intro. Without a word of introduction by Bono, surprise guest Mick Jagger sprinted onstage as the capacity crowd at Madison Square Garden let out one of the loudest cheers I’ve ever heard.

Relive the Rock Hall’s second giant night in live photos.

The show began, as it did on night one, with Jerry Lee Lewis alone at the piano. This time he did “Great Balls of Fire” — concluding with the 74-year-old legend violently kicking over his piano stool. A short film about gospel and soul music preceded Aretha Franklin’s entrance, who looked radiant in a bright red dress. Backed by a huge band that featured her son Teddy on guitar and a horn section, Franklin’s set featured a cover of “New York, New York” and her 1970 hit “Don’t Play That Song (You Lied),” which she dedicated to the song’s co-writer, Ahmet Ertegun. Annie Lennox, who bowed down to Franklin as she took the stage, dueted on “Chain of Fools” and Lenny Kravitz joined the Queen of Soul for “Think.” An encore of “Respect” had the entire crowd singing “R-E-S-P-E-C-T.”

Eric Clapton was supposed to play next, but he pulled out last week after undergoing gallstone surgery. Like he did in 1965 when Clapton quit the Yardbirds, Jeff Beck took his place. Playing with his tight four-piece touring band (featuring the amazing 23-year-old bass prodigy Tal Wilkenfeld), Beck opened with an instrumental version of the Ray Charles classic “Drown In My Own Tears.” Sting came out for a powerful “People Get Ready,” and Buddy Guy joined Beck for the blues standard “Rock Me Baby.” “This guy inspired me so much in 1962,” a gushing Beck said of Guy. “He inspired Jimi Hendrix too.” ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons stepped in for a raw and bluesy cover of “Foxy Lady” and Beck ended his set with a stunning instrumental rendition of the Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” that brought most of the crowd to their feet.

Go backstage at the Rock Hall bash in behind-the-scenes photos.

A montage of guitar rock from Chuck Berry through Deep Purple to the White Stripes introduced Metallica’s set. “We are Metallica and this is what we do,” James Hetfield said before tearing into “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “One.” “We wish we had written this next song,” Hetfield said before playing Bob Seger’s “Turn the Page.” “It fit us well since we are road dogs.” The metal giants have covered many songs in their quarter-century career, but they have rarely performed with other artists. “We’re a tight unit that doesn’t let many people in,” Hetfiefld admitted. Tonight they made an exception.

First out was Lou Reed, who took the lead on what may be the loudest and fastest versions of “Sweet Jane” and “White Light/White Heat” the former Velvet Underground singer has ever done. “The next singer doesn’t need an introduction,” a clearly excited Hetfield told the crowd. “He epitomizes the lead singer of a heavy metal band.” It could only have been Ozzy Osbourne, who got the posh MSG crowd to bang their heads along to “Iron Man” and “Paranoid.” “This next one threw us through a loop at first,” Hetfield said before bringing out Ray Davies. “Then we got schooled in early riff rock.” With that, Kirk Hammett played the infamous opening chords to “You Really Got Me.” Davies took it from there, and judging by the screams and the amount of people dancing in the aisles, this was one of the most electrifying moments of the night. Their set wrapped up with a scorching “Enter Sandman.” “Thank you for inviting us to this awesome fucking party,” Lars Ulrich said as the group walked offstage.

As the stagehands began setting up for U2, the anticipation was palpable. This was the only indoor date of their 360° Tour and nobody knew what surprises they had in store. A frenzied “Vertigo” opened their set, which lead into the No Line On The Horizon track “Magnificent.” “This is a very special venue for this band,” Bono said. “So we have to make something very special happen tonight, and this is the song we wish we’d written. It’s a Bruce Springsteen song, so we’d like to ask him to come out here; it’s also a Patti Smith song, we’d like to ask her to come out here.” The two — who have rarely (if ever) sang their co-written classic “Because the Night” together — walked out with E Street Band keyboardist Roy Bittan to thunderous applause. The first take on the song almost collapsed when Smith missed her cue at the beginning and neither Bruce nor Bono seemed to know when to sing their parts. “Take two!” Patti said as they took it again from the top. This time they nailed it. Springsteen stayed onstage to duet with Bono on “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” which they previously played together when Springsteen inducted U2 into the Hall of Fame in 2005. Midway through “Mysterious Ways,” the Black Eyed Peas emerged and the song immediately morphed into their 2003 hit “Where Is the Love,” during which Bono traded lines with Will.i.am, Taboo and Apl.de.ap.

Until tonight Mick Jagger hadn’t performed live since the Stones’ last tour ended over two years ago, but from the first notes of “Gimme Shelter” it was clear his voice is in excellent shape. Dressed in a navy blazer and tight black pants, the Rolling Stones frontman busted out all of his signature dance moves as he slithered around the stage singing the 1969 classic with Bono and Fergie, who impressively belted out the high notes. “What a great house band U2 have been,” Jagger said, prompting Bono to crack “We do weddings, funerals and Bar Mitzvah’s too.”

Fergie and Will.i.am left the stage, but Jagger hung around to sing “Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of.” Watching the two most famous frontmen in rock history sing literally face to face was an absolutely incredible, and their voices blended perfectly together on the song. There was no all-star jam encore (what could possibly have topped what just went down?), but U2 came back out for a stirring “Beautiful Day” that seemed to perfectly sum up the magic of the past two days.

More Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:

• Night One in Photos: Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Simon & Garfunkel, CSN and More
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Turns 25 With All-Star Sets From Springsteen, Wonder and More
• Photos: Backstage at the Rock Hall 25th Anniversary Concerts
• Morello, Raitt, Crosby Pay Tribute to Fellow Legends Backstage at First Rock Hall Concert

For complete Rock Hall coverage, visit our Rock and Roll Hall of Fame page.

Photo: Mazur/WireImage

Last night, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band whipped out a version of “New York State of Mind” with Billy Joel at the first of two giant concerts marking the 25th anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Tonight, it was Aretha Franklin who showed some love for the city hosting the gigs, with a stellar “New York, New York.” For more of the night’s awe-inspiring moments as they happen, keep reading.

Check out the Rock Hall shows in killer live photos.

• Annie Lennox joins Aretha Franklin for “Chain of Fools” wearing a maroon felt hat and a T-shirt with a prominent message: “HIV Positive” reads the front; “Fighting HIV/AIDS” is emblazoned on the back. The song is so successful, Franklin gushes, “That was so good” and does little dance.

• Lenny Kravitz blows the crowd away with an amazingly soulful take on his verses of “Think.” Aretha starts to dance off on Lenny’s arm, but it’s just a psych-out. She’s back for a sizzling “Respect.”

Go backstage with the Rock Hall’s big stars in behind-the-scenes photos.

• Jeff Beck opens with an homage to Ray Charles: “Drown In My Own Tears.” He wraps with a tribute to the Beatles, laying down a gorgeous, drawn-out “A Day in the Life” that stuns the crowd.

• Beck also brings out the two most spectacularly bearded men in the building: Sting sings “People Get Ready,” Billy Gibbons lends his gravely pipes to “Foxy Lady.” The non-bearded Buddy Guy joins for “Let Me Love You Baby,” and the crowd is mesmerized by Tal Wilkenfeld, Beck’s killer bassist.

• Metallica’s James Hetfield gets the crowd head-banging and laughing when he introduces Bob Seger’s “Turn the Page” as “one of the songs I wish we would have wroted — and thank my English teacher right now — I wish we had written.”

• The room fills with boisterous “Lllllllouuuus” as Lou Reed joins the band for searing versions of “Sweet Jane” and “White Light/White Heat.”

• Hetfield introduces “the crazy guy who epitomizes the rock & roll singer.” Ozzy Osbourne’s first words: “I can’t fucking hear! Louder!” Metallica bring the noise for “Iron Man” and Paranoid,” injecting the Black Sabbath songs with serious adrenaline.

• “We got completely schooled on early, early riff rock by this man and his band, the Kinks,” Hetfield says, introducing “one of the original punks,” Ray Davies. Enter powerful renditions of “You Really Got Me” and “All Day and All of the Night.” Metallica cap the set with “Enter Sandman.”

• Weeks on the road with the 360° Tour have given U2’s “Magnificent” an airy charm that stands up to some of their biggest hits. The song is resplendent and resonate in MSG.

• The crowd explodes when Bono utters the following: “This is the song we wish we’d written. It’s a Bruce Springteen song so we’d like to ask him to come out here. It’s also a Patti Smith song, we’d like to ask her to come out here.” After flubbing the beginning of “Because the Night,” the crew run through it again, tripling up on vocals on the chorus.

• Bono intros “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” with a long speech: “Here in rock & roll’s great cathedral, Madison Square Garden, think about all the pilgrims and pioneers that got us all here, the saints and the heretics, the poets and the punks that now make up the Hall of Fame. It’s a dangerous thing, this business of building idols, but at least rock & roll is not at its best about worshiping sacred cows. It’s about thousands of voices gathered at once in a great unwashed congregation, like tonight. For a lot of us here, rock & roll means just one word: liberation. Political, sexual, spiritual liberation.”

Bruce Springsteen responds: “Let’s have some fun with that.”

• The night’s second-biggest surprise arrives when “Mysterious Ways” suddenly takes a left turn into the Black Eyed Peas’ “Where Is the Love.” It’s wacky to see Bono trading verses with Will.i.am, but as he recently told RS, he’s open to all kinds of musical experiences.

• The night’s biggest surprise arrives when Mick Jagger strolls onstage to the haunting beginning of “Gimme Shelter.” Fergie nails the high parts at the end, and she and the Rolling Stones’ leader sing face to face, hopping up and down with pure energy. At the track’s end, all Bono can say is, “Oh my God.”

• Jagger stays for “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of,” trading verses with Bono in a moment of mutual respect. U2 bring it home with “Beautiful Day”: awesome, inspiring and tight.

Visit our Rock and Roll Hall of Fame page for more reports from the anniversary shows and much more.