Kristen's Concert Blog

Hail to Radiohead June 20, 2006-Chicago Auditorium Theatre

2006-06-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

this is a review i found online that's pretty fair.
the show as always was magical. they never cease to amaze me!! (Set list is at the end of the review). They are truly geniuses!!!

I felt like I won the lottery w/ the fact that I tried to buy tickets and did not get them that way…my husband’s old boss is very good friends w/ a woman who happens to be the sister of the band’s manager. Who unbelievably came thru w/ tickets for us and were 5th row center!!!?? As we were walking to the seats I said to phil: “I’m going to throw up!?” (which it took him a moment to realize that was just an expression of excitement!?)

This is about th 9th time i’ve seen them and they still leave me in awe…still get goosebumps during some songs and even got a little choked up during “no surprises”. (I used to pretty my bawl during some songs…).

HAIL TO RADIOHEAD.
The Clash used to be known as “the only band that matters,” but at the Auditorium Theatre on Tuesday night it sure felt like the mantle had been passed to Radiohead.

Chicago concert scene regulars were having a tough time remembering when tickets for a rock show were so tight. You’d call the sidewalk around the Auditorium a seller’s market except that no one was selling; there were just several hundred people milling about or lining up down the block and around the corner in desperate hope that tickets for the second of the band’s two sold-out Auditorium shows would magically appear.

This was different from people clamoring to see the Rolling Stones at the Double Door in 1997. There the novelty was that the ultra-rare chance to see a band so huge in a venue so small.

Radiohead is bigger than the Auditorium as well – they no doubt could sell out Soldier Field – but the key lure on this tour was that they’d be devoting much of the set to songs they had yet even to record. Even when the Stones have recorded and released new songs, they’re loath to play more than a few of them for fear of alienating their fans.

Radiohead’s fan base is huge and it desires to be challenged – that’s a combination that
you just don’t find these days. Yes, Wilco fans can make a similar claim, but with apologies to the very talented Jeff Tweedy, Wilco isn’t at Radiohead’s level.

The feeling Tuesday night (and, I’m sure, Monday) was that something important was going to occur inside that theater – the band was going to continue to push the ball forward – and no Radiohead fan wanted to miss it.

As I was watching Tuesday’s show – which was great – I thought about how U2 so masterfully reaches out to arena and stadium crowds. That’s not what Radiohead does. Radiohead still makes the crowd, no matter the size, come to them.

By similar points in their careers, R.E.M. and Talking Heads had transformed their inherent, captivating weirdness into self-conscious showmanship. Radiohead is already nine years removed from the album that got them widely hailed as geniuses – “OK Computer” – yet on stage they appear unshaken from their stubborn exploratory path, one constantly finding new textures and silkier grooves without mining for hits.

The band played seven new songs Tuesday night (compared to nine on Monday night) including one, “All I Need,” that lead singer Thom Yorke introduced by saying, “This is something we sketched out earlier.” He may have meant “earlier today,” because the song doesn’t appear on any of the band’s previous set lists for this tour (which you can peruse here).

It sounded terrific, with drummer Phil Selway punching out a deliberate, insistent beat as Yorke sang in a low register with his one-handed piano playing and Jonny Greenwood’s xylophone plunking conducting a spare dialogue. Other stand-out new songs included the clap-happy “15 Steps,” the razor-sharp “Bangers ‘n’ Mash” (which wound up Yorke doubling Selway's propulsive beat on a drum kit set up near the front of the stage) and the infectiously groovy “Down Is the New Up.”

Trib rock critic Greg Kot does an especially nice job of describing these and other new songs in his review of Monday night’s show.

A 23-year-old guy behind me was also in the audience Monday and at the band’s longer set at the weekend’s Bonnarroo Festival in Tennessee, and he thought the Tuesday show (which clocked in at just under two hours) was the most energetic. It’s certainly hard to imagine the band topping their white-hot performances of “I Might Be Wrong” and “Where I End and You Begin,” which hadn’t been on either of the previous two show’s set lists.

At the same time, while you celebrate the favorites you got to hear (“Airbag,” “Street Spirit”), you also get jealous of the ones that other audiences enjoyed (“There There,” “Lucky”).

That’s the price – and privilege – of seeing a band that would rather mix things up and keep themselves and their audiences on their toes every night rather than just serving up the same tried-and-true. Many of Radiohead’s songs boast such an elusive beauty or sneaky kick that you want to hear them over and over to absorb them.

We can’t do that with these new ones, although live versions of some songs have been floating around the Web – who needs marketing when you’ve got such a computer-savvy fan base?

We’ll probably have to wait till 2007 to hear these songs at full blast again – and who knows which will make the album’s final cut or may be completely rearranged? How can we stand such anticipation?

Better question: Why aren’t more rock bands putting us through such glorious agony?

Here’s Tuesday night’s set list ("n" for new):

“Airbag”
“2+2=5”
“Where I End and You Begin”
“15 Steps” (n)
“Kid A”
“Arpeggi” (n)
“Videotape” (n)
“Climbing Up the Walls”
“Street Spirit (Fade Out)”
“Nude” (n)
“I Might Be Wrong”
“No Surprises”
“All I Need” (n)
“I Want None of This” (Yorke solo on piano)
“The National Anthem”
“Bangers ‘n’ Mash” (n)
“Everything in Its Right Place”

(1st encore)

“My Iron Lung”
“The Bends”
“Myxomatosis”
“How To Disappear Completely”

(2nd encore)

“Down Is the New Up” (n)
“The Tourist”

update

2005-12-02T17:50:00.000-08:00

i am long overdue to update this-- now that wintertime is rolling around i anticipate to update in early 2006... pls check back in a mth!!!

2005-12-02T17:44:00.000-08:00

depeche mode- allstate arena 11/29/05

went to see depeche mode the other night...the last time i saw them was in 1990 w/ Nitzer Ebb!???
was a fun, retrospective show. they did some of the "oldies". the arena was packed (not sure if it was sold out). the new album is actually quite good.

my friend larry got me into the very "restricted" meet and greet. it was just a "shake hands, photo & done" deal. but it's cool to have this photo for the memories...and no, i have no idea what "that guy"(martin gore) is wearing...he came out onstage and hour later with that outfit. what you can't see (or can you?) is his feathered wings too. his boots also had some feathers too and he was wearing some leather apron/skirt--except it covered his behind. i guess this is conservative considering the small leather outfits he used to wear in the "early days". oh yeah--he had some rooster cap on his head too that tied below his chin-but had a feather mohawk on top!? THAT's ENTERTAINMENT!

DEPECHE MODE concert tally:
May 30, 1988 at Blossom w/ O.M.D. (music for the masses tour)
June 26, 1990 at Blossom w/ Nitzer Ebb (violator tour)

M.I.A./LCD Soundsystem- Metro (Sold out)

2005-05-19T19:32:00.000-07:00

*what's really cool about MIA is the fact that this was one of the first "happening" records that i started working w/ in mid-March. the record just went to Interscope this past week...but we knew it was gonna happen. cool to be a part of something like this.

Live - Ecstatic Chicago Fans Embrace M.I.A., Won't Let Go
(from the tripwire.com)
Shoulder-to-shoulder, elbow-to-elbow, head-to-head, the crowd had packed itself so tight you hardly had room to breath. With no guard rail to separate us from the action, hordes of fervent fans desperately pushed to the front in hopes to securing a part of the floor for themselves. While the persistent pushing annoyed some, I embraced the activities as a humbling expression of unity. The evening’s events presented possibly Chicago’s most anticipated performance of the year, and somehow I had managed to finagle my way to the front. Not a single performance had begun, not even an opener, and the sold out show at The Metro was nearing capacity.

Suddenly, the house lights grew dim and from my left, Diplo could be seen casually taking his place behind the turntables. A series of catcalls swept across the crowd, only to be abruptly silenced by the peculiar voice of our president. An unusual video display projected onto a screen adjacent Diplo offered a comical image of George W. Bush behind a podium. The clever manipulation of the footage presented president Bush consistently repeating the words “MIA! MIA! MIA!,” as if the president himself had been hypnotized by the hysteria. With each repetition of the word the pace at which it was being repeated doubled, until eventually the crowd was left with a solid tone and a quavering image. Without warning, the devastating sound of an explosion ripped across the audience announcing M.I.A.’s entrance and ignited the crowd's enthusiasm with a wild display of unruly behavior.

My expectations of the performance were nothing less than flawless, and remarkably M.I.A. delivered without a hitch. Her uncanny ability to hype the crowd with her playful antics and flamboyant dance moves comforted even the lamest participants, pushing the crowd to contribute dearly to the show. Occasionally she would stop to catch her breath and share and intimate moment with the audience, before breaking back into a crowd pleaser like "10 Dollar". Diplo’s talented abilities masterfully guided the diva with a series of exquisite beats both from M.I.A.’s debut release, Arular, and from the their incredibly successful mixtape, Piracy Funds Terrorism. It would seem that M.I.A. was well conditioned for her first visit to the windy city, no doubt a result of her strenuous US tour, which allegedly ends sometime in mid June. Perhaps the highlight of this excursion is an official introduction to mainstream America via an appearance on Conan (May 27).

The show was incredible, but the icing on the cake came at the end, when the artist returned to the stage to perform an astonishing two-song encore. Granted, it was technically a co-headlining bill, but normally the encore is reserved for the last band to perform. But not last night... the crowd DEMANDED more. Tired and sweaty from a non-stop ass shaking experience, the crowd restlessly chanted word for word the lyrics to her first single, "Galang". This awesome show of pure magnitude has solidified MIA’s success in Chicago and demonstrated the power of her unique international hybrid on yet another American audience. An unprecedented performance such as this raises the bar of expectations and will undoubtedly re-route American popular culture as the MIA phenomenon prepares to give listeners an uncompromising alternative to the bland pop sensations dominating television and radio. The future of pop music? Time will tell.
-Reported by Drew Hudson on 05/20/2005

Peter Murphy- Metro

2005-05-18T19:36:00.000-07:00

went w/ friend fellow-murph adimirer: ofelia. although he mostly did newer stuff (and nothing off my FAVE record: love hysteria...). he's still one of my favorite performers and he still sounds great.

here's a great review i saw about "murph's" recent performance at coachella...sigh.
*HE STARTED THEIR SET HANGING UPSIDE DOWN TO BELA LUGOSI'S DEAD!?!??! I WOULD HAVE EITHER THROWN UP FROM EXCITEMENT ON THE SPOT OR FAINTED...HE'S STILL THE COOLEST!!

Bauhaus
Kayt Canino(www.icecreamman.com)

How do you show that 48 isn't old, while at the same time not appearing like an aging rocker trying too hard? Try hanging upside down wrapped in black ribbons like a bat caught in a giant spider's web, and going straight for your most famous hit as the opener. With the trademark white light shining up from the stage, Bauhaus singer Peter Murphy bellowed out the long notes of "Bela Lugosi's Dead," as Kevin Haskins rim shots counted down the numbers of seconds Peter could stay suspended upside down.

Bauhaus completely ruled. Not one bad note. Not one missed beat. I think Kevin Haskins even added some equipment since I saw them in 1998, so even if he missed a beat, he'd have had 20 other drums to hit to cover it up. Daniel Ash, also thwarting middle-age, had on his "I'm-not-46-I'm-25" platform leather knee-high boots on, and gave a big finger to dudes like Bono who hide behind shades at every public appearance. David J had a verrrry expensive-looking fretless bass that he played so effortlessly I couldn't tell if he was bored or entranced by his own awesomeness.

The only cringe I made with the visuals was Peter's outfit, hair, okay the whole bit. He had on these weird pants that were really flowy and baggy at the bottom, and the kept flapping in the Indio wind. And his hair, was it white or bleached platinum? I couldn't tell. I was stuck at a point where I could barely see the stage. I'd tried to play "follow the dick" by jumping the train of people rudely pushing their way up to the front, but at one point I stepped on this girl and she said, "Hey, you're stepping on me," and I gave her a sad little cutey-wootey face and said, "I didn't mean to! I'm sorry!" Then she felt bad, so I didn't feel like pushing up any farther. Throughout the entire show, in between his posing and arm-raising, Peter would climb the scaffolding tower behind him and pose up there. It doesn't sound as marvelous as it was, but looking at it during the first few songs, I couldn't help but think, "That would be so great if he climbed up on that!"

Peter Murphy did his trademark posing-in-the-white light thing and the band rocked through "God in an Alcove," which I'm sure made a lot of people who thought Bauhaus only had two albums go, "Huh?" and made the rest of go, "Sweet!" Kevin Haskins played a fast, new disco beat to "She's in Parties" as if to say, "Hey Peter, we're sorry we recorded "Burning from the Inside" without you, but check out much more awesome this song sounds than "Slow Hands!"" Thank you David J for ending the song with the dub bass line and hypnotizing us for a good 5 minutes. "Passion of Lovers" also got a new face with a decidedly faster beat and we got to see a change in the shadows on Peter's face when the lights changed to red. Daniel revealed his Love and Rockets passion for the acoustic guitar on "Silent Hedges," and Peter posed some more with his pants flapping in the wind. They ended the night with "Rose Garden Funeral of Sores" and "Stigmata Martyr," and in my mind all I could think was, "Dude, how awesome is this?" Bauhaus was by far the highlight of the evening. I think I even heard Peter say, "Hey Kayt, why don't you just go home? it's not going to get any better than this tonight."

Snow Patrol - The Vic (sold out)

2005-05-12T19:29:00.000-07:00

got to go see one of my fav bands...was a good show and they played a few new songs too. afterwards hung out w/ my friends mike/blake from the softball team and some of their friends and we went to another bar where members of snow patrol were DJing in the back room. we all were pretty surprised at how cool it was and all agreed that moment we felt like we were in a NYC club! we all had a great time drinking, dancing, laughing etc. and all disappeared into the late night zzzzzzzzzzzz

Coldplay- Metro (sold out)

2005-05-06T14:05:00.000-07:00

K os/ Handsome Boy Modeling School- HOB

2005-04-09T19:09:00.000-07:00

late show? early show? guess it depends how you look at it...

my friend randy asked me if i wanted to go to this show on friday--i said sure...he said it would be "late"...but figured: if he's game, i'm game.

randy met up w/ me and my friend liz around 11:30--had a few drinks and headed to HOB around 1:00 AM?!?! k'os was supposed to go on at 1:45-but didn't go on until 2:15 and played for 20 minutes!?? luckily we had a balcony/box seat--so we were hanging w some other friends. was a cool set--but disappointing to wait and see such a short set?! HBMS we ok--we stuck around for few tunes--but had too much "Schtick" going on w/ the audience..at 3AM--you just wanna hear music, dont' really need to see some "dog and pony show".

randy dropped me off at my car around 3:30 and i pointed out that we could hear the birds chirping...

Glenn Phillips/ Blue Merle

2005-03-31T19:05:00.000-08:00

saw Blue Merle perform at a UMVD/Lunch performance earlier that day. very coldplay meets dave matthews band influence.

later on saw Blue Merle open for Glen Phillips, former lead singer of Toad The Wet Sprocket. I enjoyed listening to TTWS alot in college. took me right back to those days...studying, college life, love.

2005-03-20T20:05:00.000-08:00

kb w/ dd 2005

duran duran tally

2005-03-20T11:43:00.002-08:00

so friends are asking me--is this the "umteenth" time you've seen them..actually no.

confessions of a duranie:
1. 1985- Power Station (john & andy)...first concert ever actually!?)
**2. 1987- Notorious Tour @ Blossom (orinaly members:john, simon and nick)
3. 1993- Wedding Album (john, simon and nick)--*met them!!!!
4. 1996- Neurotic Outsiders (john's side project)--met john bc was working w/ opening band: fluffy--and john actually appeared at our meet and greet?!
5. 1997- Meddazaland tour (simon and nick). *day michael hutchence committed suicide--very sad when simon dedicated 'save a prayer' to michael and was crying onstage.
6. 2001- Pop Trash tour (simon and nick) at House of Blues
7.,8, & 9. 2003 x3 nights at House of Blues--reunion tour!! *SEE November 2004 blog entries
10. 2005- allstate arena.

duran duran - allstate arena

2005-03-20T11:43:00.000-08:00

here we go again...i don't even know where to start... my friend mark had told me there was a "slight chance" i could meet the band a few days bf--but that i could tell "no one".
next thing i know it's friday 5:00pm and i'm at allstate arena w/ mark waiting to go in for a "soundcheck listening party". we got to sit in the first 2 rows--(i was front and center!?) and they did a private show for about 50 people!? they were working the fill-in guitarist bc andy taylor had to leave a few days prior to a "family emergency"(which i'm hearing is his father--not good). they did: union of the snake, i don't want your love (2x),& sunrise. after that we got to meet them very briefly, get their autographs and a group photo w/ them.(we'll see if i ever get a copy of the photo from the radio station's prof. photographer?!). after the group photo i got john's attention for a minute and gave him my business card and told him i had some great ideas on how a comprehensive duran box set should be (i know...crazy...stalker?!)...i told him to give the card to a mgr or whoever and that i would love to speak w/ someone regarding my ideas...he said sure, and took it...so i can say: i gave john taylor my #?! ;) we'll see...

the show was great. (it would have been better if andy taylor was there...). they put on a great arean show. simon is a fabulous frontman. john taylor...sigh. roger sounds great(and was sweet when he came out and said "it's great to be back"). so exciting to see a pretty full arena of people out to see "my boys". my boys are back...i really never thought i'd see them back together again.
>>Set List - Chicago
SUNRISE
WANT YOU MORE
HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF
A VIEW TO A KILL
NICE
WHAT HAPPENS TOMORROW
COME UNDONE
I DON’T WANT YOUR LOVE
ASTRONAUT
TIGER TIGER
THE CHAUFFEUR
ORDINARY WORLD
SAVE A PRAYER
BEDROOM TOYS
NOTORIOUS
PLANET EARTH
REFLEX
CARELESS MEMORIES *(prob my fav--great visual w/ japanimation going on and them destroying the EMI (Endangered Music Industry) building...YIKES!?)
WILD BOYS

GIRLS ON FILM
RIO

French Kicks/Calla- Empty Bottle (sold out)

2005-03-11T12:37:00.000-08:00

fr. kicks put out one of my fav records of 2004: trial of the century. reminds me of summertime in chicago, so it was nice to see them on a cold, snowy night! :)

they did a fun cover of New Order's "Regret". so have had to spin some fav N.O. tunes the next day!

this was the 3rd time i've seen them in less than a year:
-bucktown fest
-opening for keane at park west.

Taste Of Chaos- Arragon (sold out)

2005-03-09T12:34:00.000-08:00

went down to the "taste of chaos" show at the "(scare)aragon". and a frieght-fest it was...all these late HS teens out for the "rock show". we were supposed to have 2 bands on an "acoustic" stage: bleed the dream and opiate for the masses. one the first one performed. they are on a new label we will be distributing: WARCON. one of the head dudes for the label and tour was there. he started the Warped Tour (hence the WAR-in WARCON). should be an interesting label. said hello to him so he new his new distribution reps were there. RAWK!

Stephen Kellogg

2005-03-03T15:14:00.000-08:00

Saw this singer and his band do an acoustic set at the UMVD office.

Hot Hot Heat/Louis XIV- Bottom Lounge

2005-03-03T15:11:00.000-08:00

two very cool "buzz" bands!

The Futurheads- Double Door

2005-03-01T15:12:00.000-08:00

what year is it? great band with "all members singing"...ya don't see that too often these days. i liked the cd-but thought there were better live.

Keane/ Redwalls- The Riveria

2005-02-17T15:18:00.000-08:00

went to see a favorite keane at the riveria. the riveria rarely ever really captures the true live power for some artists. although keane was great. i realized how special that show was i saw last fall at the park west. same goes w/ when i saw damien rice at park west and then several mths later he was at the riv (and on my bday too)...and the shows were ok. they just didn't have that magical element that i felt seeing them the time before.
also was there to see a new chicago band to watch: the redwalls. they were fun. good power pop band. very talented. many members take the lead vocals which is pretty cool.

Bettie Serveert- Abbey Pub

2005-02-12T15:15:00.000-08:00

went and saw a fav: bettie serveert tonite at the abbey pub. loved the palomine record. the new record is actually quite nice too. enjoyed hearing the new tunes. reminded me of when i was working at the local record store and we used to play their first cd on matador records all the time: palomine.

Jimmy Eat World- The Riveria #613

2004-11-16T23:44:00.000-08:00

American Music Club - Schuba's #612

2004-11-13T11:14:00.000-08:00

stayed after previous entry/show...to see one of my all-time favorite bands...the lead singer mark eitzel is an amazing songwriter. writes with so much emotion & passion.

amy correia/ griffin house- schuba's #611

2004-11-13T11:13:00.000-08:00

nettwerk artists

Po' Girl - Gunther Murphy's #610

2004-11-07T17:57:00.000-08:00

nettwerk artist. features one of the member of The Be Good Tanyas.

Helmet - Empty Bottle #609 (sold out)

2004-11-06T14:49:00.000-08:00

haven't seen Helmet almost 10 years...and part of that is due to them not being together for most of that. was a great show last night (and the band only consists of 2 original members now). i actually got to say hi to page hamilton the lead singer and we talked briefly about meeting many years ago...(he seemed to remember once i mentioned the writer he was with and where...)

i am not one to really like much "heavy metal" music...but for some reason i've always enjoyed Helmet.

In 95 a few of the memebers came into the record store i worked at (My Generation)...and here's what i had wrote in my journal from that experience:

1/29/95 Helmet- The Odeon (cleveland)
"One word: Helmet. Yesterday was a dream come true. A local magazine writer brought 3 guys from Helmet into My Generation yesterday. We met them and the guitarist: Rob Echeverria put me on the list for the shwo. It turned out to be an incredible, memorable evening. My friend Jen & I went to the show and were on "the band's guest list". we also received ALL ACCESS passes so we got to go backstage and hang out with the band before & after the show. It was wonderful. These guys were so nice (& cute). they got ready for the show a few feet away from us (stretching, changing). It was heavenly. And then when the band went onstage, we got to stay on the side of the stage and watch the entire show. It was incredible. I had always dreamt of that. I sat there on the step on the side of the stage and just watched the band, the crowd & just loved being there. I was about 10 feet away from Page Hamilton (lead singer/guitarist). I just couldn't believe i was there & it all just came together in a matter of hours. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. Well that happened for sure yesterday...After the show we hung out & talked...It was such a great night. It was a dream come true. I'm still reeling in it all. I loved it all, every moment"

Beastie Boys - United Center #608

2004-11-04T21:42:00.000-08:00

so great to see them. Talib Kweli opened

i think this was the fourth time seeing them...
#1. 8/16/92- Agora (cleveland) w/ L7
#2. 7/19/94- Lollapalooza- Polaris (columbus) w/ Smashing Pumpkins, Nick Cave, Breeders, Lucious Jackson, The Verve, GBV

#3. 8/14/98- Cleve Convocation Center w/ Tribe Called Quest.

Yellowcard- The Riveria (sold out) #607

2004-10-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

went w/ some emi folks bc they had extra tix. was about 15 yrs old than avg age.

Interpol - The Riveria (sold out)

2004-10-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

Secret Machines opened.

Great show. secret machines were ok-at times they remind me of the flaming lips when they're rockin. othere times they were just dronin'.

loved interpol's first cd and really liking the new one.

here's a decent, fitting review from the tripwire.com:
Live - Interpol Turn On The Bright Lights In Chicago

Over the past few weeks I've realized that Interpol's new album, Antics, is one of those records that sounds just pretty good at first but slowly grows on you until it's imbedded in your subconscious like that tingly feeling you got when your kissed your girlfriend (or boyfriend) good night for the very first time. Upon first listen, I said to myself, "self, this record sounds OK, but it's no Turn On The Bright Lights." I'll admit, there was even a bit of disappointment happening for me at the time. However, unwilling to simply give up after one listen, I tried and tried again. Suddenly, I found myself humming the melodies to "Slow Hands" and "Evil" in my head and felt an undeniable urge to listen to the album at all times. Thank god I eventually got a real copy of the disc, since the advances wouldn't play in my computer, which meant no iPod love (which meant "at all times" was not an option). Last night, Interpol came to Chicago in support of Antics, returning to the Riviera theater to show fans that this new batch of songs was well worth waiting for.

Sunday shows are the worst as no one wants to start out the week with a hangover. Sure, you don't HAVE to drink at the gig, but it just doesn't feel right not to have a beer in hand. However, there's no way you can pass up an Interpol show just because it's on a Sunday, right? I know. So I went. Last night's gig was my third foray into the world of Interpol, so I knew (at least somewhat) what to expect. Frontman Paul Banks would stand strumming his guitar at the center of the stage, not moving much, but belting out vocals seemingly acquired from a deal with an otherwordly being. Daniel Kessler and Carlos Dengler would provide most of the excitement - Dan swirling his feet around and taking short dips to his knees like a white, less coordinated, James Brown and Carlos, well what do you say about Carlos? He would look like a Japanimation character, so skinny you can hardly see him. He'd be wearing big platform boots and would wield his bass guitar (which would seem enormous) like it's a weapon of mass destruction/enormous phallic symbol. Drummer Sam Fogarino would be the constant, driving force holding them all together. I was pretty much right on target.

Opening up with "Next Exit", Interpol spent the next hour treating the sold out Riviera Theater crowd to songs old and new, usually switching back and forth after each song. As is always the case with Interpol, the lighting was spectacular. It almost makes the show. The majority of the lighting is actually on stage and behind the band, causing a shadowy effect and adding to the mystique of the black-clad band. That alone is almost worth the price of admission.

Over the course of the evening, the band played the majority of crowd favorites, "Slow Hands", "Length Of Love", "Evil" and "Narc" from the new album and "NYC", "Obstacle 1", "Roland", and "Say Hello To Angels" from their debut, to name a few. The majority of the audience was in awe of this band. Not only do Interpol have an enormous batch of truly fantastic songs, but they also have that something special on stage that makes them even more captivating. More than just confidence, musical perfection and the mysterious nature of their on-stage personas, Interpol has that intangible quality that makes them seem like the greatest band in the world, if only for a night. I would be surprised if they don't play a larger venue the next time through (or at least play two dates at the Riv). Definitely go see them, especially if you haven't already.
-Reported by Matt DuFour on 10/18/2004

death cab for cutie - Riveria

2004-10-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

Lucero - Bottom Lounge

2004-10-09T07:53:00.000-07:00

Tom Mcrae/ Rachel Yamagata - Metro

2004-09-30T20:00:00.000-07:00

Nettwerk Artist Tom Mcrae opened for chicago artist. rudest crowd ever...there was talk throughout the crowd during tom's set. (not just your usual yahoo's at the back or by the bar). hopefully will see tom at a more intimate setting next time he comes to town. it's a really nice record.

Snow Patrol- Metro

2004-09-20T20:00:00.000-07:00

Eisley opened. Snow Patrol was great...favorite record of the year!!

Keane- Park West (Sold Out)

2004-09-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

The French Kicks opened (love their new CD: trial of the century). Keane was amazing! the singers voice just blows you away. only 3 people on stage: singer, keyboardist & drummer.

Divine Comedy- Schuba's

2004-09-17T23:00:00.000-07:00

nettwerk artist

old crow medicine show- Lund Auditorium

2004-09-11T20:04:00.000-07:00

Nettwerk artist: OCMS opened for Gillian Welch at a theater in the western suburbs(river forest)

Griffin House- Abbey Pub

2004-09-08T19:06:00.000-07:00

Nettwerk Artist: Griffin House Opened for Ari Hest

Jimmy Eat World- Metro

2004-09-02T18:08:00.000-07:00

Club show for upcoming new album. loved their last record...and remembered working their records on Capitol (and haven't seen them since then which would be 5+ years ago)

Kinky- House of Blues

2004-08-26T17:51:00.000-07:00

one of the best live bands. so much fun. had our own balcony box to enjoy the show.

Caviar - Metro

2004-07-30T17:52:00.000-07:00

A few guys on my softball team are in the band. was nice to see them doing their thing.

The Hives- Metro (sold out)

2004-07-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

The Finn Brothers- The Vic (sold out) * 2nd nite

2004-07-23T18:00:00.000-07:00

The Finn Brothers - The Vic

2004-07-22T17:00:00.000-07:00

one of my favorite artists on my label: Neil Finn.

Eric Clapton / Robert Randolph - United Center

2004-07-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

My old friend from Warner Bros., Tom Biery (aka Grover) was in town and i spent the afternoon w/ him running around to record stores and dinner; and tagged along for the show.

Madonna- United Center

2004-07-11T18:00:00.000-07:00

My good friend Larry treated me to a ticket to see Madonna for the first time. I remember vividly riding my 5 speed to the record store (My Generation) to get her first self-titled ALBUM in 1984

*(i ended up working at that local store a few years later!?...and the rest is history...)

Sloan & Jet- House of Blues

2004-07-06T18:00:00.000-07:00

my good friends are back in town and opening for Jet. As always, so great to see them...sat around during most of Jet's gig catching up w/ Jay from Sloan. The best bit was after the show when members of Jet & Sloan were getting to know each other (this was the first night of their tour together) by impersonating each other's native homeland's accents/slang...it was the Aussies vs. the Canucks. loved hearing the aussies saying things like "eh" & "aboot"...

Jackie Allen- Old Town School Of Folk Music

2004-06-20T18:00:00.000-07:00

Franz Ferdinand- Metro (sold out)

2004-06-12T18:00:00.000-07:00

Keane- Martyr's

2004-06-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

Sloan - Metro

2004-05-22T17:00:00.000-07:00

the boys are back. haven't seen them in a year or two. was a rainy & stormy night...but good to see them and catch up after the show.

Damien Rice - The Riveria (sold out)

2004-04-27T18:00:00.000-07:00

One of the best ways to spend my birthday...seeing one of my favorite artists (and favorite record of 2003). show was amazing. this time he had his backup singer lisa there and she was amazing as well.

Shared the eve with my 2 friends Larry & Meg.

when i got this cd the summer of '03..i honestly could not stop listening to it. It just hit me so hard and was that album i needed to hear and have. This album is one of those album that has the power to change your life... at least it did for me. his music is so inspiring and moving...and his live shows capture that x10.

The Blowers Daughter
and so it is
just like you said it would be
life goes easy on me
most of the time

and so it is
the shorter story
no love no glory
no hero in her skies
i can't take my eyes off of you....

and so it is
just like you said it should be
we'll both forget the breeze
most of the time

and so it is
the colder water
the blower's daughter
the pupil in denial

i can't take my eyes off of you...

(LISA:)
did i say i loathe you?
did i say i want to leave it all behind

(DAMIEN:)
i can't take my mind off of you...

until i find somebody else

Snow Patrol - Empty Bottle

2004-04-25T20:00:00.000-07:00

Eagerly awaited for this one since i got the Snow Patrol CD "Final Straw" over a month ago...

old crow medicine show- Subteranean

2004-04-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

also had an instore with them earlier that day at the new Borders in Uptown

Twilight Singers - Metro

2004-04-07T18:00:00.000-07:00

American Music Club - Old Town School of Folk Music

2004-03-26T20:00:00.000-08:00

Long-awaited and a show i never thought i see. started to appreciate this band long after their days...have fortunately seen mark eitzel several times. one of those bands people will be "acclaimed" for a lifetime.

Von Bondies- Double Door

2004-03-12T20:00:00.000-08:00

The Stills- Empty Bottle (sold out)

2004-01-26T20:00:00.000-08:00

Kinky- Club PM

2003-12-09T18:00:00.000-08:00

Duran Duran - House of Blues: 3rd Nite (sold out)

2003-11-19T18:00:00.000-08:00

Chicago Show 3 Set List
11/19/03
A View to a Kill
Planet earth
Hungry like the Wolf
Come Undone
What Happens Tomorrow
New Religon
All She Wants Is
Beautiful Colours
Union of the Snake *
Nightboat
Notorious
Girls on Film *
Careless Memories
Wild Boys
White Lines
The Reflex *
Rio *

* Featuring John Amato on sax

Duran Duran- House of Blues: 2nd nite (sold out)

2003-11-18T18:00:00.000-08:00

Chicago Show 2 Set List
11/18/03
A VIEW TO A KILL
PLANET EARTH
HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF
COME UNDONE
WHAT HAPPENS TOMORROW
NEW RELIGION
IS THERE SOMETHING I SHOULD KNOW
BEAUTIFUL COLOURS
UNION OF THE SNAKE
WAITING FOR THE NIGHT BOAT
ORDINARY WORLD
SAVE A PRAYER
NOTORIOUS
GIRLS ON FILM
CARELESS MEMORIES
WILD BOYS
----
WHITE LINES
RIO

Duran Duran - House of Blues (sold out)

2003-11-17T17:00:00.000-08:00

Where do i begin...
Over 20 years of waiting. i never thought i'd see all 5 reunited performing live together ever. but it happened and experienced 3 nights in a row of it.

Here's an excerpt from my journal:
Went with my friend Letty, who's also a big fan (and has a great story about the first time she saw them in 84 she threw up in the parking lot due to excitement!?) & we had a great time. When the curtains opened & all 5 members were standing there- I was awestruck. I couldn't believe it was happening. A dream I had, that i thought would never happen.

during "careless memories" it all came rushing over me: the memories, the dreams, the inspiration,the moment, the laughs, the tears, the passion, the love, the hope, the music, the friends and so so much more. I realized how great life & Duran Duran have been such a huge part of that... it was a magical night.

Chicago Show 1 Set List
11/17/03
FRIENDS OF MINE
PLANET EARTH
HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF
COME UNDONE
WHAT HAPPENS TOMORROW
NEW RELIGION
IS THERE SOMETHING I SHOULD KNOW
BEAUTIFUL COLOURS
WAITING FOR THE NIGHT BOAT
ORDINARY WORLD
SAVE A PRAYER
NOTORIOUS
GIRLS ON FILM
CARELESS MEMORIES
WILD BOYS
----
REFLEX
RIO

Twilight Singers- Double Door #572

2003-11-07T22:00:00.000-08:00

Daivid Mead - Schuba's #571

2003-11-07T18:00:00.000-08:00

The Thrills- Double Door #570

2003-10-30T18:00:00.000-08:00

Travis - The Riveria #569

2003-10-28T18:00:00.000-08:00

Didn't initially like the new cd: 12 Memories...but after the show gave it another listen and couldn't stop listening. some really great songs on this record: Re-Offender, How Many Hearts, Love will come through...

Shelby Lynne - Abbey Pub #568

2003-10-21T18:00:00.000-07:00

Her album: I am Shelby Lynne is one of those "must have" in your record collection. Saw her several years ago at sxsw and was blown away from her. this little lady can belt out some tunes with such emotion.

Howie Day - The Vic #567

2003-10-12T18:00:00.000-07:00

experienced something i never have at show...security was confiscating all gum, candy and mints?!! not like this was some acid-tripping, pot-smoking, techno-lovin' kinda show that would even warrent that kind of a search and seizure!? (and the venue ain't no palace either)

Sting - Grant Park #566

2003-10-07T18:00:00.000-07:00

Erin Mckeown - Schuba's #565

2003-09-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

REM - United Center #564

2003-09-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

Brooksville/ Goldfrapp - Park West #563

2003-09-25T18:04:00.000-07:00

Damien Rice- Park West (sold out) #562

2003-09-23T18:05:00.000-07:00

one of the best show's of the year! the crowd was so amazing too... you could almost hear a pin drop during the quieter tunes...

one of the best live show's i've ever seen.

Raveonettes/ Stella Star - Metro #561

2003-09-20T18:07:00.000-07:00

Built To Spill - Metro #560

2003-09-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

Delerium - Metro #559

2003-09-16T18:09:00.000-07:00

Dandy Warhols - Metro #558

2003-09-06T18:10:00.000-07:00

Radiohead - Alpine Valley #557

2003-08-23T17:00:00.000-07:00

will never get sick of seeing this band... they tally up as one of the band's i've seen the most

*They are up there w/ Sloan at #1 (15x) & the Foo Fighters (9x)

#1- 6/7/95 @ Peabody's Down Under (Cleveland0
#2- 4/8/96 @ The Odeon (Cleveland)
#3- 7/30/97 @ EMD Convention w/ the Foo Fighters (Vancouver)
#4- 8/13/97 @ Metropol (Pittsburgh)
#5- 8/16/97 @ Lakewood Civic Auditorium (Cleveland)
#6- 4/17/98 @ Radio City Music Hall (NYC)
#7- 8/1/01 @ Arvey Field/Grant Park (Chicago)
#8- 8/8/01 @ Blossom (Cleveland)
#9- 8/23/03 @ Alpine Valley (WI?!)

Liz Phair- Metro #556 (sold out)

2003-08-22T17:13:00.000-07:00

Sense Field - Metro # 555

2003-08-05T17:14:00.000-07:00

*nettwerk artist

Dave Gahan - House of Blues #554

2003-07-31T17:15:00.000-07:00

The Mix "live at 5" special acoustic performance in House of Blues Restaurant

BRMC - Empty Bottle #553 (sold out)

2003-07-14T21:00:00.000-07:00

Black Rebel Motorcyle Club

Blur - Congress Theater #552

2003-07-14T18:00:00.000-07:00

Erin Mckeown - The Ark #551

2003-06-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

Ann Arbor, MI
Nettwerk Artist

Erin Mckeown - Martyr's #550

2003-06-25T18:20:00.000-07:00

nettwerk artist

Pearl Jam - United Center #549

2003-06-17T17:21:00.000-07:00

Coldplay/ Ron Sexsmith- UIC Pavillion #548

2003-06-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

Nettwerk Artist: ron sexsmith

Daniel Lanois- Old Town School of Folk Music #547

2003-05-31T17:23:00.000-07:00

Foo Fighters- UIC Pavillion #546

2003-05-25T17:26:00.000-07:00

9th time seeing them...

#1 Agora-Cleveland 4/6/96
#2 The Garage- Cinci 7/18/97
#3 EMD Convention- Vancouver 7/30/97
#4 Agora- Cleve 10/19/97
#5 Oakland, CA 11/1/97
#6 Metro- Chicago 10/31/00
#7 State Theater-Detroit 11/6/00
#8 Metro- Chicago 10/19/02
#9 UIC Pavillion- chicago

Love Dave Grohl...i love that he loves what he does and shows. and to this day...is still one of the NICEST people in the music biz!!!!

Jackie Allen- Old Town School Of Folk Music

2003-05-18T17:31:00.000-07:00

Jazz artist (female vocalist) on a friend's local label: a440.

The Wallflowers/ Ron Sexsmith - The Vic #544

2003-05-02T17:32:00.000-07:00

bettie serveert- The Abbey #542

2003-05-01T17:35:00.000-07:00

Cheap Trick/ Guided By Voices - The Vic #543

2003-04-11T17:33:00.000-07:00

went w/ my friend Mike & Dan. we are fans of both bands and played our GBV bob pollard drinking game: whenever Bob drinks we drink. i make sure i take a cab to/from GBV shows!? -hic

Idlewild - Double Door #541

2003-03-21T17:35:00.000-08:00

Neil Finn- The Vic #540

2003-02-05T17:36:00.000-08:00

Johnny Marr- Double Door #539

2003-01-28T17:37:00.000-08:00

Guided By Voices- Metro #538

2003-01-24T17:38:00.000-08:00

Martina Sorbara- Schuba's #537

2003-01-15T17:39:00.000-08:00

*nettwerk artist

The Vines/ The Music - Agora #536

2002-12-27T17:39:00.000-08:00

Cleveland

Bryan Ferry/ Martina Sorbara- Chicago Theater #535

2002-11-19T17:40:00.000-08:00

Tahiti 80- Double Door #534

2002-11-11T17:41:00.000-08:00

Joseph Arthur- Martyr's #533

2002-11-09T17:42:00.000-08:00

Erin Mckeown - schuba's #532

2002-11-08T17:43:00.000-08:00

nettwerk artist