Hail to Radiohead June 20, 2006-Chicago Auditorium Theatre

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

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!!!

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)

*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

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)

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)

K os/ Handsome Boy Modeling School- HOB

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

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.

kb w/ dd 2005 

duran duran tally

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

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)

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)

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

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

Hot Hot Heat/Louis XIV- Bottom Lounge

two very cool "buzz" bands!

The Futurheads- Double Door

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

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.