Chicago

[Guest L~Cat]

Well....what a long strange trip this has been been.

Snuck out to the windy city for a little getaway after a seriously intense month. Got on the plane saturday morning with a boatload of anxiety almost uncertain if I should be going with that kind of energy. But all it took to make that month's worth of anxiety roll away was about the first four notes of Jack straw and seeing faces that I haven't seen in years and familiar smiles on the stage.

The Vic was packed but unfortunately not with the best crowd- but OK Lisa, you're not in kansas anymore. I had to remind myself of that notion several times. I was surprised by the elective as I didn't think they would do it with the TN show also in the city. The wang dang was hot with ms mackey on harmonica and FOTD is always sublime. I was having exhaustion issues through the show and only had enough energy for the music- didn't have it in me to deal with anyone else's energy, so the balcony was the perfect spot to groove with my dear friends. I needed that sing me back home- so thank you- it was stunning. I do want to note that i forgot that this venue has a no re-entry policy and I really think its a huge drag....and not for entirely selfish reasons as I did end up getting outside at set break, but these venues with no re-entry policies have to understand that it creates an energy during the show that is completely detrimental to the experience. People start tweaking out because they can't get outside at setbreak and at a dead show, about 50% of people smoke....one thing or another. So you have a house half full of people completely agitated. Then they start smoking inside the venue and at the vic, particularly in the bathrooms. So now the inside wreaks, the bathrooms are clogged up with smokers, and the security starts freaking out because everyone is smoking. Midway through the second set its disgusting. The welmont got tremendously better when they allowed re-entry. I wish the vic would do the same....its really silly to not rope off an area outside.

OK thats my rant.

Terrapin Nation was outstanding. Totally different crowd at Martyrs- everyone was there for the music and it wasn't overly crowded. Pat Malinger blew me away. The King Bee was heavy duty. Slinky dinky and sexy. Lisa lit up the crowd with For What its worth and folson prison blues was a dance off. Nicely done. The second have of the second set was the highlight for me for sure- starting with Stir it Up. Makes no difference is one of my favorite songs of all time and well now white rabbit, enough said. Oh hey jude, yes, thank you. I could hear it at every show.

The band seems to be on fire and focused and selling out shows....really great to see. I think the upcoming west coast tour will be a hoot. Stoked to get shows on my turf.... last two times traveling east I got made fun of for dancing and that is definitely a buzz kill. This time in chicago is "this bitch is going crazy". Yup. FOTD will do that.

I guess I'll do the food and beverage review too....

Chicago is kind of a rough place i will say, but I enjoyed checking out the city a bit and found a couple really fantastic places to eat and drink....found the chicago diner which is actually a veggie diner, super crunchy and serves awesome food and this organic liquor called Hum which I had never heard of before- made with ginger, cardamom, and kafir lime. Then before TN had one of the most delicious beers I've ever had- made down the street from Martyrs- HalfAcre Daisy Cutter pale ale....it smells like skunky grapefruity herb and it is quite yummy. I have a feeling I won't be able to find it out here unfortunately.

Time to rest these bones. Thanks for a great weekend....good to see so many sweet faces.

[Muddy Waters]

Chicago is kind of a rough place i will say

Broad Shoulders....It ain't La Jolla that's for sure...Early February not the ideal time to visit Chi-Town...Unless shrinkage is your goal..Still my favorite City in the country and it's not real close. F New York I say that with respect. Nice job at the Super Bowl. I like Eli.

[stlblues]

The Vic was packed but unfortunately not with the best crowd- but OK Lisa, you're not in kansas anymore. I had to remind myself of that notion several times. I was surprised by the elective as I didn't think they would do it with the TN show also in the city. The wang dang was hot with ms mackey on harmonica and FOTD is always sublime. I was having exhaustion issues through the show and only had enough energy for the music- didn't have it in me to deal with anyone else's energy, so the balcony was the perfect spot to groove with my dear friends. I needed that sing me back home- so thank you- it was stunning. I do want to note that i forgot that this venue has a no re-entry policy and I really think its a huge drag....and not for entirely selfish reasons as I did end up getting outside at set break, but these venues with no re-entry policies have to understand that it creates an energy during the show that is completely detrimental to the experience. People start tweaking out because they can't get outside at setbreak and at a dead show, about 50% of people smoke....one thing or another. So you have a house half full of people completely agitated. Then they start smoking inside the venue and at the vic, particularly in the bathrooms. So now the inside wreaks, the bathrooms are clogged up with smokers, and the security starts freaking out because everyone is smoking. Midway through the second set its disgusting. The welmont got tremendously better when they allowed re-entry. I wish the vic would do the same....its really silly to not rope off an area outside.

OK thats my rant.

L~Cat, if you're going to the DSO show on Sat. in St. Louis, u won't have to worry about any of that stuff. The Pageant is a smoke-free venue. They also allow re-entry at the Pageant. Heck, u can even bring in your own food inside the Pageant. Also, the balcony will be open for the show.

[Guest L~Cat]

Broad Shoulders....It ain't La Jolla that's for sure...Early February not the ideal time to visit Chi-Town...Unless shrinkage is your goal..Still my favorite City in the country and it's not real close. F New York I say that with respect. Nice job at the Super Bowl. I like Eli.

yes, you are right - I did make quite a generalization- actually I felt safe, so I didn't mean rough in that regard but people sure do need to smile more. I walked past many many people on the streets and I'm not sure I saw one smile or nod. Very philly like. Also the energy in the vic was definitely rough- very stoic crowd until more folks got a little lubricated.

L~Cat, if you're going to the DSO show on Sat. in St. Louis, u won't have to worry about any of that stuff. The Pageant is a smoke-free venue. They also allow re-entry at the Pageant. Heck, u can even bring in your own food inside the Pageant. Also, the balcony will be open for the show.

Would love to get to the pageant as there will be a few folks there I would love to see and I've always heard such great things about the venue. But alas, I am back in california and also pretty happy about that. Lots of shows coming up here over the next several weeks and then our friends will be here at the end of March.

Have a great time!