Weekend in Chicago

[shimsham]

I would be interested to hear how others who traveled, rearranged the "lost-weekend" in Chicago, and got their needed music fix. Wife & I traveled from Ariz. determined to make the best of a disappointing situation.

Our experience:
1) Thurs night: Broken Social Scene at Vic Theatre - have seen them  4 previous times. Great band, but they were a tad off their game. Current female vocalist seemed to be suffuring some sort of anxiety episode or something. Kevin took issue with drummer at one point, but mended things. Not the stellar finish they usually work up to, but still a fun show.

2) Fri night: Couldn't find a worthy show (???), so we opted for a semi-gourmet meal in the big city. Nice change-up since major meal out is never an option on night of a "special show".

3) Sat night: Back to the Vic for Cold War Kids where we had no problem snagging tickets for this sold-out show. It came down to tough decision between this and Kooks/ Whigs at the Riviera. Very tempted by chance to experience another of Chicago's historic R&R theatres, but ultimately couldn't patronize the undercard act that seem to have no qualm with shamelessly taking the moniker of one of the best acts to come out of the 90s. Honestly, could an upstart band get away with calling themselves "the stones", but I digress. COLD WAR KIDS were great! Will definitely look for any opp to catch them again.

Oh yeah, and we enjoyed the weather, the architecture cruise (thanks to recommendations from other post), and the half-doz dive bars / sport bars we spent time in. We definitely succeeded in making the best of it.  :)

[capt. scotty]

I got CWK's debut a year or so ago, and liked it, but a little disappointed

As most, I got it after hearing 'hang me out to dry' and most of the album sounds nothing like it. That said, there are 3-4 songs just as good as it, just different, and overall Id prob give the album around 3.5/5

However, I heard clips of their new one, and it sounded like garbage compared to their debut

Either way, glad you made the best out of your CHI-town experience!! Looks like Ill probably sell me tix, so im a little bummed, but I might be doing it so I can go to NYC for NYE

[ALady]

Funny, I always thought the Whigs were ripping off a 19th century political party.   ::)  In all seriousness, the Whigs are a fantastic band; I'd recommend checking them out if you get the chance!

Glad you were able to make the most of your trip!