Reports from Chicago Sunday Show???

[MrBananaGrabber]

I really must echo a few of the previous comments.

1. Two 2 1/2 hour shows in a row are indeed exhausting, especially when the you spend the first one in the pit, including encore with arms on stage in front of Carl. I'm pretty sure my neck snapped during Off the Record on Saturday, leaving me with little to no neck movement for the next 4 1/2 hours of their performance.

2. I'm worried that Chicago is developing a reputation for sleepy/talkative crowds. These shows were no exception, and Thom Yorke literally told us to wake up during Radiohead's performance at Lollapalooza. Goddamn Chicago, shut the fuck up and dance!!!

That being said, the shows were legendary. Phone Went West was particularly glorious, as was TWTHS the first night. Second night Cobra was my highlight of the weekend, incredible ending, At Dawn and Look at You were tearjerkers. Amazing weekend, I couldn't have asked for more. Have fun at MSG ya'll!!!

[Bob Loblaw]

I really must echo a few of the previous comments.

2. I'm worried that Chicago is developing a reputation for sleepy/talkative crowds. These shows were no exception, and Thom Yorke literally told us to wake up during Radiohead's performance at Lollapalooza. Goddamn Chicago, shut the fuck up and dance!!!

In my mind it's final.  Chicago crowds fu@king suck.  Now don't get me wrong, it's not everyone, but as they say, it only takes a few bad seeds...  I've been to shows (granted not all MMJ) in Chicago, Milwaukee, Alpine Valley, Kansas City, St. Louis, Dallas, Austin, Virginia Beach etc. and Chicago is the worst.  Too cool for school.  You either have people that are completely disinterested or out of control drunk idiots.  From now on my venue of choice will be anywhere but Chicago.  Being a resident here, I guess that means a lot of trips to Milwaukee.  Fine by me.

To all of those that rocked, whether in your seat or on your feet, most likely everyone that's on this board, this is not at all directed to you.  To all of you a$$hole$, you fu@king suck!

[ALady]

Clearly you have never seen a show in Portland.   ;D  


I have no complaints about the crowds this weekend, and I am loath to condemn all Chicago crowds based on a few dull apples!  Personally, I love an energetic, dancey, enthusiastic crowd, because I believe that bands feel that energy and feed off it.  

But everyone enjoys a show in their own way, and there's nothing you can do about that.  There were some sort of uninterested-looking people in front of us, and a gaggle of screaming high school girls behind us, but the kids were pretty damn hardcore and sang along to all the songs, even the more obscure ones, so kudos to them!  

[tjd]

For the few complaining about Chicago...I don't know where you were sitting.  Everybody by me were completely into it...dancing, singing, etc.

I've been to concerts in many cities and you will always have people talking and being disrespectful.  I'm not defending any of the idiots...I wish people would grow up....especially the ones blowing weed toward my pregnant wife's direction (get high before the concert and respect the people around you!).  BUT you can't stereotype Chicago; I've experienced it everywhere.  

...with that said....EXCELLENT show and great set.

[Salacious D]

As far as the Chicago crowds--on the floor Sunday night--folks around me were rocking out (but that was largely due to the magnetic moves of MsYvon, who I was lucky enough to be standing next to for the whole show!).  Saturday was a bit more subdued--but I was up in the balcony.

I don't know why more people weren't getting down-- I was just happy to be there.

[rnrkat]

I agree with ALADY..of course there are always going to be people that aren't into a band as much as you are but one thing that I truly hate is people that are talking during a show. If you want to talk go out into the lobby!  I have actually asked people to shut up....most of the time it works. I try to ignore everybody around me and I focus on the band and the music......And one more thing....why is it that every time I go to a show (and I go to alot) there's always a taller person standing right in front of me..I think they should sell tickets based on height! Just kidding.

[SmoothOprtr]

Now the big question... where can I get a copy of last night's masterpiece...?

[Bob Loblaw]

I have no complaints about the crowds this weekend, and I am loath to condemn all Chicago crowds based on a few dull apples! 

Really?  No complaints that Jim was cut off mid-sentence right in the middle of a beautiful thought?  That thoroughly pissed me off.  I wouldn't be talking so much trash but that was the straw that broke this camel's back.

[SmoothOprtr]

I don't think he was cut off... I think he was rambling and reached a dead end in an off the wall comparison...

[ALady]

I have no complaints about the crowds this weekend, and I am loath to condemn all Chicago crowds based on a few dull apples!

Really?  No complaints that Jim was cut off mid-sentence right in the middle of a beautiful thought?  That thoroughly pissed me off.  I wouldn't be talking so much trash but that was the straw that broke this camel's back.

Yeah, that was a bummer for sure, but not much you can do about it, unfortunately.  And I don't think the yappers in Chicago were any kind of anomaly in terms of their overall yappiness.

Crowds are a tricky thing.  I love the energy, but it's hard to find a good balance sometimes - are they singing along, but singing too loud?  Dancing, but bumping into people and spilling their beer?  Being respectful during the quiet songs, but not cheering loud enough between songs?  It's so rare you'll find a "perfect" crowd.

I recommend a good pair of earplugs (http://www.earlove.net/); not only do you protect your hearing, they filter out a lot of the crowd chatter   8-)

[rnrkat]

I didn't that he was cut-off by the crowd...if JJ thought the crowd cut him off or was rude I think that he would have said something back.

[tjd]

agree with smooth operator.  I love when bands talk to the audience, but it is  so hard to understand.  Do all lead singers mumble or is it the acoustics?  What did Jim say about Perfect Strangers?  I heard him mention Cousin Larry and Belki, but couldn't make out the rest.  

[Bob Loblaw]

He was talking about how in the credits for Perfect Strangers, Larry and Balki walk by the Chicago Theater on their way to Larry's workplace, the Tribune; just one of the many ways in which the theater we were in was historic (jokingly).

I hope I'm wrong about him being cutoff but I was in the first row outside of the pit all the way on Carl's side.  I could understand almost everything Jim was saying so I don't think I am.  He was talking about the beauty in the curves of the architecture and how he believes it's closer to the reality of God than the linear world we live in.  He went on to discuss how he thinks it would look like the inside of our brains.  Everytime we learn something new a new molecule is formed on our brain and for those that are constantly learning, the physical appearance of their brain is always changing and for those with a wealth of wisdom, he could see their brain being intricate, beautiful and very curvatious (sp?) like the beautiful, historic building we were in last night.  Of course, I'm paraphrasing.

[ycartrob]

were people smoking?

[ALady]

Yep, that's pretty much what I heard too, Mr. Loblaw.  

[Bob Loblaw]

were people smoking?

Not like I expected them too.  I hit the bat a few times.

[rnrkat]

I was in the pit for Saturdays show and a guy two rows back from me (stage left, house right) got kicked out for smoking(it smelled really good too) and last night I was in the 6th row on Carl's side and I didn't see anyone around me smoking but there was a security guy two rows up.
I took care of that business right before I headed inside plus then the shrooms took effect...ahhhhhhhhh

[McPickie]

Word. Sunday was the bomb. I drove from jersey on saturday morning to see the saturday show and had to drive back on Sunday for work today. It was brutal, but oh so worth it. Sunday just rocked on 8,000 levels.

I was worried about the set lists. Yea, I'm a set list punk, and proud of it. I don't cry when I don't get the songs I want, i just get frustrated when a band I see often that has sooooo many songs they can play, chooses to play the same 25 of 30 songs every night. I get why they do it, I get that they are supporting an album. I'm just selfish.

After the Evil Urges/Greatest Hits of Saturday night, I was worried. I will doubt them no more. Sunday couldn't have been more different. IWSYS, Sooner, Cobra, Steam Engine DAYUM! so so good.

There were other differences between the two nights. You could definitely sense the rust on Saturday. They seemed more confident on Sunday. You could also sense Jim was sore on Sunday from rocking on Saturday, he danced around much less spastically on Sunday.

I thought the crowd was fine. I met cool people sitting near me on both nights, just happy to be there.

The Sunday show was an epic set list. Steam Engine, fucking perfect.

New Years is going to melt some serious face.

[ALady]

You drove from Jersey?!  Good lord, you rock.  That's some dedication!

[stevenflow1989]

Awesome show. Just got back into Michigan. I can't believe more people aren't talking about Nashville to Kentucky, it was amazing, and the sax solo sounded unreal, it was perfect. My friend doesn't like sax in rock music ( :( ) but he even thought it was amazing.

This was my second MMJ show i've been to, the first being the Detroit show earlier this year. Both amazing but so different. I was lucky to have front row in Detroit and feel pure energy like never before, and for Sunday's show I was able to witness the amazing work they do with the lights. Holy shit. It reminded me a lot of the Okonokos DVD. All in all awesome, may have to comment more later when I'm not so sleepy.