*** Chicago, IL 1 Fanviews Here 9/5/23 ***

Hopped Up

I thought the energy in the arena was great. From the back of the 100s I would look up and people were standing all the way to the top of the 300s. I was thinking having so many 10C tickets is maybe allowing them the freedom to do set lists like this. It was incredible. I had such a big smile from In My Tree to RVM! Surrender was fun to end it. TYAAM for the family living in his grandma’s place was amazing. NFY late in encore was perfect. Inside Job is always an fave. And Retrograde to transition from seated to standing was fantastic. So many gems and Ed was effusive the whole night - clearly happy to be back “home.” I was at Wrigley in 2013 and 2016 but liked the arena feel even more last night (even though sound at UC sucks). 

Indifference71

That was a lot of fun.  Great setlist....RVM was incredible.  Only negative was half of my section in 209 was sitting down.  Kinda kills the vibe a bit.  Don't get how you could sit at a PJ show.  Oh well, still had a great time.

static111

Got to see Ed play Surrender with Cheap Trick when they opened for PJ in Detroit in 98.  It was great, would love to see this as a full band cover.  How was it?

wwsuicide

hrd2imgn said:

A real cool security  guard hooked me up!  Thanks man!

Nice!  Congrats!

elvistheking44

If Even Flow is your bathroom break song you missed a scorching version last night. To me the only song that missed was Gods Dice.  Such a great show, the story of Ed’s grandmothers house was awesome! So much fun last night.

shmap

PJNB said:

Amazing show. This is the type of set that takes the worry off of the shorter sets. Surprise after surprise and it flowed so well. No clue how they top this tomorrow night. 

Highlights for me 

Release
Faithful
Light Years 
In My Tree
RVM for Frans!

Inside Job 

Couldn't have said it better. A setlist of curveballs!

I was in a seated floor section, and was disappointed to see so many people recording the show most of the night. If I can't see the stage, I'd rather it be because people are up and engaged, not holding their arms in the air for a video. 

HailHailVitalogy

Wanted to add. My buddy and I got to sit next to Frans’ friends in section 120, and they got one hell of a version.
The crowd did seem a little off, Faithful and Animal were a little different….but that was absolutely insane last night. Not For You at the end was SO good. In My Tree and Comatose were curve balls. I was just hoping it wasn’t going to be Who You Are 🤣 and that version of IMT was fire.
Best setlist post-covid.

lastexitlondon

static111 said:

Got to see Ed play Surrender with Cheap Trick when they opened for PJ in Detroit in 98.  It was great, would love to see this as a full band cover.  How was it?It's on you tube already!

keenanite

Awesome show. This was show 16 for me and I was able to hear In My Tree for the first time which was a treat. The setlist had so many great surprises that it's hard to know where to start. They continue to sound amazing and have to be considered one of the best live bands of all time (if not the best).

Having now seen them two shows in a row (St. Paul 2 and Chicago 1), it's notable how much Eddie is connecting with the crowd and really being quite effusive about his gratitude and appreciation for the PJ community. And it's been really interesting to hear the stories and use of the projector to show pictures of people that have meant a lot to him. Really cool to hear the story in St. Paul about the boy, Charlie, who suffered from epidermolysis bullosa as well as the stories and pictures last night about his Great Aunt Sandy who passed away recently and the great story about going to his grandmother's old apartment and meeting the people outside and current owner (who Eddie invited to the show along with his son who is starting med school this week). In short, it's a really interesting direction that adds a lot more emotion and connection to the shows.

One note about the comparison between St. Paul 2 and Chicago 1. I may be biased as I'm from Minnesota, but I thought the crowd was a bit better in St. Paul. Chicago was great, but I've always wondered if the big cities kind of "expect" something special and are less likely to be overly enthusiastic while crowds in the smaller places that are less frequently played (i.e. Minnesota, Moline, etc.) are so appreciative that they go ape-sh*t the whole night. That's not to knock Chicago at all, but I think there was a stronger crowd vibe in St. Paul.

With all that said, so grateful this amazing band is still playing. Keep rockin' on, everyone. Enjoy the rest of the tour!

dwjmu84

Almost no weak spots in the set list (I’m not a cheap trick fan so the closer fell flat for me - would have preferred RITFW or Baba). Energy from Ed and band was superb and he seemed really, really happy. Certainly a top 5 for me at 20+ shows now. Hope everyone has a blast Thursday. Reality and home call my name.

animus

keenanite said:

Awesome show. This was show 16 for me and I was able to hear In My Tree for the first time which was a treat. The setlist had so many great surprises that it's hard to know where to start. They continue to sound amazing and have to be considered one of the best live bands of all time (if not the best).

Having now seen them two shows in a row (St. Paul 2 and Chicago 1), it's notable how much Eddie is connecting with the crowd and really being quite effusive about his gratitude and appreciation for the PJ community. And it's been really interesting to hear the stories and use of the projector to show pictures of people that have meant a lot to him. Really cool to hear the story in St. Paul about the boy, Charlie, who suffered from epidermolysis bullosa as well as the stories and pictures last night about his Great Aunt Sandy who passed away recently and the great story about going to his grandmother's old apartment and meeting the people outside and current owner (who Eddie invited to the show along with his son who is starting med school this week). In short, it's a really interesting direction that adds a lot more emotion and connection to the shows.

One note about the comparison between St. Paul 2 and Chicago 1. I may be biased as I'm from Minnesota, but I thought the crowd was a bit better in St. Paul. Chicago was great, but I've always wondered if the big cities kind of "expect" something special and are less likely to be overly enthusiastic while crowds in the smaller places that are less frequently played (i.e. Minnesota, Moline, etc.) are so appreciative that they go ape-sh*t the whole night. That's not to knock Chicago at all, but I think there was a stronger crowd vibe in St. Paul.

With all that said, so grateful this amazing band is still playing. Keep rockin' on, everyone. Enjoy the rest of the tour!

As a Minnesotan too, I’m used to sleepy crowds in MN unless it’s more aggressive bands. I was surprised by the crowds this time around. Maybe a lot more 10c members but even the 200 sections seemed into it. The United Center is huge so maybe the diehards were just outnumbered. Also, it was a Tuesday. 

ChadsStillAlive

Jamman0213 said:

Amazing set but the energy was off in the 300s. Not many people on their feet. Heard someone near me threaten violence on a group that were standing up. Same guy complained that they didn't play the "popular songs" as they busted into faithful and later said that they were "playing fake music" during RVM. 

I had some similar BS in my section, although no threats of violence. Sat next to an old school 10C member, yet all he did was complain that the new album sucked and that they should only play the “old stuff”. Still trying to figure out where the cutoff is for old vs. new since he was singing along with Comatose. He also referred to Vs. as the “V.S.” album??? He said Quick Escape wasn’t good simply because it’s on an album he doesn’t like. Mystifying. And most of my section (307) was sitting for the duration. So I loved the setlist, performance, and the bird’s eye view, but it can’t quite compete with my favorite shows due to the vibe around me. That contributes A LOT to a show experience.

troubledsoulsuniteblog

Show 16 for me too! Was such a fun and unique setlist. This was somehow my 5th time seeing Release as an opener. Someone in the merch line told me it's only the 6th time they've opened with Release so either I have good luck or he is very wrong. I've always loved Binaural so getting God's Dice and Light Years was excellent. The encore was the highlight though. Throw Your Arms was mine and my wife's first dance at our wedding, so it was really cool to finally see it (and with her)! Inside Job is such an awesome song that lets the guys really cook; doing Wishlist (instead of Last Kiss) for the turnaround song was great; Not For You is my all time favorite live PJ song and seeing it in the encore was really sweet; and then Better Man into Alive was awesome. I don't love ending on a cover, but they really knocked the socks off Surrender.
We were up in 319 - Mike's side immediately to the side of the stage. Was a great view, but it sounded like Mike's guitar was way too loud in the mix. Could've been our location, but I'm curious if anyone else felt that. Last time I remember it this loud was back in Bristow, VA in 2003 (though they fixed that up in the boot). I could barely hear Stone - except for Alive and his solo in Not For You. Side note - I really love a Stone solo. Sure, Mike's the guitar god and he can shred like few others. But Stone's grooviness is tough to beat and when he launches into that Not For You solo, it's just the best. Ed sounded great, but the dude needs a better teleprompter because he could not remember any lyrics. 
Hopefully they fix the sound mix in the coming shows.
Trying to decide if I get tickets for tomorrow night. Leaning towards yes, but let's see.

EDIT - Forgot to mention the crowd. Up in the 300s, there were lots of hardcore fans, but also lots of people uninterested in the deeper cuts. This is par for the course. There are not too many 90s rock bands who were this big still touring (Foo Fighters, who else?) so anyone born in the 80s is going to go even if they only know Alive and Jeremy. You just gotta make the most of the show and ignore the talkers and sitters.

ChadsStillAlive

troubledsoulsuniteblog said:

Show 16 for me too! Was such a fun and unique setlist. This was somehow my 5th time seeing Release as an opener. Someone in the merch line told me it's only the 6th time they've opened with Release so either I have good luck or he is very wrong. I've always loved Binaural so getting God's Dice and Light Years was excellent. The encore was the highlight though. Throw Your Arms was mine and my wife's first dance at our wedding, so it was really cool to finally see it (and with her)! Inside Job is such an awesome song that lets the guys really cook; doing Wishlist (instead of Last Kiss) for the turnaround song was great; Not For You is my all time favorite live PJ song and seeing it in the encore was really sweet; and then Better Man into Alive was awesome. I don't love ending on a cover, but they really knocked the socks off Surrender.
We were up in 319 - Mike's side immediately to the side of the stage. Was a great view, but it sounded like Mike's guitar was way too loud in the mix. Could've been our location, but I'm curious if anyone else felt that. Last time I remember it this loud was back in Bristow, VA in 2003 (though they fixed that up in the boot). I could barely hear Stone - except for Alive and his solo in Not For You. Side note - I really love a Stone solo. Sure, Mike's the guitar god and he can shred like few others. But Stone's grooviness is tough to beat and when he launches into that Not For You solo, it's just the best.
Trying to decide if I get tickets for tomorrow night. Leaning towards yes, but let's see.

Lol, they’ve opened with Release 149 times: https://livefootsteps.org/stats/

MK88178

Very solid show last night.  Release, low light, just breathe, retrograde was a solid start.  Got to hear all the gigaton songs I wanted to hear.  The Quick escape solos Mike and jeff is fire.  In my tree plus inside job!! I was hoping for 1 more after surrender.  Enjoyed surrender as a closer because of their energy.  Can't wait for Thursdays show.

troubledsoulsuniteblog

ChadsStillAlive said:

troubledsoulsuniteblog said:

Show 16 for me too! Was such a fun and unique setlist. This was somehow my 5th time seeing Release as an opener. Someone in the merch line told me it's only the 6th time they've opened with Release so either I have good luck or he is very wrong. I've always loved Binaural so getting God's Dice and Light Years was excellent. The encore was the highlight though. Throw Your Arms was mine and my wife's first dance at our wedding, so it was really cool to finally see it (and with her)! Inside Job is such an awesome song that lets the guys really cook; doing Wishlist (instead of Last Kiss) for the turnaround song was great; Not For You is my all time favorite live PJ song and seeing it in the encore was really sweet; and then Better Man into Alive was awesome. I don't love ending on a cover, but they really knocked the socks off Surrender.
We were up in 319 - Mike's side immediately to the side of the stage. Was a great view, but it sounded like Mike's guitar was way too loud in the mix. Could've been our location, but I'm curious if anyone else felt that. Last time I remember it this loud was back in Bristow, VA in 2003 (though they fixed that up in the boot). I could barely hear Stone - except for Alive and his solo in Not For You. Side note - I really love a Stone solo. Sure, Mike's the guitar god and he can shred like few others. But Stone's grooviness is tough to beat and when he launches into that Not For You solo, it's just the best.
Trying to decide if I get tickets for tomorrow night. Leaning towards yes, but let's see.

Lol, they’ve opened with Release 149 times: https://livefootsteps.org/stats/

That's what I thought! The guy said this was his 50th show so I gave him the benefit of the doubt. 
Thanks for the clarification.

ChadsStillAlive

troubledsoulsuniteblog said:

ChadsStillAlive said:

troubledsoulsuniteblog said:

Show 16 for me too! Was such a fun and unique setlist. This was somehow my 5th time seeing Release as an opener. Someone in the merch line told me it's only the 6th time they've opened with Release so either I have good luck or he is very wrong. I've always loved Binaural so getting God's Dice and Light Years was excellent. The encore was the highlight though. Throw Your Arms was mine and my wife's first dance at our wedding, so it was really cool to finally see it (and with her)! Inside Job is such an awesome song that lets the guys really cook; doing Wishlist (instead of Last Kiss) for the turnaround song was great; Not For You is my all time favorite live PJ song and seeing it in the encore was really sweet; and then Better Man into Alive was awesome. I don't love ending on a cover, but they really knocked the socks off Surrender.
We were up in 319 - Mike's side immediately to the side of the stage. Was a great view, but it sounded like Mike's guitar was way too loud in the mix. Could've been our location, but I'm curious if anyone else felt that. Last time I remember it this loud was back in Bristow, VA in 2003 (though they fixed that up in the boot). I could barely hear Stone - except for Alive and his solo in Not For You. Side note - I really love a Stone solo. Sure, Mike's the guitar god and he can shred like few others. But Stone's grooviness is tough to beat and when he launches into that Not For You solo, it's just the best.
Trying to decide if I get tickets for tomorrow night. Leaning towards yes, but let's see.

Lol, they’ve opened with Release 149 times: https://livefootsteps.org/stats/

That's what I thought! The guy said this was his 50th show so I gave him the benefit of the doubt. 
Thanks for the clarification.

Some of these “experts” are, erm…not so much.

maxdgold

For as much fun as I had at the St Paul shows, I have so much jealousy / FOMO from that setlist. Holy shit. 

BloodMeridian80

troubledsoulsuniteblog said:

ChadsStillAlive said:

troubledsoulsuniteblog said:

Show 16 for me too! Was such a fun and unique setlist. This was somehow my 5th time seeing Release as an opener. Someone in the merch line told me it's only the 6th time they've opened with Release so either I have good luck or he is very wrong. I've always loved Binaural so getting God's Dice and Light Years was excellent. The encore was the highlight though. Throw Your Arms was mine and my wife's first dance at our wedding, so it was really cool to finally see it (and with her)! Inside Job is such an awesome song that lets the guys really cook; doing Wishlist (instead of Last Kiss) for the turnaround song was great; Not For You is my all time favorite live PJ song and seeing it in the encore was really sweet; and then Better Man into Alive was awesome. I don't love ending on a cover, but they really knocked the socks off Surrender.
We were up in 319 - Mike's side immediately to the side of the stage. Was a great view, but it sounded like Mike's guitar was way too loud in the mix. Could've been our location, but I'm curious if anyone else felt that. Last time I remember it this loud was back in Bristow, VA in 2003 (though they fixed that up in the boot). I could barely hear Stone - except for Alive and his solo in Not For You. Side note - I really love a Stone solo. Sure, Mike's the guitar god and he can shred like few others. But Stone's grooviness is tough to beat and when he launches into that Not For You solo, it's just the best.
Trying to decide if I get tickets for tomorrow night. Leaning towards yes, but let's see.

Lol, they’ve opened with Release 149 times: https://livefootsteps.org/stats/

That's what I thought! The guy said this was his 50th show so I gave him the benefit of the doubt. 
Thanks for the clarification.

Maybe 6th time in Chicago?

sissonp33

BloodMeridian80 said:

troubledsoulsuniteblog said:

That's what I thought! The guy said this was his 50th show so I gave him the benefit of the doubt. 
Thanks for the clarification.

Maybe 6th time in Chicago?

It’s the third time I’ve seen Release as an opener out of my five Chicago shows over the years, so that sounds like it might make sense.