*** Chicago, IL 2 Fanviews Here 8.31.24 ***

TenJams said:

I try not to rate shows, either in the moment or right afterwards.  Very hard not to love this double bill.

My wife is the best judge of how good a show was based on my reaction a few days later.  She’s never seen me like this for so many days in a row post show.  It’s like a drug that just doesn’t fade, and I want to ride it as long as possible. 

So I know, this was two incredible, never to be forgotten shows.

Jason P said:

Wow!  What a show.  Getting to see PJ is always a treat and seeing the band playing a “hometown” show really had the band in high spirits.  And the message that Ed hammered home throughout the show … Gratitude … is something that I have really been focusing on as of late.  Like most of us at this stage in our lives, God’s Dice have probably rolled snake eyes more than once … maybe for ourselves or a loved one … but most certainly the dreaded snake eyes have shown they can strike any day, at any time.  It is so, so important to really embrace gratitude.

Gratitude for a healthy day.  Gratitude for friendships old, new, those lost and those re-kindled.  Gratitude for a boring day and realizing that you would give and trade anything for that boring day when those dreaded snake eyes come up.  Gratitude for PJ still being with us and still playing at such a high level.

Gratitude for having absolute perfect weather for a Saturday night show in the windy city.  I made sure to get there early to catch Glen play his entire set after seeing only the last few songs in Indy.  His band are true musicians.  I was able to briefly meet him and most the band afterwards and it was nice to be able to thank them for their performance.

Garden was a surprise opener … took me a few musical bars to figure out the song as it isn’t a traditional opener.  Porch really got the crowd going and the energy carried through the next few songs that were more somber and focused on the word of the night, gratitude. 

All Night really got the crowd back into the game and carried into the next several songs and I thought really helped pump the Dark Matter portion of the set.  Mike is always fire, but the two shows I’ve seen for the DM tour have really pushed him to the top of his game.  I think DM really helped showcase his talents more than any studio album or recent memory.

In Hiding is always a treat and RVM helped carry the energy through the long 60 second encore break (ha!) 

Smile had me smiling and crying … a lot of emotion that I’ve been suppressing recently was released during that song.  Jeremy was a song I hadn’t heard live in decades and a treat. 

Little Wing was the cherry on top of the caramel sundae for me.  My white whale that I hadn’t seen in quite some time and one I’m always praying to see again.  My goal is to be able to play that at Mike’s level. 

Thank you PJ.  I have so much gratitude for the band and what they have given to us.  Peace!