chicago

the chicago theatre is one of the most beautiful venues I’ve ever seen, much less played. it feels like a real honor to be there. I wandered around inspecting frescos and chandeliers and private balcony boxes while neko soundchecked. I adore chicago, and wistfully walked around downtown, snacking on a polish sausage and wishing I could figure out how to live there half the year. the union guys working at the venue make everything a little more complex than it needs to be (I mean, seriously. I am capable of lifting a guitar and moving a monitor, but I’m not allowed because they have seven dudes onstage who need to do something to justify their $40/hr wages), but the shows runs smoothly and sounds great. we got tim up to play piano on ‘this tornado loves you’, so we finally have the whole band for the song (plus a special appearance by the lovely and talented nora o’connor). I went for a nightcap at the hideout with some old friends and tried not to wake the rest of the band when I snuck back into the hotel at 3 am.