hey everyone,
i just got back from seeing liz in dekalb, il. overall, i thought the show was "o.k.". IMHO, it wasn't long enough. she only played for an hour. i don't know. maybe i'm spoiled. who knows? i think the redeeming aspect of the show was the fact that i heard 2 more new songs. the first one was entitled "firewalker" and the second one went unnamed. but both were good, rocking tunes. can't wait for her to put those on her new cd (crossing my fingers).
the room was about 1/2 full. i got there about 7:20 and started to feel really bad for liz, considering only about 200-300 people were there for a 7:30 start (capacity of the room had to be over 2000 - at the very least!) when everyone finally filed in, i'd say there were about 1000 people there.........
a definite highlight of the night was liz's revealing outfit! :) she was wearing a pink spaghetti strapped top with white trim. let's just say that this top was "very revealing" and "thin" :) diskoboy23 and i were very happy! :) lol.......i think all of the 18-30 year old males in the crowd were pleased as well! :) then, on top of all that, during mesmerizing, liz pulled her hair back and did a little seductive dance that made me blush! all i'm trying to say is that she looked great!
setlist included: (not all inclusive and definately not in order)
chopsticks
firewalker
other new song
dance of the seven veils
flower (not the same magic w/o Katie Brown) :)
Polyester Bride
Uncle Alvarez
WCSE
johnny feelgood
6'1" (funny moment - liz fucked up the beginning of the song and realized it when she began to sing the same line twice. she said, "shit! i forgot the words to my own song! (or something to that extent)
never said
cinco de mayo
fuck and run
divorce song
supernova
perfect world
sorry, that's all i could remember.
in case everyone wanted to know, liz performed with a complete band. buddy the guitarist was there, along with janet and the keyboardist. i believe the drummer and bassist were not the same people who were with her earlier. does anyone know why? was there a falling out with those two? just wondering......
not meaning to sound like a total addict, but i think a main reason i didn't like the dekalb show as much as the other liz shows was because the hall had a "no smoking" law. normally, i see those signs and say, "screw it". c'mon, usually, nobody actually obeys those damn postings. for some odd reason, the students of northern illinois university DO! so, i decided to respect the people around me. well, sort of. i did light up a cigarette and took 2 drags off it. to me, it's not a concert unless i could smoke or drink (neither was permitted at the show). well, i guess i do sound a little like an addict! :)
WOW!!!! I smuggled my camera and my tape recorder in on my mom, but thesecurity there tonight was very jumpy! I was standing next to a narc, theentire time! ARGH!!! It would have been one to tape! She FORGOT THE WORDShalfway through 6'1 : ) IT was the coolest thing ever! She's like, "Shit!Yes, Even I forget the words to my own songs" and then found her place and kept going. She's licked this stagefright thing. I will warn anyone that goes, the opening band sucks hard. The guy is like Chris Isaacs singing loungey music in swinger suits. It's really really bad. They played for 45 minutes, and then the roadies took a half an hour to set up liz : ( BUT! when she came on it was worth it. The setlist was:
chopsticks
fuck and run
johnny f
mesmerixing
cinco
flower
firewalker (new song)
never said
6'1
seven veils
alvarex
new rock (it's a new song, too. "falling out of bed" was in the chorus, i think, but all that it says on the setlist i got some security guy to get for me on the stage *beam* is "new rock".)
poly bride
supernova
whitchoc
- ---
perfect world
divorce song
my mother liked her. we both got shirts. i dig my mother a whole lot more now : ) Anyway! Liz kicked major behind, and she seemed really happy : ) Great concert.....except for the i-cannot-tell-you-how-bad opening act. if anybody taped it, let me know : ( i was so ready to, but i was scared they'd take it away from me. they *almost* found the camera and recorder in my mom's purse, but the girl's like, "whatever" cause it was a mom, i think. SO close!
This is just a short little response to the Dekalb show that I was fortunate enough to attend. First off, I agree with everyone that the opening act did blow chunks and sucked ass at the same time. The guy's name is David Mead so beware! Oh, they weren't creative enough apparently to think of a band name...or so they say. Anyway, that being my first Liz concert, I thought it was worth the 4 hour drive I made to get there on a monday night. I thought they sounded good. There were a few mistakes but considering that it's early in the tour, it's expected and besides, it made the show even better. I think it will get cleaner and smoother for later shows which is a shame (in some ways) for later shows. The only bad things I can say about the show are about the big tall guy in front of me that kept swaying (dammit, I'm only 5'7"!) and the 12yo girls who were acting very 12 years old! Well, I have to get ready for my Liz encore performance tonight in Iowa City! Whoo hoo! Heck, if the grinell show is going down, I might go to that too. Hope to see some of you there. I'll be the short fucking oriental singing along to the songs. =) Peace out \/
hey all-
i went to the liz show in dekalb too. i was right in the front center. i was the one screaming for carnivore and when she finally heard me she said that that is the one song that shes written that she forgot how to play:( but hey, she responded to me...
i listened really carefully during firewalker so i could remember the chorus and post it for you all, in case you care:
I can grow
Despite all you know
you may not recognize me tomorrow
yes I can change
despite all they say
become something strange and beautiful
at least im pretty sure thats how the chorus went. the song totally rocked!
well, thats my input on the show. she should have played longer though :(
adios,
katie
wow my first post , im really excited! anyway, i saw liz in Dekalb and firewalker better be on her next album or ill freak because that song was excellent. hppy b-day Liz by the way my b-day is Apr 17 too i feel blessed. if someone is really selling Girlie sounds I would like in on that action because now one in my parts seems to know anything about them. Quick question : whipsmart came out right after eig, but them we had to wait 4 years for the next one would you support systemers rather have liz come out with a new album this year if it meant you had to wait another 4 for the next one? or would you rather she come out with an album every two years? just a question
I was at DeKalb as well and thought it was so incredible that there were so few people there. Actually it was nice for those of us who were there because we were able to experience an intimate show, laid back, with Liz goofin' around. I much prefer small shows to the stadium yawners. How on earth can you feel the music at a stadium show. I'd compare seeing Liz in DeKalb to seeing Smashing Pumpkins at a small bar no longer in business in Madison. The way music should be seen.
Anyway, I agree with what others have written. Liz rocked, although I was smitten with her shyness. I agree she was comfortable on stage, but found it charming that after each song she'd smile at us like she couldn't believe we liked her and her music. Very cute.
I concur on her blouse or lack there of. Very, shall we say, revealing. But hey, what away to say "there's nothing between me and my audience." Very cool move.
David Mead did suck. It was the most excruciating opening band I've ever had to endure and I've seen over 100 shows in my three decades.
Liz sure strikes a vibe in my life. Would have loved to try to meet her afterword but had to leave town for a business meeting at 9 the next morning two state away. The sacrifices we make for our music. Best to you all.
T-shirts: They had the red regular male or female wcse t- shirts, and three girl shirts - a white baby t with the exile cover on the front, a grey tank top with the eig dancing people on it, and a navy blue long sleeve low cut shirt that said liz phair on the front in pink and white. They were all $20 bucks each.
The security was really tight. I took a camera and tape recorder, and forgot them both in the car. I was glad. They seriously patted me around the waist and then hips to ankles and made me dump everything out of my pockets. It was like being at the airport. And if you'd seen the crowd... it was out in farm country... do they have those problems out there?
Any way, I just wanted to share that DeKalb rocked. What a great show. She had an opening band - who started late. They were pretty good though. They said that they are going to be touring with Liz, so expect an opening band.
Liz looked great. She had on a black tight pants and a see thru tank top with white straps -yes, it was see-thru, thank you very much =). The band consisted of: the drummer, Buddy, Janet, and I think one or two other guys playing guitar or bass - couldn't see them really well to tell if they were techies or playing the instruments - sorry I'm only 5 2 and all of these tall guys were first row center.
Songs she played, not in order: (I know I'll forget something, forgive me) Chopsticks, Cinco de Mayo, Flower, Johnny Sunshine, Johnny Feelgood, Polyester Bride, 6 1, Fuck and Run, two new songs - Firewalker and another one that really rocked but I don't know the name - something about falling out of bed/emotions/being dangerous, Supernova, whitechocolatespaceegg, Uncle Alvarez, and encore: Divorce Song and Perfect World.
She kept screwing up the lyrics - for Johnny Sunshine and I don't remember - but another song. She even joked about it "You'd think I know the lyrics for my own songs." Which was really cute and funny. She made a comment about how it's her birthday in a few days, so I assume she's looking forward to it.
Someone requested Carnivore and she said that it's really complicated and she can't remember how to play it.
It was a really excellent show, well worth the 6 hours I drove to see it. =)
Go see her if you have a chance. I was going to skip this tour 'cuz I've seen her so many times this year, but am really glad I went.
Did anyone tape the show? I'd be happy to trade or send you something else Liz-related. Thanks!
- -Janet