(Taken from the Support-System.)
I just got back from of the University of Chicago show. I thought it was good overall, Liz seemed really happy and the band was even tighter than the last time I saw her (at the Vic in Chicago last fall). She said it was "such a pleasure" to be there, and that it was her birthday....
The opening band was just okay (David Mead). My friends and I thought he sounded alot like Squeeze. They played for too long though.
The crowd was very U of C, that is sort of hippie/nerdy. Mandel Hall seats about 900, but we got there fairly early and we were able to sit about 5th row. There was a sizable pit in front of the stage, very crowded.
Liz was wearing a tight white halter top and red pants or skirt (couldn't see her bottom half). Her hair was sort of wild looking.
She smiled all through the show and seemed to be enjoying the crowds reaction to her. She played for 1 1/2 hours, with one 3 song encore.
Partial set list from memory (not in order):
Flower
She began Flower by saying: this song got me in alot of trouble. She played the slower version, with her backup singer beginning
alone, and Liz coming in with the contrasting vocals.
Cinco de Mayo
Divorce Song
Go On Ahead
She introduced Go on Ahead by saying it was one on the more personal songs to her from WCSE.
Uncle Alvarez
Vocals on Uncle Alvarez were a little shaky on the high parts.
Perfect World
Slightly different version of Perfect World, it seemed more passionate to me than it does on the album. I always thought of the song as rather floaty and detached, but she sang it very emotionally.
6'1"
Chopsticks (she opened with this)
Mesmerizing
Supernova
Stratford
New Song (Firewalker?)
New Song: Don't Apologize
This song seems to me to be directly influenced by the old song by The Knack called Frustrated. Does anyone remember that song?
White Chocolate Space Egg
At one point ( I think it was during the encore) someone yelled out for Bloodkeeper. She said: Blood what? Hey, this is really weird, some people have access to songs that never even left the studio. Someone must be in there with a microphone. But, that's a good thing, because I can't remember anything, so as long as someone has a record of it.... Then she gave a thumbs up.
At the beginning of the encore, the crowd sang Happy Birthday to her and she motioned with her hands to increase participation. Her backup singer came out with a cake and Liz blew out all the candles. In all, very enjoyable show, mainly because Liz seemed so relaxed and happy to be there. I thought the best song technically was Supernova, which also got the biggest crowd reaction. Totally worth my 8 bucks! (I managed to scam student price tickets) Sorry if I left out any songs from the set list...