Way back whenever it was tickets went on sale, I was thrilled to see one of the few special small venue Muse shows was in Chicago! My travel budget is limited, but Chicago is always the easy one to get to with my sister in the South Loop. I recall it was moderately stressful to get the ticket, involving persistence & refreshing, but at least the price didn't skyrocket. At that time we'd already heard 3 or 4 singles from the Will of the People album, and they all rocked hard, so we were excitedly waiting for the album release Aug, 26 and this fall mini-tour.
Muser coordination was tested, but rose to the challenges in getting people to Chicago, and to the queue. By dumb luck, it turned out Catherine was taking the same train to Chicago as me. It was wonderful to have a chance to catch up and also to know who was sitting next to me, because there have been some characters on this route.
Chicago, South Loop
As usual, Mandy Elizabeth was my guide for figuring how I wanted to queue. I am still very COVID cautious and was having mixed feelings about going for the barrier where I expected people to be packed in tight. I'd had my bivalent booster though, so I decided to give myself a chance at it and we settled on early morning arrival. We thought the venue might boot folks off the street at night anyway.
As it turned out, they didn't, and the queue that started Monday night held with Catherine at no. 10, More of us waited until morning; Mandy was 39 and messaged to check on me, Kyiia also checked up on me, good to have all these folks looking out for the elderly! I was en route and ended up at 46. It was a pleasant sunny morning of sharing snacks and catching up until Mandy's car got towed thanks to ambiguous signage. While she dealt with that, we held spots and took turns getting food, and by afternoon the rain started. It rained steadily until doors, making it a bit harder to run around and chat with folks.
Morning queue
We had kept our order, but as happens all too often, the venue messed it up by opening multiple entries and letting people rush them. So I am not sure if I would have had a much better spot anyway, but found myself on the very far left edge of the barrier in front of speakers. I could not see well and it was a bad camera angle, so I was about to go look for Amy Blaschke at the bar when I saw Crystal at the second barrier, one level up. I could see much better there, and people weren't shoving, they even let me make one last bathroom run. I decided the merch line was too long though, and that it was too much to ask them to hold it that long. Most people who had queued ahead of me, including Mandy, seem to have managed barrier spots. Soon the opening act, Brigitte Calls Me Baby, were on. They were a good, high energy opener, I'd say kind of a retro rock style. The lead singer had a good voice and charisma. Found out later they have a new album out, but if I had to guess, I would think they have not been together long.
Brigitte Calls Me Baby
Then we found Wendy, Lisa, and Melodie were also back by the soundboard, but we were good with our spot. It would have been hard to move then anyway. After what seemed like a long wait, especially when I could glimpse Matt in the wings bouncing around with his guitar, Muse went straight into their new in-your-face banger We Are Fucking Fucked. Center of the 2nd barrier was great for viewing, but my phone camera struggled with the extra distance. Anyhow, we were all ready to be jumping!
Video from a fan in the balcony, Max Griffith.
Amy Philips was in a much better spot for photography on the first barrier,
Muse by Amy Phillips
Muse by Amy Phillips
The band really seemed happy to be there, despite some technical difficulties. I don't know TJ but they are a hero for getting the entire gig on YouTube!
Though I had felt stiff before the show started, I spent most of it bouncing /singing along, with occasional pauses to try to get photos or video. I believe this was my first time hearing the full version of Assassin, and I know it was the first time for Space Dementia live.
Matt playing Space Dementia
The band really seemed to be feeling the love from the crowd, especially Matt during Starlight.
by Amy Phillips
by me
The encore break seemed a bit long too, but no way would they leave without doing Kill or be Killed AND Knights of Cydonia. Epic ending to an epic show!
the Wolstenbeest
The setlist, for posterity.
Not sure who took this, got it via Wendy, this really did feel like a family reunion!
Most of my Musers, a few are missing...
The original plan to try to find a GF restaurant didn't happen as the closest one was too far. Most folks wanted to head back to the hotel where they were staying. I was getting whiny about needing to rehydrate, but luckily spotted a case of sealed water bottles abandoned near the back of where the queue had been, so I grabbed one.
The Guesthouse Hotel was really cool, very much more like staying at someone's house than a normal hotel. In fact, the kitchen area looked like it had the same designer as my sister's place! After a bite to eat, one StrawberryRita, and a whole lot more water, I called a Lyft, Some people did need to travel early the next day, my train was later in the day, but I figured getting my evening cal/mag supplement would also head off leg cramps. Geez I sound like an old fart! but I guess I am, 63 in December.
I had time to refuel and even go for a quick walk in the morning and my sister got me to the station in plenty of time. This time there WERE characters on the train! An older guy in my coach was some kind of evangelical Christian who also thought he was a comedian, emphasis on thought! Then when I went to the café car, an Amish woman approached the staff for help. Turned out there was a drunk couple making out in the lounge car, so the conductors had to go break it up. Luckily the train was on time, so I was soon home with my kitty boys, good memories. and another show in February to look forward to.
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