The Venue (Allstate Arena, Rosemont IL): (3/5) I once again feel like I’m comparing two very different things. Arena shows are very different animals from smaller venue shows. This is only one of two arenas I’ve been to for music, the other being the Bradley Center, in Milwaukee, WI) Arenas are not designed to house concerts, so the space always feels a bit jury rigged when they set up a show, but frankly where else would be equipped to hold 20,000 screaming, jumping fans?
Personally, I’m not much of a fan of arena settings. The majority of the seats are too far away and it’s often much more expensive (though this area is pleasantly not as pricey as others (in this case 85$ for floor tickets)) and people are more inclined to sit. As Brent Smith said during Shinedown’s performance, you’re at a rock show not church, stand up. I always feel like sitting through the majority of a rock show is insulting, these people are out there, performing so that you will dance and have a good time. Dance! Tangent aside, this venue did one thing right, they had better ventilation on the floor than I’ve seen in many smaller venues. I could actually feel a cool breeze when I was all the way in the front by the stage.
Another thing this venue has to offer that smaller ones don’t is the ability to use screens and pyrotechnics, which can really enhance a good show (or cover for a bad one like strobe lights)
As with all arenas, the food and drinks were over priced and the merch was rather limited. The bathrooms were clean considering the number of people they served. They were relatively clean, with good, working fixtures and no graffiti.
However, one of the downsides was that the sound system was sub par. Not horrid, just not the best one I’ve encountered.
The Crowd: (2/5) Again, this is partly a function of being at an area show, but the crowd was entirely too laid back for beginning at a show that had at least two bands that should have blown the roof of the place. They were also entirely too drunk to care.
On to the show itself.
First act (Sick Puppies) (3/5 show, 4/5 album): Ladies and gents sharpen your ears, these folks have talent. In person they were good, surprisingly metal for another wise straight up rock show. Being the opener they only played five songs. On the metal side of rock, these folks came all the way from Australia to rock us solid. The vocals were a nice combination of screams, grunts, and melody. Sick Puppies are a small three-person band (guitar/vocals, base, drums), two guys and a girl. Curiously, while bassist Emma Anzai rocks a mean bass, she didn’t sing in the live show (she does on a few tracks on the albums) I am always impressed with a good looking, hard rocking woman, especially in a genera that is dominated by men. Front man, Shimon Moore, can sing, rock out, and play a decent guitar at the same time. Most artists, in my experience, either focus on playing, or singing even when they do both, Moore did both the entire time. While his guitar work isn’t the most complex, it still takes talent to multi-task on that level, especially when there is no rhythm guitar backing him up. Those that do attempt both, often times end up standing still, not true with Moore, he head banged as hard as any other band I’ve seen.
Did I mention the hot girl playing both slap and standard bass? Yeah, there was that.
Anzai tore the bass up in ways I’ve not seen in a long time. Especially not from the first opener.
Well done, folks. Well fucking done.
I would put this music on to: Rock out, Angst, or get rid of pent up anger
Second Act (Shinedown): (4/5) I’ve gushed at length about Shinedown in a previous review. While they played a short set, as they were only the second of four acts. Shinedown is a four-man alternative metal show. Brent smith has a voice that is so powerful that he had to hold the mic back from his mouth when he really belted (see above Re: the mediocre sound system). This particular set didn’t quite have the energy of one of their main act shows, but Smith still managed to get complete strangers to the band to jump and move. His stage presence and ability to work the crowd continue to blow my mind. He’s flirtatious, gracious, and sincere. I was a little surprised “45” never got played, as it was one of their single tracks, however, I think that was because the show was already a heavy on the emotional songs.
Speaking of which, there was a very nice touch about halfway through the set. Ronnie James Dio passed on recently, and they played their cover of Skynard’s “Simple Man,” in tribute to him. Smith put an incredible amount of emotion into it, I’d be lying if I said my eyes were dry for that number and I never really listened to Dio. Smith puts so much emotion and energy into what he does that you can feel it somewhere deep in your chest, its rending.
Unlike many acts, Shinedown’s shows aren’t all about the front man. He plays off his guitarist especially but other band mates as well and is very, very deferential when they have solos and is sure to give his band their moments in the light.
I would put on this music to: Cry, to make myself feel like I can overcome the odds.
Third Act (Breaking Benjamin)(2/5):I tried to like them, because they have a similar style to many bands I listen too, but ultimately I was more interested in the videos they played than the band itself. (Especially when they played a Halo video, I’m nothing if I’m not a geek.) Front man, Benjamin Burnley certainly tried hard, so he gets credit there, but frankly, the band lacked energy, and what energy the crowd produced was absorbed and not returned.
Also, the Burnley, if you read this, its pounced Poly-am-er-ous not Poly-aim-er-us. It’s a little thing, but man it bugged me. The song and video for polyamorous also insulting to people who practice polyamory.
I would put this on to: tune it out, get annoyed
Main Act(Nickelback): (4/5) A Nickelback show is a party that has 20,000 guests. This is the second show of theirs I’ve seen and while it gets a little predictable the second time around, is a true rock show. Frontman Chad Kroeger is a huge flirt and knows how to talk to the crowd. He’s got a terrific, dirty, sense of humor without crossing the line between naughty and crude. He’s a party animal without getting so caught up in the party atmosphere that he forgets how to sing and play. Its obvious that as much work as Kroger puts into his art, he’s there hanging with his best friends and his fans, who he treats as friends--even handing out shots to those who can show ID and shooting free t-shirts into the crowd. Other than for the sentimental songs, the grin never left his face.
Kroger also interacted very closely with his band mates, more so than others I’ve complemented for it. He even threw his band mates' names into a few of the songs to direct the crowd to them.
Then there was the drum solo, which was simply epic. Daniel Adair is an excellent drummer and has the endurance of a horse.
I don’t think I could talk about their set without talking about the pyro-show. Many times, Shiny Bright Things are used to distract the audience when the artist isn’t as goo d. However, in Nickelback’s case it functioned as punctuation, accentuating an already great show.
I would put this music on to: Party, kick back, drink, get laid.
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