Dog Dayz of Summer at Goose Island Barrel Warehouse

Amy and I drove (or did we bike?) down to eat free hot dogs and watch music.  White Mystery didn't thrill us; I kinda liked the Claudettes.  Bobby Bare Jr is amazing.  We chatted with him on the way out - he was having van trouble.

The hot dogs were, of course, great.  And Doug gave a little talk - clever as usual.  I probably saw some of the Hot Doug's regulars, but I don't remember...

Matt & Kim at the Riviera

Amy really likes the Matt & Kim, and they were playing right down the street from Tiny and Annie, so i thought maybe we could all go.  Then i found out how much tickets were.  And then it sold out.  Drat.

My friend Doug to the rescue!  Not only was he able to hook us up with tickets, but we got to watch the show from the VIP section.  Amy may never watch a show from the floor again.

And what a show it was.  Non-stop energy.  I think Kim spent more time dancing (and twerking) on her drums than she did playing them.  There were those among us, especially the drummer, who suspected the music may not have been as "live" as it could have been - and it didn't matter!  Did they drop balloons on the crowd?  I believe so.  Was there a crazy light show?  You betcha.

Seriously, i think i'm getting tired just thinking about how much jumping about they did.  Energy energy energy.

Both Annie and Amy saw boobs a-flashin' in the crowd.  Tiny and i did not.  Which is totally unfair.

Also, i suspect we substantially raised the average age...

Cafe Tacuba at the Portage Theater

I hadn't heard Cafe Tacuba before this.  I'm not entirely certain i had even heard OF Cafe Tacuba before this.  Ingrid talked me into going.  Well, she asked if i wanted to go and i said yes...

Anyway, the show was unbelievable.  The wait for them to start was interminable, but once they went on ... boyoboy.  Crazy costumes, crazy lights and a crazy mix of musical genres.

I'm now a fan.

Riot Fest in Humboldt Park

I believe this is the riot fest that i sent johno a bunch of funny texts as if i were 'live tweeting' the concert.  They're gone from my phone, but i assure you they were hilarious, and totally not a waste of everyone's time.

Shellac, Bear Claw at Lincoln Hall

When i really like Shellac, i REALLY like Shellac.  But when i don't, i'd rather be sleeping.  The same holds true for Bear Claw, only less so.  Much less so on the sleeping side of the equation.  Maybe i like Bear Claw more than Shellac.  Sacrilege!

I wanna say we watched part of this show from the balcony.  Maybe just Bear Claw?

The Sword at Eagles Hall

The Specials at the Vic

U2 at Soldier Field

Karen had an extra ticket to this show, so we met at my house earlier in the day so she could give it to me.  This was her (and everyone's) first time at my house, so i gave them the nickel tour.  Unfortunately, our cat Two had left a present on the hall rug, and someone stepped in it.  It was a mess, a smelly mess.  Ugh.

I rode the bike down there after work to meet them.  I got there during Interpol's set, which was as expected (both my late arrival and Interpol's set).

U2 was good, and hanging out with my old high school friends was great.  I may have had a few beers (for the last time?), which made the bike ride home through a crowded Grant Park interesting, if ultimately uneventful.

Rush at the United Center

I had never seen Rush, so i suggested we all go.  Remarkably, everyone agreed.  Johno hadn't seen them since high school, i believe.

We met at that taco place at Belmont and Damen.  Or maybe we rode their together.  Either way, we definitely rode to the UC together.

Our seats were waaaay in the back (but not as far back as this show).  The light show didn't work as well as it could have from so far up, but it was cool to be able to see how their crazy light contraption worked.

Some guy a few rows over from us could not clap on beat, one my own Greatest Fears.