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I'll be there tomorrow through Tuesday. Staying up by River Park, but I can get just about anywhere. I'm looking for:

1) a good spot or three to pregame near the United Center. Somewhere with food on top of drinks is preferable, but not necessary. Also, parking recs? I usually use spot hero but I don't know the neighborhoods very well. Last time I was there was probably late 90s.

2) any recs on where to watch the World Cup?

3) just a solid place to eat for about 6-7 of us, parents and kids from multiple families, so something for everyone. Probably off Michigan, but I can convince folks to go elsewhere of food is awesome.

4) somewhere for me to go killing time on Monday. I used to hit Al's but it changed. Just a place that's thoroughly Chicago. I'm a Giordano so all in on Chicago food.

5) How drunk do I have to be to accept a shot of Malort?

Thanks in advance everyone. Any help is appreciated!

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I’ll be there with my three boys Saturday night.

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Impressive that they're all going with you. My wife and possibly kids were going to go and meet another family but now it's just me. My friend bought the tickets for Saturday, so I don't know where my seats are yet. I'll let you know when I do.

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Subdivisions and spirit of radio were just joyous

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I’m pretty sure if I scour the archives I can find some of your anti-Rush commentary

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I believe I said something along the lines of them being super-genius virtuosos who dedicated all that talent into making cringy music. Like if Lex Luthor was a rock band.

But then I got older and stopped hating things generally, and then I did a 180 on this one specifically.

Also I read an interview w Neal Peart where he called Randism “silly philosophy for young men to get into and then outgrow” or some such, and that helped. (Bc the first time I heard “the trees” I assumed they were big into atlas shrugged).

They just looked so happy onstage. It was like they all agreed that it was okay to go be rockstars again. I still can take or leave a lot of prog rock, but 2112 was really cool to see; and YYZ is obviously just such a rocker.

EDIT TO ADD: I really hated Subdivisions growing up. I thought “conform or be cast out” was the single cringiest lyric ever written. Recently I read the lyrics a bit harder and realized that the song isn’t really saying “suburbs suck”, it’s about how the suburban kids are drawn to the city and the excitement and then live our city lives and then get a little tired and remember their quiet childhood and move back, where their kids are drawn back to the city and the whole cycle repeats. And watching Geddy play 2 keyboards AND a bass is impressive.

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but the songs of theirs I love, I really love.

I did get to see them once. My girlfriend at the time (early 90s, LA) waited on Peart, and he left her tickets to the show at the forum that night for her "and a friend". She brought me instead and declined to go backstage afterwards, so we never really found out if Neil was disappointed. Great show though.

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I think Neil would absolutely love the fact that a woman took over his throne.

BTW, you guys got 'The Trees'. Unfortunately you guys didn't get 'La Villa Strangiato'.

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You need to be such an athlete to be a rock drummer at all, and to do Neal’s stuff looks like you need unreal speed and precision too.

The crowds were so appreciative, and so were Alex and Geddy! Just all smiles during the big drum fills, standing in front of the kit watching her. Agreed that Neal would have appreciated it!

We were directly side of stage, and we got some incredible photos.

Also - I guess he’s always been kind of unique looking, but Geddy looks like he hasn’t aged since the 90s and his voice was 100%

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I thought Geddy’s voice showed some age. He definitely cannot hit the high notes consistently or stay at a high register for long. But it was his voice through and through and he can still belt out the music. To my ear, it was all I could have hoped for and more. My 18-year-old who can be really, really critical and nitpicky (shocking) loved every minute of it and thought Lee sounded great.

Both Lee and LIfeson can just shred! It was amazing to watch the speed and precision they still have on their instruments. They were active on stage too and clearly (as you point out) just enjoying being out there. Having read Lee’s recent memoir, I think they know what they are and don’t take themselves too seriously, so it makes it easy to connect with them and enjoy the corny bits too.

The light show and video production was excellent. I loved the underlying and present tribute to Peart throughout, especially the videos showing him. “Time Stand Still” was one of the most emotional performances I’ve seen, not from the band particularly, but just the production around it and clear tribute to Peart. I get emotional at concerts, but typically because of the connection I feel to a song. In this case, the song and video were appropriately poignant and conveyed the love for Peart and loss at his death that Lee and LIfeson felt and feel.

Then there was Niles. As you said, she was a powerhouse. When the camera was on her, she was mesmerizing. She nailed every important riff to a tee. The drum solo bridge on “Tom Sawyer” was absolutely perfect and Lee’s fist pump just brought home how good she is. The crowd loved her too. She will earn lifetime fans on this tour and it will be deserved.

So good.

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The image of the motorcyclist was clearly Neil, right?

To hear a song written by a dead man about the importance of living in the moment and experiencing your own life, being played by his best friends for the first few times after his death - “summer’s going fast, nights getting colder / children growing up, old friends getting older” is just impossibly emotional.

And even so, the throughline isn’t about nostalgia for what’s gone. Even now, there’s no looking back, there is only the present.

I imagine the LA show w Aimee Mann was even more emotional, given that it was the first performance.

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On tour Alex (licensed pilot) & Geddy would fly charter. Neil would ride his BMW from show to show in whatever country they were scheduled to play in.

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Somewhere around 'Vapor Trails' he became much better live singer.

Would love to seem them @Sphere.

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Who am I kidding, it felt like it was just highlight after highlight. What an amazing show.

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My wife can’t stand Rush—in particular, Lee’s voice. My oldest (of four) doesn’t care for them either.

I’ve seen them once in the late 80s. I’m very excited to share the experience with my boys!

We don’t have any plans to do much before hand since we’re driving over from South Bend and back tonight. We’ll probably get there in time for doors open.

We’re in Section 302, Row 11, Seats 1-4.

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I'm in Section 305, row 3.

My info is in my reply to Bobbywal's post below. If you want a free beer, I'll grab one at the stand behind our sections. If you just want to hang with family, then no worries. We'll catch up another time and can chat about the show.

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It's as good of a Rush show as I have seen, and this was my 6th time seeing them. They keep changing the set list so I have no idea what "chestnuts" they'll pull from their catalogue. In LA we got some 'Caress of Steel' stuff that people loved.

You'll enjoy it.

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At the show in LA? I think she only did it once but may be wrong on that. She's great.

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I attended the 4th LA show on the 13th, so I did not get to see her, but I read the online reviews of opening night on reddit.

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The first and only time she has EVER sung it live with Rush, I think? She is on the record but never did it at a show.

I don’t think they have done any covers on this tour (yet)

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Yeah, 'Til Tuesday was Voices Carry. Time Stands Still = Rush.

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It really was quite a show to see though. I imagine the LA ones were even more impressive bc they were first. The Toronto ones in the fall are going to be unreal. Thinking about making that trip

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but when you are within Chicago proper, all bets are off in a "when in Rome" sort of way. It's just soooo fuckin bitter. I'd sooner do 3 pops of Jager rapid-fire, honestly. God help you, friend.

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Honestly, once you've had enough of it, you get used to the bitter.

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Defense will inflict upon the Badgers.

Or it'll just be for losing side bets. Either way works.

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Great venue. Unbelievable what they can do with a single good pizza crust. Top notch option for a wide range of ages

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Looks to be fairly close to the Hotel where my friends are staying. Appreciate the rec.

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Are you in town for Rush? I'll be there Monday evening.

For WC, I would say find a comfy spot near where you are staying or where you are gonna be, there should be no shortage of options. Chicago is a pretty football-friendly city and I wonder if I recommended the well-known EPL places, they'd just be overrun. Considering your location, Prime Time Bar and Grill (Albany Park) might be worth checking out.

For concerts, I've had no trouble parking southbound on Ogden just north of Jackson on the street. It's free! Did this for Adam Sandler and a few other sold out shows at the UC recently.

Don't hesitate with Malört! It's better when you can truly savor it.

As for the rest? I'll chew on it a bit.

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Monday's show, but betting they slide a bit over the weekend. Happy to buy you an overpriced beverage in appreciation. Hmu at c w i l z at y a h o o. I'll give you my cell and info.

Good advice on the futbol. Guy I'm staying with (a Chicago ND name from the 80s), texted me right after I posted about a good local Mexican place which I'll check out. If there's a good spot to watch, I might just camp out there. I speak Spanish, so that helps.

Thanks on the parking. 2 other ND guys are coming down from Milwaukee on Monday afternoon and we'll just pile in together and park down there. Hopefully time for a pregame stop along the way.

As for Malört. I'll just have to Kick my mouth in the balls and see what happens.

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