The economy was up and just about everyone hit the road. Ticket prices for big arena concerts hovered between $75 and $100 depending on where you sat. Was it worth it? Not from where I sat. As a professional critic and photographer who writes and photographs without having to pay, the question of "Would I pay?" was all to often "NO." Of all the great shows that I saw this year, nearly half were Chicago-area talent—performers that you can see once a month with a top ticket price of $12. In a musical town like Chicago you have to ask, "Where do I get my bang for my buck?" Don't look to the Allstate Arena or the United Center—you'll have better luck at the House of Blues or the Hideout.
Shows of note:
1. The Swinging Love Hammers: House of Blues. The best unsigned band in America?—possibly. The Hammers are the embodiment of unpretentious crisp "FUCK YOU" R & R with a smile. Witty hooks ( "Real Men," "Give it Up," "Ultrasound" ) , killer show, and enough beat and breath to raise the dead of Bangladesh. No question the most compelling-exhilarating-exhausting show I've seen in years.
2. Patricia Barber: CD Release show, the Park West
3. Patti Smith Group/Richard Thompson/the Mekons: Old Town School of Folk Music
4. The B-52's: the Chicago Hilton ( Benefit for AIDS Foundation )
5. Tina Turner/Joe Cocker: the United Center
6. Chris & Heather's Record Round-Up Benefit for Chicago Filmmakers ( featuring Scott Ligon, Brigid Murphy, Old #8, and Cynthia "Plaster Caster" ) : the Hideout
7. Michelle Shocked: House of Blues
8. Robbie Fulks/Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire/the Heatersons: Metro
9. The Culture Club: House of Blues
10. ( Tie ) Queerstock ( featuring Robert Urban and Doria Wood among others ) : Star Gaze; The Three Tenors: the United Center.
The "Who's Laughing Now" Award goes to Tina Turner's "24-7" Tour. So what if the ( actually very good ) kick-off single ( "When the Heartache is Over" ) fell out of Billboard's Hot 100 before it could crack the top 20. So what if "24-7" limped to platinum status. So what if the Super Bowl half-time blow-out didn't burn the house down. Tina sailed through town, not once, not twice, but three times ( all sell-outs ) proving what real star power is. And she was the top-grossing touring act of 2000, even beating out hotties N'Sync. Tina, they want you.
The "Who's Not Even Able to Crack a Smile" Award goes to Diana Ross and the Supremes "Back to Love" Tour. MS. Ross and the Supremes played to cavernous empty houses while the promoters took a bloody bath. Could it have been the $250 top price for a show booked in sports arenas? No new Supremes product in, say, 20 years? The fact that these weren't the REAL Supremes? Or that MS. Ross is getting more payback ( for purportedly ) being the raging queen bitch of the universe? Diana, they don't want you.
Other notables: Nice to See You Again: the Motels, the Who, Joe Cocker, Michael McDermott, X, Prince, Eurythmics, Michelle Shocked, Culture Club, Billy Idol. The Last Time: Liza, Tina, Babs, Smashing Pumpkins, KISS. Farewells: Curtis Mayfield, Pops Staples.