311 has and probably will always be one of my most favorite bands ever to exist! Having that said, they ROCKED Charter One Pavilion yet AGAIN past week on Thursday July 14th. I've seen 311 play live many many times, and this was by far the best show I've ever seen them play. Why some may ask? What was so special about this show?
THEY FREAKING BROUGHT SUBLIME WITH THEM THIS TIME AROUND!
Now, I know that there's a lot of people out there saying that Sublime will never be the same without Bradley Nowell on their side and to all the critics and fans out there; I'd actually have to agree. But I would like to say one thing about Sublime's performance with Rome last week, and that is WOW, seriously. I was impressed by Rome's ability to sing and virtually live up to what Sublime should sound like. I'd like to really thank 311 for allowing them to come to Chicago to show us what they are made of! Sublime with Rome was fantastic and I really think it's the closest to the original Sublime as it's going to get. I have always wished that I could of seen Sublime play live back when, but this was a real treat. I really would recommend any fan of Sublime to check these guys play live with Rome if the opportunity ever comes up. This is as close as it gets!
Now as great as Sublime with Rome was, I was there to see 311!!! After Sublime played their set, my anticipation nearly exploded, literally. For the first time ever seeing 311 live, I was blessed with a photo pass to be able to photograph them for the first 3 songs of their set. I felt like a KING!
Now for most concert reviewers or photographers this may not be a very big deal. But not for me, NO WAY. Please excuse my French, but I nearly shit myself with excitement. Never in a million years would I have imagined that I would be lucky enough to be in front of EVERYONE there taking photographs of 311 as they played a live show in front of thousands of fans. I'd like to thank BUZZNEWS for really making a dream come true for a LONG TIME 311 fan; never had I felt so lucky. I was so close to 311 as they played that the band could literally drip sweat on me. I mean, I was up there, in front of the gate, in the security pit as they opened with "Down", "Jackpot", and "Sunset in July." As I looked behind me, all I could see was thousands of fans screaming lyrics that I know too well, passed out/smashed fans being pulled out by security and photographers running around me like hamsters on a wheel snapping photo's with their all TOO expensive camera's. I really felt like I was dreaming. I couldn't help but stand, frozen in this moment for a while, soaking in what was happening. It was honestly one of the best moments of my life.
Once I finally snapped out of my haze of where and what I was doing, I was finally able to join the rest of the hamsters in the pit; and I just started snapping away photo after photo. Mind you, I was the ONLY person there taking pictures with a 5 mega pixel camera... on my phone. Though, I felt a little inadequate taking pictures with a phone, this feeling only lasted a short moment. Hearing and seeing 311 play closer and louder than ever before made me not care the slightest bit that I wasn't using a big fancy camera. After all, I came to see a show and snap some pics, not obsess over the PERFECT SHOT!
Unfortunately I was only allowed in the photo pit for 3 songs. After that, it was back to the assigned seat I was given...or so I thought. Luckily I quickly noticed that I was not really being escorted out of the general admission area, so once I was done shooting I quickly disappeared into the crowd to continue enjoying 311 play some more tunes. For me, 311 shows are never just a concert. 311 is an experience. For the rest of the night, I bumped into friends, had a few beers, shared a few laughs and just kept enjoying the night. What a better way to enjoy summer in Chicago than by seeing your favorite band in the BEST outdoor venue in the city has to offer.
If you've never been to Charter One Pavilion for a concert, you are really missing out. It's a beautiful venue that over looks Lake Michigan and Chicago. It's a great place to catch your favorite band and enjoy a night out in the city. However, BEWARE! Beer is ALWAYS expensive and ATM's are scarce. Be prepared to wait in long lines if you don't bring cash!! Other than that, Charter One Pavilion is a GREAT venue and I love going there any chance I get!!!
Set list for that night was as follows:
(Sorry if I mixed any up or failed to mention any!)
Down
Jackpot
Sunset in July
Beautiful Disaster
Do You Right
Homebrew
Rock On
Prisoner
Freeze Time
Applied Science
Wild Nights
You Wouldn't Believe
Amber
Eons
What Was I Thinking
PNUT BASS SOLO
Nutsymtom
Beyond the Gray Sky
Flowing
Come Original
Creatures
Who's Got the Herb?
All Mixed Up
Feels So Good
www.311.com
Thanks again to 311 for bringing a great show yet again to Chicago, I patiently await your next show!!! And thanks again to BUZZNEWS for giving me yet another opportunity to write for them!!!!
Peace, love, unity, respect.
311!
