Chicago LOVES Keith!

>Chicago LOVES Keith!!! This had to be just about the most participatory audience I have ever seen in my two dozen concerts – standing, singing, clapping, dancing, yelling – the whole arena was totally into the show tonight and that made it extra special. I had never been to the Allstate Arena before and it had to be the most confusing arena to get to with the worst signage to direct people. Luckily it is big enough and gaudy enough that we finally made it without signs. My sister and I were sitting in Floor 4 – the rear floor as I had expected from the seating charts but quite a few folks around us were surprised and dismayed that they weren’t closer to the front saying that the area we were sitting in was usually labeled section 6 at the Allstate Arena (the third and farthest set of floor seats), not section 4. We were close to the small stage, so that was good.

No security to speak of at the Allstate!! That was really different from most other venues and lead to folks surrounding the small stage and almost totally blocking the aisle early in the evening (and no one shooed them away)! The arena was not yet full when Gary played, but he still got a good response from the crowd that was there. I am enjoying his set more each time now that I am more familiar with his new music.

The break between Gary and Keith seemed particularly long tonight – it was nearly 9:20 when that countdown clock finally appeared on the screen and the response of the audience was thunderous. And the audience immediately began singing along and continued for the whole show. Keith was wearing the same tee that he has worn in recent television spots like GMA– the one with the circle design on the front that I have been trying to figure out the meaning of (anybody know what that circular pattern is about?). As soon as he got into WTBE it became clear that that tee is none too long and when he would lift his guitar over his head as he does at the end of that song and a few others, we were treated to glimpses of skin – side, back and sweet belly – thank you Keith! The wallet chain was in evidence (didn’t happen to notice it last night).

When Keith welcomed the crowd and asked each section in turn if they were feeling good tonight, he of course ended with “down on the floor??” and when we finished screaming he added “And that’s where many of us will be ending up tonight!” J

During ROS he has been lengthening a dramatic pause before the first chorus, with his head flung back, looking up at the ceiling – maybe 10 seconds long before he will sing the first refrain. It is a tease in song format and drives the crowd crazy. The sound of all the audience joining in gave me goosebumps last night. And you should have heard the guys sitting around me belting out all the words of Stupid Boy – it was really something.

It seemed like the energy from the audience was feeding straight into Keith’s fingers on the guitar. Sometimes it seemed you could hardly see his fingers – they were moving so quickly and effortlessly to every possible position on the neck of the guitar while his other hand picked a blur of strings. What amazing sounds he drew from his instruments- he just couldn’t have been better and he was loving every minute.

When the band moved down to the small stage I made it almost to the railing (one person in front of me) so had a pretty good view. I think Brian and Chris recognized me from handing over the fluffy ears last night because I swear they nodded at me. Keith thrilled the crowd with a verse or two of a special song about Chicago. Even though I spent the first 25 years of my life there I didn’t recognize this particular Chicago song – I’ll have to see if I can make out some of the lyrics and search it online. It seemed the microphone on the small stage had a lot of reverb when Keith was chatting with the audience so I had a hard time catching what he was saying because of the echo even thought I was standing just feet away. He had some fun with his introduction of Chris R, repeating everything that Chris does (banjo, guitar, vocals, banjo, vocals, guitar) several times over. After singing Better Half Keith called up onto the small stage the cutest little kid who had colored Keith a picture. The kid looked a little like the kid in Jerry McGuire with big white spectacles and blond hair. Keith asked his age and he said 5, but then corrected himself and said he was almost 5 and a half. Keith joked about not yet being 40 and a half. He asked the boy what he had colored for him (a turkey and a barn) and posed for photos with the cutie – so sweet!!

Before MMOU he asked how many in the audience were single, how many were couples, and then, how many weren’t sure…. Then dedicated MMOU to all who were in love.

Keith thanked the crowd more than once for making them feel so welcome, for making it such a special night, for making it feel “like new year’s eve” – there was so much excitement in the air and finally thanking everyone for the letting them feel the love from the crowd.

The cell phone wave returned during the encore!! and we had fun with it. Keith once again pitted one side of the arena against the other as to where the wave should begin and was amazed at how much rivalry he immediately generated – each side screaming their approval when he paid attention to them and booing the opposing side. When all the cell phones lit up Keith said it looked like “a bunch of horny fireflies!” And “Everybody” was preceded by the reminder that it had been written right there in Chicago with a Chicago boy – Richard Marx. Last night Keith dedicated to everyone in the audience who stayed to “The bitter end”. Oh Keith your concerts are sweet, sweet music and time with you!! We'd stay forever!

Keith once again stayed behind long after the rest of the band had left the stage, slapping hands and even signing a guitar for someone. I think he was out there moving to all areas of the stage and catwalk for nearly the entire length of that reggae song they play once the lights come back up (Let’s get together and we’ll feel alright!) And feel alright we did – sad that it was over but very definitely satisfied!