World Contamination - Chicago (4/15)
I was really excited to see this show, especially after about freezing my butt off at the December show in St. Louis. The day was full of disappointments but ended in some satisfaction.
So, my friend and I decided to leave around 10am, because we live about 3-4 hours away (depending on traffic), so that we would arrive with enough time to mingle in line and see some friends in the MCRmy. Things were looking great until we actually got into Chicago-- we'd actually arrived a bit earlier than planned. But we first had to check into our hotel. It was then that the sky opened up and started raining. We decided then to wait it out a bit and hang out at the hotel. Around 4, we realized we better get a move on if we wanted to eat beforehand and find a parking spot close to the venue. We scored pretty good on the parking spot, right across the street. And it had fortunately stopped raining by this time. We then tried to find a place to eat that was recognizable and not too expensive nearby which was absolutely non-existent. Me being diabetic, I have to make sure I eat or else I pass out :S But I decided then that it would probably be best if we just ate after the show. So then after walking back and forth from line to car, I managed to find Cassie (poisonandfire), after she had just met the band (so jealous). She gave me a hug and told me how the meet and greet went. Meeting her was probably the best part of the day XD We got in line, which was the longest line I've ever seen x_x and it was the furthest in line I've ever been for a MCR show.
Getting inside, we made a beeline for the merch and I bought way more than I should've. (I got the poster, Party Poison hoodie, both Mousekat shirts and the shirt that said "Look Alive Sunshine") Then we made it to the floor. About that time it was half filled with people. We stood towards the back of the mass, not really wanting to get too involved with the crowd, knowing how crazy it can get towards the front.
(My view before the concert started)
Before I knew it, the place was full and we were all packed like sardines. I was hoping the people around us would be more mellow, being well away from the stage. Yeah, well, that didn't happen.
The Architects came on and I, not having heard of them before, wasn't really into it. I was originally planning on wearing my homemade killjoy gear but because of the weather I made a last minute decision to wear my Jet Star jacket which was now starting to get really warm. Neon Trees were next, who I've only really known from Animal being played so much on the radio, and they were pretty enjoyable. At this point, I was still hoping that the pushers and moshers would just stay away or make their way ahead of us. That didn't happen either.
Call me, I don't know, old fashion but when I go to a show I actually like to see the band. I don't want to have to constantly worry if I'm going to be pushed or knocked down. I've had a bad experience with a mosh pit before and it has left me paranoid. So, by the time MCR came on, I made the choice to leave my friend to jump around while I moseyed to the back where I could see the band.
MCR was as great as ever. They played several of my favorite songs, including Hang 'Em High, Vampires Will Never Hurt You, Planetary Go, and Summertime. And they played DESTROYA and Bulletproof Heart which both sounded really great live. They had some sound problems but you'll have that, I guess.
When it came time to leave, we had planned to stay after the show and try to meet the band but it was cold and rainy and I was starving so I thought it would be better to just get out of there. We went to McDonald's before going back to the hotel.
Overall, it was an okay night. Having seen MCR several times before, I can honestly say that this was not one of my favorites. MCR was great, everything else just sucked.