Part 2: Aragon Ballroom, Halloween Night
It had arrived! Halloween was here and the freak flag was flying outside the Aragon Ballroom, as WSP fans from around the country descended, in full costume. As I walked into the theatre (first time since the show in 1998), I was quick to 1st check out the stage set up, which appeared as a huge Zoltar future telling machine from the movie “Big.” It was also, as I was told later, set up to replicate the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, which occurred in Chicago. The Ballroom itself provides a rather unique setting on its own, as you can see in our photos.
As the band took the stage for its third and final time this tour, and in Chicago this year, I got up close to see their costumes. JB was dressed up as Geoff the robot sidekick from the Craig Ferguson show. Schools was dressed in a Blackhawk’s jersey and Hockey Mask (Jason style), Todd was appropriately Zoltar. Sunny was Shrek, and Jimmy and Jojo re-enacted a scene from Cubs baseball history. Jimmy dressed as Moises Alou who was interfered with by Cub’s legendary fan Steve Bartman, played by Jojo, from the infamous 2003 National League Championship Series. These costumes were a preface to the theme of this Halloween, which seemed to be, none other than, “Chicago!”
As the band took the stage in full Halloween garb, we anticipated what was to come this evening. They kicked things off with a heart stopping Pigeons that immediately got this colorful crowd rockin’! Radio Child kept the pace, and next came our first Halloween cover/bust out of the evening, with “Wishbone” which hadn’t been played since 12/15/89. I have never really listened to old versions before, but enjoyed this one. The new JB sung tune “True to My Nature” came out next. I am really growing to like this one. It has really developed a lot since its debut on the most recent album, “Dirty Side Down.” The Jerry Joseph written “Time Zones” came next and slowly built up to “Love Tractor” that got us all “bouncing in our seats” again. The first dark moment came with the band paying homage to their late friend Vic Chestnutt with the never played before, “Degenerate” that transitioned into Schools’ version of Chestnutt’s “Blight”. Our first musical Chicago reference came with Howling Wolf’s extra bluesy “Tail Dragger” played, for the first time, into a fun and set closing “Climb to Safety.” The first set was well played with some interesting and fun covers, but it would be the second set that would truly rock this Halloween crowd!
As the lights went down and the crowd roared, the band started tuning. Could it be? Would it be? Yes, it was the highly anticipated return of the Blue Oyster Cult’s “Godzilla”. This was literally monstrous and I couldn’t believe I was hearing it. The last time it had been played was in Chicago on Halloween 1997. What was unique about this version was that it was actually going to be a sandwich with the band stopping short and jamming, into Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” for the first time ever! This gave a new meaning to JB’s costume, as he really looked like Iron Man at this moment. Just as soon as we realized what we had been hit with the band brought us back into “Godzilla.” Schools proceeded to throw one of his stuffed Godzilla’s from the top of his amp into the crowd. Next came great versions of “Imitation Leather Shoes>Jack”, and a “Surprise Valley>Drums>Surprise Valley” followed by “Blue Indian”, which brought the crowd roar down a needed notch. We were then treated to John Lennon’s “I’m Losing You” for the first time ever. There was no better way to end this epic Halloween set than with a “Chilly water> Bust Big> Chilly water” to close out the set, and bringing slight reference to their upcoming trip to “Mexico.” The crowd seemed to be in shock as we awaited the encore and high-fived and hugged our close friends around us.
The awaiting crowd roared the band back onstage. They came out with one more “first time played” song to start things off. It was “Outta Mind (Outta Sight)” by, no other than, Chicago’s own Wilco. A crowd “sing a long” ensued, with “Postcard”. “This town is nuts, my kind of place, I don’t want to leave!” Porch Song followed, as we all thought about our fallen hero, Michael Houser. Schools came out and thanked the band’s crew and the audience. He then proceeded to bring their crew out “to help sing one more”. With the entire band and crew onstage, they dropped into the Warren Zevon favorite “Werewolves of London” which had last been played on 10/31/08. This was yet another magical moment with our favorite band and friends alike. What a Halloween!! What a weekend!! Thanks Again Widespread Panic for doing what you do! Next show is New Years Eve and then some special shows in January of 2012 before the hiatus. See you all next time!!
This article is written, in loving memory, of Kathleen Bold McAlaine. Thanks for the encouragement!
10/31/11 Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL
1: Pigeons > Radio Child > Wishbone, True To My Nature, Time Zones > Love Tractor, Degenerate > Blight > Tail Dragger > Climb To Safety
2: Godzilla > Iron Man > Godzilla, Imitation Leather Shoes > Jack, Surprise Valley > Drums > Surprise Valley > Blue Indian, I’m Losing You > Chilly Water > Bust It Big > Chilly Water
E: Outta Mind (Outta Sight), Postcard, Porch Song, Werewolves of London$
$with Steve Lopez on percussion
[Only ‘Degenerate’, Only ‘I’m Losing You’, Only ‘Iron Man’, Only ‘Outta Mind (Outta Sight)’, Only ‘Tail Dragger’; Entire crew on stage during ‘Werewolves of London’; Last ‘Godzilla’ – 10/31/97, 1152 shows; Last ‘Werewolves of London’ – 10/29/08, 222 shows; Last ‘Wishbone’ – 12/15/89, 2259 shows]
Set lists courtesy of Everyday Companion (with an edit by Bill McAlaine)
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