Been to many, many shows but never reviewed one. Here, however I must try my hand at it because I was there and braved the monsoon with my two best buds; literally not moving one inch...not one lousy inch through it all. We were trees rooted into the lawn. We held up to the rain, the wind, the mud, the mental exhaust of another weather related bummer...and we held firm and the boys delivered. So, while the whole show is worthy of review for this phan, I would like to focus one one thing:

I really don't get the mixed Harpua reviews from the show. If you were there and trucked through that rain storm, you get it: not even a cheesey moment with some"guests" could bring down your high after such a wild weather weekend. This was the crown (or poncho...or $5 trash bag the event staff was selling) for the weekend. And like the silliness or not, it was what we all needed. That said, I found the Harpua to be brilliant! Yes, they botched some parts (did Jimmy's cat ever die?). Yah, sure I get it, the second city thing was a bit manufactured (the rap had its moments). HOWEVER the banter through out was priceless! When do you get to see the band goofing around like that anymore? 95? Certainly not like THIS in 3.0. (Highlight - Mike: "It was odd."). THEN just for good measure, Mike tells the story. That just made it for me as that is one funny man. So sure, bitch about the cheese factor but don't forget what you saw: the boys having fun. Plain and simple, that is worth it for me!

In closing, the silliness for me brought back memories of the "old days" where anything goes, but the tight new band cohesiveness of 3.0 is unmistakable. Night three was a great cap to a wild weekend in Chicago and was worth every second, every drop of rain, every chilly wind gust, every cold like symtom the following morning. The boys delivered for their fans who braved the elements for three days in the windy city. Here's to hoping they are back at this venue next year...and here's to hoping for better weather! Cheers!

P.S. - OH! And really looking forward to catching the soundboard of that Boogie On...it was raining so hard at that point that I couldn't see the stage, but I remember a pounding funk groove just holding the pocket, almost like the boys knew that in order to keep us all warm they had too keep us all moving. God I phucking love this!