Lotus
12/27/12
Riviera Theatre
Chicago, IL
Set 1: Suitcases, Break Build Burn, Nematode, Monks*, Lead Pipe > Shimmer and Out, Ashcon
Set 2: We Are Now Connected > Golden Ghost, Blue Giant, Disappear in a Blood-Red Sky, Its All Clear To Me Now > Bubonic Tonic > Tip of the Tongue
E: Marisol, Grayrigg
*debut
[w/ Zoogma and Archnemesis]
This was my first concert after starting my new job. At this point I was still a part time employee but I was grateful to have a job and most importantly a new start. I had planned on the Umphrey's Milwaukee shows as being the final live music of 2012. However, I had the time and inclination to see Lotus on the opening night of their holiday run and this still allowed me to watch the 4 nights of Phish on the webcast. I worked until 4:30 then drove into the city and parked in Wicker Park and took the train to Uptown. I ate Rosatti's Pizza at the small location a block north of the Riv.
I purposefully missed the two opening acts and took a spot in the balcony. I was sporting my new South Carolina football jersey. Suitcases was a nice familiar start to the show. The de facto title track to their upcoming album worked nicely in that slot. Nematode brought a lot of energy. Monks was a debut and the samples they use explain the title. It sounds like chanting in the background. Lead Pipe > Shimmer and Out was solid work. Ashcon was another new song on the forthcoming Build album.
WANC > Ghost was well executed segue with the bass player switching to his electronica rig. Blue Giant is a favorite Lotus tune of mine from that Strength of Weak Ties album. Disappear in a Blood-Red Sky was a lull moment. The final triad of songs to close out the set of It's All Clear to Me Now > Bubonic Tonic > Tip of the Tongue ensured this show was a success. Lotus is my favorite of the jamtronica acts. After the start of the encore I made my way to the L train platform and eventually drove home. This was a fun evening. There was a problem with the recording and I saw no tapers so this show may be lost for the ages.
I purposefully missed the two opening acts and took a spot in the balcony. I was sporting my new South Carolina football jersey. Suitcases was a nice familiar start to the show. The de facto title track to their upcoming album worked nicely in that slot. Nematode brought a lot of energy. Monks was a debut and the samples they use explain the title. It sounds like chanting in the background. Lead Pipe > Shimmer and Out was solid work. Ashcon was another new song on the forthcoming Build album.
WANC > Ghost was well executed segue with the bass player switching to his electronica rig. Blue Giant is a favorite Lotus tune of mine from that Strength of Weak Ties album. Disappear in a Blood-Red Sky was a lull moment. The final triad of songs to close out the set of It's All Clear to Me Now > Bubonic Tonic > Tip of the Tongue ensured this show was a success. Lotus is my favorite of the jamtronica acts. After the start of the encore I made my way to the L train platform and eventually drove home. This was a fun evening. There was a problem with the recording and I saw no tapers so this show may be lost for the ages.
