11/5/16 Lotus w/ Spafford @ Vic Theatre - Chicago, IL

This show will forever be in the shadow of the Cubs winning the World Series and the parade/rally the day before.  I couldn't believe the amount of traffic on I-55.  The city was happening.  I parked in Bucktown and had Big Al's #1 Italian Beef at the Milwaukee Ave. location.  It was unseasonably warm for early November.  Over the last ten years Lotus has become one of my favorite bands.  I really dig their music but admittedly I feel a bit out of place amongst their younger EDM crowd.  I was glad I was able to catch some of the Spafford opening set.  They are an act on the rise.  The Vic is probably my favorite room in the city all things considered.  The staff was a lot more courteous than the Concord.  I found a spot in the back row of the balcony where I had plenty of room and a place to sit.


Bellwether is an effective opening song.  I am still learning the repertoire but I knew most of the first stanza.  Travel is one that I really enjoy.  Neon Tubes from their Build album was a highlight for me. Anti-Gravity is a tune from the new album that worked well in the live setting.  They had a screen onstage with featured the artist singing the vocals.  Spiritualize is probably their best song and that anchored the first set. 


Cold Facts opened the second set.  I liked hearing that one at Summercamp.  They should have put that on the new album.  Lucid Awakening is classic Lotus.  Mike Rempel is an incredible guitar player and he really shines on that one.  Kesey Seed came next.  Move Too Fast also featured the woman on the screen singing the vocal samples.  Rempel was a wildman during Intro a Cell on guitar.  Absolute shredding.  By this point it was getting late and I had to drive home.  Lotus didn't start until 9:45.  I was a little turned off by the Gabe Otto vocal guest spot and decided to peace out.  From that point I took the L train back to my car and stopped at Dunkin Donut in Morris on the way home.


I was born in the suburbs and lived there for ten years  I've always loved going into the city and feeling the energy.  With that said I don't need to live there.  I'm thankful that I get to enjoy the fun parts of the city without dealing with the bullshit that the living in Chicago entails.