2011/01/08 Chicago: Aragon Ballroom: Memories Tour - Pinkerton

Wow, night 1 was pretty darn spectacular, and the Aragon was utterly packed to the gills with ravenous weez army members. The School Of Rock kids did a great job with their intermission mini-set of weezer covers, and we're expecting another such set tonight, with different songs. The Limousines rocked hard and warmed us up (literally!) as the interior Aragon temperature climbed from near freezing in places to hotter than hell. Tonight should be more, more, more!

(later...) And indeed, tonight's show was intense! The audience were amazing both nights, singing along loudly and freaking out constantly. I met so many cool fans both nights, from the I Love All Access VIPers to people from all over the place who had to come see the Memories Tour, and I've got to say it once again, weezer fans are the best fans!

Tonight the School Of Rock kids did "Say It Aint So" and "Surf Wax America" during the intermission, which actually got some crowdsurfing going! They did a fantastic job again. Also tonight the winners of the State Farm Grantin' Wishes With Weezer contest were granted their wishes, and Scott from Magic Hugs (AKA "Chazz" from How To Be Tight) was on hand to help film and interview the goings on for upcoming segments on the State Farm website (we'll link it up when its up). The winners were: One guy got to play drums with the band during soundcheck, he played "the Good life" with them. A girl named Nicole got to meet the band and have Jeremy her garden gnome signed. Then Scott suggested the gnome hang out on the drum kit for the show, and so it came to pass. Another guy got to come up on stage and do his magic trick routine for the crowd while the band played Hash Pipe. And finally a school teacher from Kansas got to sit with the band while they answered questions from the guys classroom kids back in Kansas via iChat. That class also got some new guitars. And also a bunch of fans questions were answered on video which will be a part of the stuff that will go on the State Farm site soon.
http://twitpic.com/3nyviq

Big ups to Jam Productions, Paul Natkin, ILAA, The ILAA VIPers, Anuj Behal (RWA OG webmaster 1995-1999, Spice Girls doll owner), Brian's mom, and the many many awesome Boardies of every stripe we met over these 2 nights!

Are you going? Did you go? Comment here and/or in our message boards, tell your tale! Post your show pix on our photo page!

To see these pix individually and larger, click here.

Also, remember to check weezer's Twitter/Yfrog photo/video page for photos taken on the fly as things happen!

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Comment by Amanda Hannon on January 9, 2011 at 7:06pm: Outstanding shows both nights!!! Thanks Karl for the slide shows - it was cool to see the old pics and hear your stories. Amazing weekend :)

Comment by Matt Hull on January 9, 2011 at 6:47pm: Been a fan since the Blue Album and have never had the time to go to a Weezer show. Pinkerton is one of my personal favorite albums by ANYONE so i saw this tour announced and jumped at the Pinkerton chance. I went in with timid excitement and all i can say is WOW. This concert was AMAZING and blew away every expectation and Weezer will never pass through the Midwest again without me in the crowd! It really is great to see a band that really enjoys what they do and how they bring it to the crowd

Comment by Daryl Pulido on January 9, 2011 at 4:00pm: This was my first concert ever...and it's gonna be hard to beat! I can't BELIEVE the amazing setlist! (TGMTEL, dope nose, jamie, susanne, ygyltms, etc!!!!) I danced, I sang (and lost my voice!) AND i even touched Rivers on the shoulder! (I kinda sound like a creeper but its ok)

Comment by Weezing since Blue on January 9, 2011 at 3:07pm: This was my 15th Weezer show, and WOW it was amazing...Could not have asked for a better set list....Rivers was on a roll! it was perfect from beginning to end.....I agree, it will be VERY hard to beat this one!!!

Comment by krisande on January 9, 2011 at 2:20pm: Absolutely amazing show, was an unforgettable experience for sure. You guys killed it up there, the energy in the ballroom was awesome. Every song in the greatest hits setlist was phenomenal, and that on top of seeing Pinkerton played live in its entirety was unreal in the amount that it rocked. Feels kind of bittersweet now, cause the show was so amazing that it's going to be hard act to live up to.

Love you guys and what you do, the memories tour couldn't have been more appropriately named :)

Comment by J Dub on January 9, 2011 at 2:06pm: Yes I've been to 7 Weezer shows dating back to 2001. This was the best, mainly because of the setlist, Pinkerton in it's entirety and a respectful crowd that was waiting on every word.

Comment by Cris shipman on January 9, 2011 at 1:12pm: thank you Weezer for being the band that you are. My wife and I enjoyed our weekend in Chicago with my all-time favorite band, since i was in 8th grade.

Comment by kathy on January 9, 2011 at 1:03pm: I'm a mom of one of the school of rock kids who performed Friday and saturday night and I just wanted to thank you guys for your generosity in letting the kids play. You gave my 14 year old son, who hopes to pursue music professionally, an experience that will forever be one of the most incredible moments of his life. And along the way, I have become a huge fan of your music (which I know only lowers your cool quotient…)! Thanks for everything.