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I was lucky enough to score tickets to Liz Phair performing Exile In Guyville, one of my all-time favorite albums, in its entirety at The Vic last night. Liz looked amazing and it was really refreshing to see her revisit Guyville without having to wade through some of her more recent un-loved material.

There were a lot of standout songs since the album is still amazing 15 years later, although I particularly liked the stripped down tracks like Dance Of The Seven Veils and Canary. There wasn’t much banter but when she did address the audience she was very humbled to be back in Chicago and playing Exile’s tunes. She said “Chicago was special, Exile was special, and Chicago and Exile together was particularly special.” It was a really great evening, particularly since there was no opener. She did reluctantly play an encore with Chopsticks from Supernova a new song which was a rip on some record executive (turns out she’s still got some anger in there…) and Polyester Bride from Whitechocolatespaceegg. No stage fright to be seen even, which is very different from the first time I saw her at Clutch Cargo’s in Pontiac when I was in college.

I love this new trend of full-album performances that’s emerged in the last 5 years or so, thanks in part to ATP’s Don’t Look Back series. (I’m bummed Built To Spill won’t be coming around Chicago with Perfect From Now On…) I just wish more bands would tour with these special shows - its a nice way to revisit some old material and remind us that albums are still relevant and important… especially if its a brilliant album to begin with.

RTP Radio:
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