Ok, this is a rather lengthy review, so if you want to read it; read it if not, don't. Just dont complain, it took awhile to write this up!!

I drove up 2hrs to Chicago by myself from where I live in central Illinois and arrived at the UIC after 12pm. When I go to Oasis concerts, I always like to make a day & night out of it. I could of gone with a friend but she didn't want to go early so I went by myself. I have no problem with doing that. Anyways, when I got there, there were already 15 or so people ahead of me in the GA line outside the Pavillion. I met some pretty cool people out there. It's always nice to commune with people who love the same band as you. Luckily, it was not unbearably hot or raining or anything like that. But we all pretty much baked in the sun all day until about 5:30pm when they decided to start letting us all in. But the wait was more than worth it.

I managed to get in the second row from the stage on the floor to the right in front of where Noel was. What an awesome view!! The closest I've ever been at an Oasis concert.

The concert started at about 7:30pm with Nic Armstrong & The Thieves They were a very decent opening band. I had listened to their album previously and liked it. People in the crowd kept asking the band who they were. I think the band said their name like 3 times to us! I saw Gem, Andy, & Liam watch thier set on stage right. Everyone applauded up front when we saw the guys come out.

Then Jet came out for their set at around 8pm. I thought they were very good and really enjoyed their set. I really like their music and they did not dissapoint. Everyone in the crowd was singing along with "Look At What You've Done". Their studio material translated well live which is one of the things I look for in a band. Somebody up front was giving the lead singer some crap but he took it well and challenged the guy back. It was quite funny. Some people have no respect. I only saw Gem hang around for their set. Now on to the main event and why I waited outside for almost 6hrs...

At about 9:30pm Oasis finally came on with "Fuckin In The Bushes" The crowd was going mental. Or at least from my vantage point up front. We were all going mental at least! The guys all looked great especially Liam with his cool shades. "Turn Up The Sun" came next; an awesome album translation. Next came "Lyla" which absolutely rocked; we were all pogoing up front!! The crowd was singing the chours, "Hey Lyla!!". Wow. Let me just say it here and now. Liam's voice rocked the house tonight. I heard no strain or give in his voice at all. The rest of the set included "Love Like A Bomb", "Bring It On Down"- the crowd went especially mental on this one, "Morning Glory", "Cigarettes & Alchohol", "The Importance Of Being Idle"- I really thought Noel would have trouble with this, but I think he nailed it!, "Little By Little"- The chorus was mega with the crowd!, "A Bell Will Ring", "Live Forever" - Always a classic with the crowd!!, "The Meaning Of Soul", "Mucky Fingers"- I really wasn't expecting much from this as it's one of my least favorite tracks, but Noel really rocked it and it was better than the studio version in my opinion. Then came "Champagne Supernova" which Liam absolutely nailed word for word. There was no strain whatsoever. And finally "Rock & Roll Star"- What a way to close things out in Chicago! But wait, there was an encore!!

The songs in the encore were "Songbird"- Accoustic & Amazing, "Wonderwall"- Of course everyboy who weren't Oasis fans were waiting for this one, and everybody knew the words. "Don't Look Back In Anger"- Always a live classic. And finally "My Generation".

Some things of note: Liam was in a very playful rock&roll mood tonight and a couple of times I saw him balancing his tamborine on his head. He saw a sign by a fan about Man United which he of course had to comment on! There was this hot girl right in front of me (1st row),and Liam wanted her to take her top off but she wouldnt!! I wish I could have done it for him. I saw Noel checking her out as well; saw him crack a smile. The girl was going nuts. Liam kept looking over during a few songs, but she wouldn't budge. Haha, it's kind of cool when Liam is looking over at your general direction even if it's not at you. I guess that's the power Liam has on us all. He was posing for us all night jus standing still. Classic Liam. Noel to me did not seem very cheerful. Quite honestly, he looked tired and pissed. I don't know maybe Liam pissed him off earlier. But there was hardly any exchange whatsoever between the two. Beleive me I would know as I was right there. Zak Starkey was mental on the drums tonight. I have to say he is much better on the skins than Alan White ever could be. Zak Starkey is really what this band needed. His drum outros to some of the songs were quite stunning.

All in all an amazing concert, you should have been there. I was dissapointed it was the same setlist as Toronto & Detroit. I really was hoping for "Let There Be Love". But I guess they're saving that one for MSG. The one thing I remember a day after, is Liam's vocals. Amazingly good! People need to stop worrying, he's fine.

Hope you enjoyed my hastily written LONG review!!

Eric