petergabriel.com

A review with lots of pictures: http://consequenceofsound.net/2012/09/live-review-peter-gabriel-at-chicagos-united-center-927/

Bummer about the pics. I am usually all over the net looking for reviews of shows before I go to them, this time I made it a point to not do so. Perhaps in my uneducated state my expectations were too high. Really, can anyone top the likes of Secret World Live? We were sitting in the first row off the floor even with the sound board, sec. 102 if anyone is familiar with the UC. One thing I have learned over the years is that where you are sitting, particularly in a huge hockey arena, makes a huge difference in your experience. I saw Genesis twice at the UC in 2007 once from 15 rows back center floor and the next night right behind the sound board 5 rows up. Both were great shows, but totally different experiences. I'm sure last night was as different for everyone else as those shows were for me. Did anyone else get the huge bass overload during Don't Give Up? Maybe it was where we were only, But Tony was hitting a particular note that just seemed to vibrate the whole place and drown out everything else. The rest of the show the sound was excellent. We were far enough away to not catch many of the nuances that you guys saw close up. At the end of Tower, I kept thinking of Spinal Tap, what if he gets stuck in there!

Hi. Glad you guys are enjoying the shows. We are going to see the show again at the Hollywood Bowl, and Santa Barbara bowl. I was lucky enough to have been invited to a full production run-through in Quebec at the Colisee Pepsi before the tour started (2 days before) and they actually played about 2.5 hours of material right through...including Humdrum, Games Without Frontiers and I think one more that I can't recall at the moment. Was really great. Hopefully these will start to make their way out into the shows. Both were extraordinary.

Can anyone tell me what to expect? I just watched several bits from the Toronto show on youtube. Constant talking from start to finish of each song. Is that what Peter Gabriel fans are like nowadays,-- assholes?

RobertArthur -- If you check out other shows (I'm sure there are others on youtube -- I've yet to look at any of those -- I'll wait until it's all over), I think you'll find that all of the crowds are different. As for folks talking from start to finish of each song -- that's really sad and I'm glad I did not have that experience anywhere. In Philly, we were all just up on our feet in the entire floor section (and I think even throughout the venue). In NY, not many up on their feet, very mixed group of people -- some really into it while others weren't quite sure about it, but at least did not behave badly (by chatting), so I was lucky so far -- I hope your own personal experience is great!

@the piano kid: as a member of the general audience, i am sorry for for letting the first row down. we should be behind you 100% both figuratively and literally.

I managed to score 2nd row seats without a package. I thought the show itself was pretty fantastic. The start was slow, though. I'm one who doesn't think the acoustic style suits songs like Come Talk To Me--when you have Manu back in the band, it seems a shame to tame it down that way, instead of the full-on Secret World Tour-style performance. But Family Snapshot was perfect, and a great transition to using the lights. Finally seeing No Self Control, complete with the crane lights, was maybe the peak of the show for me. It was great to see some of the darker, arty stuff, which he's ignored (at least in the US) for so long. All that said, there was a girl in the row behind me who was apparently over-served, or on something, or had mental issues, shouting "I LOVE YOU PETERRRR!!!!" every other minute or so, at excruciating, shrieking volume, regardless of if he was talking, or singing quietly, or anything. I'm not even sure if it's worth buying the live audio from the show, as I'm SURE she probably made it to the recording. For anyone who thinks other people SITTING inhibits your enjoyment of the show, try dealing with that. For the past 5-10 years or so, I've been destined to be near talkers, or, now THIS person. At the last New Blood show, I had to tell a woman to shut up who was sitting 10 or more seats away--I could STILL hear her conversation through most of the show. Sadly, every live show I go to is like that anymore. If artists would guarantee a live Blu-Ray from each tour would be produced, I might see fit never to buy a concert ticket again. Oh, lastly....for those that did the soundcheck, can you let me know what was played? I'm jealous about Humdrum, but still had about the best seat I've ever had, for a normal ticket price, so I'm not complaining.

I hate people turning their cellphones on during a concert. It takes you and others out of the action and makes you think more about *documenting* your experience rather than actually *enjoying* that experience. It is rude and about as 'appropriate' as looking at your watch while having sex.

I missed Humdrum? Damn!!! What a treat for the soundcheck crew! I will sell plasma and one of my beat-up kidneys for a VIP package the next time he tours. He has to play Lay Your Hands on Me for the new setlist. And Humdrum. @Kotangens- Agreed and agreed.

JohnnyFeathers -- funny you said that, I heard that girl on numerous occasions too!

Wish I could edit my posts so I didn't have to keep adding more, but I gotta say that while it must have been extremely frustrating to be right by her, the distance I had from her had me more appreciative of her enthusiasm! You know your section is dead when you're thankful for the obnoxious screamers.

I'd have gladly ushered her to your section if you liked her "enthusiasm". And yeah, between shrieking at the top of her lungs, she was checking her cell phone or weeping (yes, weeping) with her friend or girlfriend. Please, PLEASE, give me a whole crowd of "lame" fans who *GASP* sit and listen attentively. Sounds like heaven to me. Apparently she had arranged a seat swap with someone. At least that's what it seemed like. So when So started, some other girl came up, and the screamer thanked her profusely for her generosity, and then left to take, I assume, the other girl's seat somewhere else. I was thrilled, until she came back toward the end.

Well....reading all these complaints have made me just a bit bummed about the show. But I still had a great time, standing or not, (and heard the "We love you Peter" lady as well! Glad I wasn't next to her!) Anyway...Tony's pictures are up and I can see me! Yea! And I'm standing and cheering in all of them. In the very first shot I'm all the way at the edge on the left. In the rest I'm six people to right of a red shirt guy. Lol - I'm like a giant since those next to be were about a foot shorter. Thank you Tony for the pics!

Oh yeah.... the link: http://www.papabear.com/tours/pg12/pg12_14.htm

Hahaha, Ela, at one point I said that out loud. 'Common, we aren't that old yet.' Hum Drum sounded great, but apparently not good enough for Peter yet. A certain amount of VIP tickets get distributed to various sponsors, and such. Agree it's kind of sad when someone who isn't really interested gets great seats. Nature of the beast. My pics are a variety of not bad to blur. Didn't really spend that much time worrying about it and looking at my camera, when there was an awesome concert going on. Don't take credit for Humdrum, maybe one or two others Beaker. Hmmm, I'll take credit for The Tower That Ate People. And yes, Norman was cool, but couldn't get us up for the after show stuff after all. It was great meeting Beaker and Brian and Bert was there too. Met Beaker in the lobby before the show. I finally asked the question, "Beaker?" Finally a friend to talk too. That's one of the things I love the most about Peter Gabriel is his fans. They are pretty cool. Sorry we didn't pick you out of the crowd Piano. Ouch on losing your photos Piano.

Except for the soundcheck, I'm pretty much just part of the crowd, but what a crowd. Thanks for the link Beaker.

Saw Tony's pictures. The horrible "I LOVE YOU PETERRR!!!" girl is in the 2nd picture of the sound check crowd, front left, and bottom right corner of the 4th sound check pic. If you're reading this: You suck. Please, next time you feel like going to a show and behaving like that....stay home instead. The rest of us will thank you.

if you can afford a private showing by mr. gabriel, then make it so. otherwise, STFU because you are just another person in the crowd. you do not determine how often a fan calls out, how much someone is served, or especially when somebody should stay home. i was seated in the same area and she was not shouting "every minute or so." i also did not observe items b through e on the kid's list. i was standing throughout much of parts 2 and 3 with other enthusiastic fans.

She actually was shouting every few minutes or so. I'm sure the recording will bear that out, particularly during the quieter acoustic part, when we can all relive her behavior. And there were at least three rows of people glaring back at her, and sharing knowing, resigned glances with one another all through the show, as she shrieked at the most inappropriate moments. I'm not making it up. If Peter spoke to the crowd, she shrieked so that we couldn't hear him. It's obnoxious, selfish behavior, and I don't see any problem calling it out as such. At one point the person directly in front of her (poor guy) asked her to be quiet, and she said something to the effect of "I'm a VIP, I can do what I want." It's this sense of entitlement that infuriates me. "I'm ENTITLED to be heard by everyone at this show. I'm ENTITLED to be as loud as possible, and not respect those around me. I paid my money, and I can behave however I like." I don't care if you stand, or sit, or dance. I myself did all of that, as was appropriate to the song and the crowd. Texting and taking photos is annoying, but mostly harmless. But I do care when people are selfish and have no consideration for others--whether they're over-served or not has nothing to do with it, and isn't an excuse either way. I agree with you--I'm one person in a crowd, and I behave as such. Not everyone has such manners, and over the past several years I've seen more and more behavior like this. People seem intent on making an event about THEM. And anyone who would ask they please be polite only serve to encourage them. My post wasn't some sort of command, it was an admittedly futile request, and an expression of frustration. Show was still great, though. And I suppose I'm done even talking about the girl, as the attention is probably exactly what she wanted to begin with.

"I'm sure the recording will bear that out, particularly during the quieter acoustic part, when we can all relive her behavior." at least you are willing to review some evidence now that you singled her out (twice) in a photo. let's use tony's photo evidence for other purposes: http://www.papabear.com/tours/pg12/pg12_14.htm the second to last photo is near the end of BIKO. kid, do you wish to stick to your claim that "EVERYONE LEFT DURING BIKO. WHAAAAAAAT THE HELL?" seriously, both of you spent more time criticizing the audience rather than providing a review of the performance. give me a break.