Crossroads Guitar Festival - Bridgeview, IL

07/28/2007
Eric Clapton's Crossroads Festival
Toyota Park
Bridgeview, IL

What an incredible day of music! It was a very long day...I think that I'm getting too old :) We had general admission tickets, and didn't know that we could bring in blankets and pillows. Luckily, they gave us a brochure in the parking lot, and we grabbed some towels out of the truck to sit on. For July, the weather cooperated quite nicely. It was about 80 degrees, but cloudy (thank goodness!!) There was a wind out of the north, which helped to keep things cool.

The entire show was incredible. They had a stage that revolved around, so there was very little "down time" between artists. As one act was performing, they were able to set up the equipment for the next act...and then twirl the stage around. Bill Murray was the host for the day, and did a great job!

I was very impressed with Derek Trucks and his band. I could have done without Willie Nelson. It took him half way through the first song to remember the lyrics, and he was very boring! Shery Crow was great, but I wish that she played longer. Jeff Beck was good...and had a (very!) young lady bass player who was incredible...but an hour was a bit too long for all instrumental stuff. Robert Randolph was great, and B.B. King put on a great show as well.

We left a bit early, and missed the last part of Clapton, and Buddy Guy. But after nearly 10 hours of sitting on the ground, we were worn out. The good thing, though, was that it didn't take us two extra hours to get out of the parking lot!

I'm a bit sore after sitting / standing on the lawn for 10 hours, but that's okay :) This was an incredible event, with an impressive line-up, for a great cause. *AND* the did it in Chicago :)

Artist Listing:
Jeff Beck
Doyle Bramhall II
Eric Clapton
Robert Cray
Sheryl Crow
Vince Gill
Buddy Guy
BB King
Alison Krauss and Union Station
Sonny Landreth
Albert Lee
Los Lobos
John Mayer
John McLaughlin
Willie Nelson
Robert Randolph
Hubert Sumlin
Derek Trucks
Jimmie Vaughan
Steve Winwood

Reviews:

Rolling Stone 1
Rolling Stone 2
Rolling Stone Pics
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune Interview with Clapton
MSN Clips

Dave Matthews Band - Bridgeview, IL

07/08/2007
Dave Matthews Band
Toyota Park
Bridgeview, IL

Opening Band: Guster

This was our first trip to the relatively new Toyota Park, and it was a pretty nice place to see a show! The only downfall was that it took quite a while to get out of the parking lot after the show. But it was relatively close to home (about an hour), and sure beats the heck out of the World / Tweeter Center / First Midwest Bank Ampitheatre (or whatever name it is going by these days).

The weather was hotter than hell, and I would have to say that this show was even hotter!! This was the first show of the summer tour, and the band seemed ready to kick it off great! Dave busted a move numerous times, and the set list was incredible. To top it off, they played the elusive Two Step as the final song. I have been waiting so long to hear that one again live, so I was thrilled!

Set List:
One Sweet World *
You Might Die Trying *
Still Water
Don’t Drink the Water *
Grey Street *
Louisiana Bayou *
The Idea Of You *
What Would You Say *
Anyone Seen The Bridge *
Too Much *
Falling Off The Roof [new song] +
Dream Girl *
The Maker *
Seek Up *
Satellite *
Crush *
Stay (Wasting Time) *

Encore:
Sister ~
Two Step *

Notes:
* Rashawn Ross
+ Dave and Carter
~ Dave Solo