We capped off Lotus’s fall touring schedule with 2 big shows in Chicago and New York. On Friday 11/27 the band and crew converged on Chicago early in the day to start setting up at the Vic. Fly-away gigs can be difficult as they involve a lot of rented gear and local help getting everyone to the right place at the right time. Thankfully all the flights were on time and the crew at the Vic was fantastic. The Vic is an old theater built in 1912 that sounds and looks amazing. The high balcony offers some interesting views of the stage that fans don’t often get to experience. Many great photographers were in attendance to capture the action including Chad Smith, Aaron Engler, Brad Johnson and Cory Giacalone…. also, there was a fog machine the size of a small car and a vulture-fueled, old-man hat donning Brent Kado fulfilled his dreams as a hype-man.
Set 1: Grayrigg, Simian, Nematode, Invincibility Of Youth, Livingston Storm, Golden Ghost, Age of Inexperience, Tarasque
Set 2: Juggernaut, Hammerstrike, 128, Did Fatt > Intro To A Cell, Blacklight Sunflare, Spiritualize
E: Marisol, Flower Sermon
Following the show we had to go directly to the airport to catch an early flight to New York. The Lotus crew sprawled out around our gate with flight cases of gear everywhere was either pathetic, hilarious or disturbing. Despite some problems with the plane and a couple delays we made it to Terminal 5 about an hour early. Terminal 5 is a huge room on the west side of Manhattan that was previously dance clubs of various names over the years. We actually played the room for an event when it was called Exit 2 a number of years ago. Since it opened an T5 they have put in a giant stage (perfect for our light show) and a great sound system. Jeremy Greenspan from Junior Boys spun a set before RJD2 took the reins on the ones and twos. Make that the 1s, 2s, 3s and 4s – RJ used 4 turntables, an MPC and about 50 records to crank out an hour of his signature mix of music. Lotus hit the stage for one long high-energy set to a packed dance floor as the amped crowd danced off any remaining Thanksgiving calories.
Photos by Chris Becker for www.greenshoelaces.com and Jeremy Gordon.
Suitcases, Lou Carcohl, Wax, Behind Midwest Storefronts, Molluskunk, Spiritualize > It’s All Clear > Space Oddity > It’s All Clear > Spiritualize, Greet the Mind, In an Outline,Bellwether
E: Dowrn, Tip of the Tongue
Big thanks to everyone who helped us put on our biggest headlining shows to date in two of our favorite cities.
