Btuch Walker at the Double Door, Chicago, December 30, 2012

Once Bibi got to the Double Door, it was clear that strategic maneuvering would be required to get a primo view of Butch.  Actually, everyone was intent on doing the same thing, but were congenial about it.  Ages ranged from 21 to none of your business, but let's say mature, probably late 50's, early 60's.  The audience for Butch dressed to express themselves:  some jeans and t-shirts all over the fashion continuum to sequins/spangles and/or men in suits!  Whatever, everyone was angling to establish a preferred viewing space and a couple of drinks.  There was seating in a small, dark upstairs area; seemed like it would be somewhat obstructed view, so no loss to Bibi not to sit there.  Anyway, who wanted to sit?  Found a place at the bar (on the left side of the room, left side of the stage).  The couple next to Bibi had seen Butch a few times before as had the group of 3 girls on the other side of Bibi; was glad to have them around me for comparison data.

When the lights went down, there was a decided crush toward the stage, so Bibi's bar location really helped. There was a step under the bar which allowed me to be a bit taller than the people in front of us; cool!  Note in case you go to the Double Door:  it's a pretty small place, compared to any bar I've been to in Houston, so you could probably see Butch, even at the back, but Bibi would have been very disappointed to be so far away from the source of all light and life (Butch).

The stage was dark and then, Butch's unmistakable, ethereal  voice began ATL...omg.   Putting this one first, great strategic move from Butch.  He gave himself a low-key intro (he was at the keyboard) and the following songs steadily built momentum and helped increase fan delirium as the set list revealed itself.  The crowd was already hyped up and opening with this acknowledged Butch and fan fave was a great gambit.  Next, Bibi LOVES Passed Your Place, Saw Your Car and me along with the rest of the crowd literally swooned listening to Butch's total immersion and delivery.  His voice--so true--just caressed this one--what a choice selection!  Bibi could make this the longest blog post ever and go through each song.  She could.  They were all excellent, inclusions, revving up from the Sycamore Meadows selections to the classic singalong, She Likes Hairbands, segue-ing into (maybe my favorite of the night) Race Cars and Goth Rock, two of my fave rockers from the Spade, and then 3 Kids in Brooklyn.  Short break and the guys came back for the real finale, Sucker Punch.   Huge Bon Scott scream here!!!

Tough to declare a favorite cut of the night--Butch is such a showman, a complete stage star--he takes the audience to an incandescent in-the-moment place with each song--full out, killing it on guitar and vocals, incredible.  Suffice it to say that Butch knows his material and its effect on his audience and he played it to the max for us.  The setlist built up the intensity, going from mellow to total over the top rock till you drop.  The entire show was unbelievably charged throughout and by the time we go to what the audience knew was the last song, there was a total Butch Walker fan crazy atmosphere--THANK YOU, BUTCH!!

BTW:  Really, who has the BEST rock star hair on earth??  Only one candidate and the winner is BUTCH WALKER!!  Enjoy it/Butch here during Sucker Punch, the finale of the show:

BEST ROCK STAR HAIR

Here's the set list, not including the three new songs:

ATL
Passed Your Place, Saw Your Car
Going Back Going Home
Closer to the Truth
Pretty Melody
Dublin Crow
The Closest Thing
The Weight of Her
She Likes Hairbands
Race Cars and Goth Rock
Synthesizers
Summer of '89
3 Kids in Brooklyn
Sucker Punch

Butch talked a lot about guitar playing, played some ZZ Top riffs and a song I can't identify, yet.  He didn't have to convince the faithful about his guitar skills--we already knew--but if you had expected merely a  great singer who happens to be drop dead good-looking with a fabulous stage persona, you would have been hugely delighted and greatly impressed to hear Butch's playing.  Butch clearly enjoyed himself, showing off, singing and having his lyrics and tunes sung back at him, jumping all over the stage singing and playing some really great music and, said it before:  damn, he's good-looking!  The three new songs sounded up to Butch's usual high standards, a bit more country-influenced, with some slide guitar thrown in--very cool, very self-assured.  Waiting impatiently for the new album.

Maybe next time Bibi gets to see Butch, she'll know how to work the video in the phone.  Then, the only possible constraint will be getting to/staying near the front of the stage, right?

So, overall, JUST LOVED IT, wanted MORE, MORE, MORE!!!  Can't wait for the tour supporting the new album.

Yes, have to say it:  Love you, Butch!