November 21, 2004 - Chicago, IL - Allstate Arena

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General Information

Date: November 21, 2004
Location: Chicago, IL
Venue: Allstate Arena; 6920 Mannheim Rd Rosemont, IL 60018; U.S.A. [ Venue website ]
Box Office Number: (847)635-6601
Additional Info: Support Act: The Exies.

Thanks to Stephen Ryan, Aaron and Gwaite for the set list info. Thanks to John B. Comerford for the ticket scan!

Set List

• Sucker Train Blues
• Do it For the Kids
• Headspace
• Superhuman
• Illegal I
• Crackerman
• Fall To Pieces
• Big Machine
• It's So Easy
• Sex Type Thing
• Set Me Free
• Used to Love Her
• Mr. Brownstone
• Slither

Reviews (32) [ send in your own review/pictures of the Chicago show ]

Thanks to Matt: Well I thought the show kicked some major ass. I didn't really like The Exies and the 1 hr and 20 min wait pissed me off. But then I saw the greatest rock show in all my life and after Used To Love Her Slash flicked his cig and it went on the floor between the rail. The guard picked it up for me so I got Slash's cig. Fuckin awesome I'm seein these guys again.

Thanks to Tim Jensen: Velvet Revolver was fucking awesome. It was great being front row dead center for me since I've been GNR since I was in 5th grade. It was awesome. I got the sun glasses of Scott Weiland and the Exies set list and Slash did throw me a pick but the fucking guard took it and kept it. When Duff was opening 5 feet in front of me looking at me it was great. The sound was awesome.

Thanks to Alex: This was my first concert! Believe me I will never forget this night!!! The only bad thing was we had to wait an hour for them to come on. It was worth the wait for me because they put on a great show. The best moment of the show was when they performed Fall To Pieces!!! It was magical for me!! Everyone around me was singing along with Scott. Velvet Revolver kicks so much ass than any other band out there right now!! Thanks alot guys for making that night the best night of my life!!!!

Thanks to Ted Dehart: First time ever to see Slash and crew, a little late getting on though, but when they did boy look out!!! There's no way in God's green earth Scott was on any kind of substance no way, he slitherd did 360's. Very cool shit and they even did a couple of GNR stuff, Mr Brownstone sounded better than Axl. And Used To Love Her very cool and my favorite song on the album Fall To Pieces sounded great. Worth the money if you think ya might wana check em out you should do so cause I tell one of the best rock and roll shows in a long time.

Thanks to Ryan and Jordan: I thought that the Velvet Revolver show was awsome. I don't know what the hell Saul was talking about. If any thing it should of been louder. I think a Coldplay concert would be perfect for you Sauly boy. I also loved when the two chicks made out and flashed. Sweet action.

Thanks to Alex: Velvet Revolver played a great show at the Allstate. The Exies did a great job opening for Velvet Revolver. Though the wait for Velvet Revolver was like an hour, it was all worth it. They played the same set list as they did for their other shows. I really wanted to hear Dirty Little Thing. They still blew me away with Slither, Set Me Free and Mr. Brownstone. Before Velvet Revolver hit the stage this one guy in the standing floor got punched really bad in the nose, there was so much blood dripping from his nose it looked insane. Anyway I was really fortunate to be right on the rails. At the end of the show Matt Sorum handed me his wooden drumstick. I was so geeked after he handed me his chopstick my girlfriend thought I was a nut case. Great show. Velvet Revolver rocked the Allstate Arena for sure......yeah.

Thanks to Tom: I was really pissed about the 1 hour & 20 minute wait for them to take the stage, & thought the sound was terrible, but the show was worth seeing.

Thanks to Dan: This was only my second rock concert and it definitely kicked ass. The opening band which I had never heard of before, The Exies, was actually pretty good to my surprise. Unfortunately the crowd didn't seem to get into their music. Only when the lead singer would mention "Velvet Revolver" between songs would the crowd generate any sort of noise. Speaking of the crowd: man was it small. Only half the crowd was even there for the opening band, but even during the main show, most of the upper deck was completely empty. It's a shame a true rock band like this gets so little recognition while Extreme Night In, which is filled with posers and wannabes, gets sold out months in advance.

Anyways, on to the actual show. I guess I'll have to complain a bit here: the wait was way too damn long. I went to the Metallica/Godsmack concert at the Allstate August 27th and both bands had much more complex shows and the wait was nearly half this. During the nearly hour and a half between bands, I heard lots of RHCP and Queens of the Stone Age, and saw a bloody nose and 6 boobies.

When Velvet Revolver finally did take the stage, it was amazing. Every member of the band shined, but some things were definitely disappointing. The music was definitely a tad too loud and the wrong parts were too loud. I had to listen very carefully in order to make out Slash's parts at times, even sometimes during his solos. The bass and rhythm guitar dominated the show leaving little room for Slash to come out. Scott even hang his mic over the drumset in order for us to hear the kickin drum solo at point in the show and even then it was barely audible and you had to strain your ears listening for it.

Enough complaining though. This show kicked ass. The good ole fashioned ass-kicking rock and roll was just great to hear and experience. I'm always mad for being born too late to experience the true rock bands from the 70s-90s live, but getting the opportunity to see bands like Velvet Revolver and Metallica play in Chicago is a real treat. It was especially cool when Velvet Revolver came back for their encore and added the red "Velvet Revolver" sign in front of the white "Velvet Revolver" sign that was already up, and Slash put on his top hat. It was almost like they were saying "Okay, get ready for the real show".

So all in all, this "arena rock extravaganza" kicked ass, even if the sound wasn't too great. Now to patiently await the arrival of AC/DC and GNR. Rock and fucking roll on!!!

Thanks to mike c: F***ing amazing!! I have never been so amazed in my life. Weiland is a God and the rest of the band are just as good. Each one stole the show at times, whether it was in front of everyone or in the back playing. Best show I have ever been at!! Rock and F***ing Roll.

Thanks to Nailstone: I'm still in state of bliss. I saw STP at the UIC Pavillion after they released Purple and they rocked! But last night's show doesn't compare. Having Matt, Duff and Slash to complement Scott and each other, this band is a historical one. They are all great entertainers! The show was excellent! I just hope they stay together for a long time because I expect some good music yet to come.

Thanks to Ryan Dorgan: What an amazing show! I'll start from the beginning - The Exies. Pretty good band, I liked their sound, but they really didn't seem to be having fun. They did a lot of plugs for their new album though. Just seemed like an infomercial with music videos between the plugs. Exies left the stage and there began the long wait for Velvet Revolver. Everyone started to get bored and restless after what seemed to be the entire "Californication" album played over the PA. Thank God some lovely ladies with some very nice tats shared their...mmm hmm... gifts... with us. They were taken backstage before the show. Made me wonder "Hmm.. maybe if I shook my wee wee I'd get backstage too."

Anyway, all the sudden the lights go down...."CHIICAGGGOOOOO!!!! HERE'S THE BAND THAT PUTS PUNK BACK IN PUNCTUALITY... FROM HOLLYWOOD.... Velvet Revolver!!!" Duff starts up Sucker Train Blues, looking very GN'Rish with a headband pulling his hair out of his face. Some wicked sweet purple lights were swirling behind him. From then on it was a blur. As soon as Matt hit the snare setting up the first big riff in STB, everyone went nuts. Scott stressed many times throughout the evening that we were all one... that's what great about rock n' roll. "We're one of you, you're one of us. That's how all this happens... That's how it happens... That's what makes this all fucking work..."

It was a sweet show. Not as good as the Riviera earlier this year... much more intimate. A lot more fun on the floor. This was actually the first rock concert I've been to where I've had a seat. Not fun at all. No energy. :( Oh well, I can't complain too much about seeing the greatest band on Earth right about now. Sweet show overall. I was really diggin' the new sign! Very KISS! Haha

Thanks to April: The show was awesome!!!! This was my first concert ever and I loved the experience. All of the guys put on a great performance, but Slash was the best on his guitar solos. The best part was the opening, the crowd had been waiting for an hour and the guys come on playing Sucker Train Blues and the crowd started going crazy!! I love you guys come back and perform!!!!!

Thanks to Ellen: The show, once it started, was good. I was pissed the band made us wait from 8:10 when the opening act left, till 9:30 to take the stage. That is crappy and I was ready to leave without seeing the show. The sound also was of poor quality, pretty distorted. The performances were good, again once they decided to finally take the stage. Pretty damn rude if you ask me......

Thanks to Al Lindquist: They rocked big time!!! They were the second best show I've ever seen (I don't think anything will beat the Van Halen show I went to). They definitely did the whole flashback thing, with the loud announcer introducing "From Hollywood...Velvet Revolver!!". It may have been the same guy that did GNR. When Sucker Train Blues started up the concert, just loud, fast, with the strobe lights going off like crazy...it was the perfect definition of what rock and roll should be, which most of today's music is forgetting. Favorites of mine that were played included Big Machine, Do it for the Kids and Headspace. The best parts of the show were without a doubt It's So Easy and Mr. Brownstone, because the crowd just loved it and Scott sang them so well (in fact, much better than when I heard Axl sing it at that same venue exactly two years and three days ago...pretty cool, huh?) and the Velvet Revolver bests were Illegal i Song, Set Me Free and Slither. Those stood out because they were extended to about double their original length, with a talkbox solo by Slash (who is one of the best guitarists I've ever seen), an extended solo by both Slash and Dave during Set Me Free and the solo during Slither was extended by about three times the original length. All the guys were just awesome, Scott really has an energy almost similar to Mick Jagger with his constant "strutting" that was just cool (and he loves that bullhorn) and Slash... he's a legend. Dave, Duff, and Matt rocked the night away, each of them playing with a love for the music. I liked how they just went straight for rock and roll, without any fancy pyrotechnics or confetti or even a giant video screen. The giant Las Vegas style Velvet Revolver lights really defined the mood, something of which more rock bands should remember: Just RN'F'N'R: Rock n' Fuckin' Roll!

Thanks to Saul: Maybe all of these people saw a different show but I thought the sound was terrible. Not the fault of the band but definetly the soundman. It was way too loud and not enough Slash. The merch was cool and the opening band sucked ass! And why so many empty seats?? That shit should have sold out in a day. Oh well maybe it's just me but my ears are killing me today.

Thanks to Switch-WJJO Madison: What an experience! The excitement I had as soon as the ticket was in my hand can not be described. Great energy from Scott(as always) and they all sounded great! It was awesome to hear Slash and his solo's. The only thing that kind of brought the night down... we waited over an hour for Velvet Revolver to come on after their opening band. The crowd started to get a little restless. But there were some boobs to keep us entertained!

I will go see Velvet Revolver again!

Thanks to Shannon Eddy: That show was intense I was on the floor level and the music sounded so tight. I enjoyed the tunes they played from their previous bands. The lighting so awesome.

Thanks to Plushman: I still can't believe that getting into STP when Weiland was in jail during the No.4 era, I've had the opportunity to see Scott grace the stage 5 times. This was the second time I've seen Velvet Revolver, which wasn't up to par with the first Chicago show at the Riveria (more intimate,virgin experience), but an excellent show none the less. Great energy and fan interaction. For the people who've never seen them before this, they got a great first show. For me, the highlight was Superhuman. Gotta love it!!

Thanks to KingJules: Velvet Revolver kicked major ass, which more than made up for the crummy opening act (I don't even know what they were called) and the hell of a long wait for them to come out. The opener really did suck. I got bored at one point when the guy was talking and shouted "go find Slash." Alas, when Velvet Revolver came out, Slash was far too quiet for my liking. The axe, that is. He was incredibly vocal, grabbing the mic every now and then and shouting something at us. He clearly knew who everybody had paid to see in Chicago.

As for the set, it was mainly the standard set they've been playing. 'Mr Brownstone' made an appearance, which was very cool. Not sure if Velvet Revolver had done it before. The extended solos all rocked, even if they were far too quiet. The acoustic intro to 'Used to Love Her' was really cool. My only qualm is that they didn't play 'You Got No Right' while the acoustics were out. I know they haven't been, but it's a whole lot of people's favourite of their songs, myself included.

Nonetheless, all that was played rocked. A great time was had by all, and we can't wait for more. Turn up the axeman, dammit!

Thanks to Stephen Ryan: The show was excellent. The best show I have ever witnessed. Slash was insane and for Scott. Let's just say that dude is the best frontman right now in all of music!

Thanks to Stephanie: This is the second time I have seen Velvet Revolver and they were just as good as the first time. I was front row and the ability to see how freakin crazy Scott was, was just incredible. Slash, do I really need to say more, gets better and better each time I see him. Their energy and their talent was worth every dime I spent.

Thanks to Ryan: First of all, let me say that Velvet Revolver is the best band in the world right now. Seeing them for the first time live last night was arguably the best experience of my life. They absolutely fucking rocked, hands down.

To start off, I was about fifteen feet from the stage almost in the middle, just slightly to the right. A better view than I could have ever dreamt of. The Exies came on right on time at 7:30 and played roughly eight or nine songs. I thought they did a pretty good job, but the crowd was not really into them. Many times in between songs, they would chant "Velvet Revolver." After closing their set around 8:10 or so, the long wait began. The stage was already partially set up even when the Exies were playing, but the nit-picking details still had to be completed. After about 45 minutes, many in the crowd started to get pissed off, including myself. To keep our minds off the long wait, three girls lifted their shirts, catching everyone's attention. A few minutes later, a fight broke out a few feet from me to the right, leaving one of the guys bloodied. Anyway, after an hour, I was really getting nervous; I was afraid something was wrong with one of the band members.

Those fears were taken away when the lights suddenly went down (around 9:30 or so), the curtain was moved over, and the announcer from the GN'R days yelled, "Chicago!" Duff then emerged with a blue headband, began Sucker Train Blues and the rest was history. Slash, Scott, Duff, Dave and Matt were in brilliant form. The energy in the general admission crowd was amazing; basically, we were all going nuts. The band then zipped through the other regulars, showing amazing emotion (more than I've seen of video clips of this band). They also interacted with the crowd a lot and moved around the stage a ton. After Set Me Free, they left, then came back with Slash sporting his top hat. They then played Used to Love Her, Mr. Brownstone and closed with a brilliant version of Slither. Personally, I was drained by the end, but it was all worth it. These guys absolutely rock, and if you get a chance, I suggest you see them.

Thanks to Agnes: It was great show. Slash, Duff, Matt - well, they were just incredible. For someone like me, who is in love with GNR since I can remember and who was dreaming of seeing those guys alive it was awesome!!! I stand as close as only I could - just in front of the scene - so I saw them as close as only it was possible. The only things which bothered me were: waiting an hour and a half between support band and regular show, only one hour and 20 minutes of concert (not too much...). And why they even didn't say goodnight? And thanks at the end? They didn't nod, as normally bands do? That was a bit strange. But, inspite of all that, show was great and it really was worth to be waiting for. I hope they'll come back to Chicago soon.

Thanks to David Brown: I've been going to concerts for almost 40 years now. I had the pleasure of seeing Velvet Revolver last night at the Allstate Arena in Chicago. Notice I said "seeing". Hearing is another story. It had to be the crappiest sound I've ever experienced. It was a very muddy painful experience.

Thanks to Alejandro: The show was amazing, everyone was pumped up, they performed an almost acoustic version of Used To Love Her, but I must say the audio was terrible it was the worst ever, you could barely hear Slash, Duff's mic was louder than Scott's. You couldn't understand a word they said unless you knew the lyrics by heart and the only thing that was very clear was the bass drum, but besides that the show was amazing, really really incredible energy.

Thanks to gwaite: WHOOWHOOO!! Last night's show was a rock show for sure! I had a great time and everything about the evening was enjoyable. It took the boys an hour and a half to take the stage after the warm-up band (whose set I skipped) left the stage. We were getting a little squirrely and I heard some guy say the couldn't find Scott Weiland. I was like God, don't pull an Axl on us. Finally, at 9:24, the announcer says, "the band that puts the punk in punctuality, from Hollywood, Velvet Revolver!"

The entire band's performance was incredible and after Sucker Train Blues Scott said "we are Velvet Revolver and we are here to mutha' f*ckin' Rock N' Roll!" They did. The songs that got the biggest response from the crowd were Sucker Train Blues, Do It For The Kids, Big Machine, all the GNR and STP covers. I would have liked to hear them do No More, No More but maybe I'll see Aerosmith do it. The whole crowd nailed the f*ck off! during It's So Easy, awesome. The stage setup was simple, but they had a great Velvet Revolver symbol is yellow light and Velvet Revolver in red lights. They also had a Rock N' F*ckin' Roll banner: simple, but affective. The show was a rock spectacle and Duff, Slash and Scott worked the crowd the entire time. Even if you're a casual listener, go! You'll have fun. In case you want to know about what's for sale, go to www.VelvetRevolver.com. They have all those designs for sale at the shows, except that one white ringer shirt. The men's shirts are $30, $35 for long-sleeved, $50 for a hooded sweatshirt, $35 for girls shirt, $10 for pins, $3 for stickers, $5 for poster, $30 for hats, and $20 for thongs.

Thanks to Velvet RevolverMania: Oh my god!! This show was unreal. I was at the Riv when they first came to Chicago and like this one they made you wait like an hour and a half before they came on, but that all didn't matter when you heard the opening to Sucker Train Blues. Everyone in the band was so full of energy it was insane. Scott was moving around the stage like a mad man and Slash well he was Slash, he was awesome. Duff, Matt and Dave, all did their thing and rocked. The set was awesome, Superhuman was unreal live. They did each song to perfection and made it sound like something out of this world, it was awesome. Best songs for me were - It's So Easy, Sex Type Thing and Slither, they I think stole the show. This is the 2nd time Velvet Revolver has been to Chicago and let's hope there are many more shows to come. Keep on rocking.

Thanks to Travis: Really cool show tonight. I saw Velvet Revolver back in May when they played a smaller venue here in town. This was before the album was released which created a level of suspense for the crowd not knowing what songs would be played, something I kind of missed being in an arena. But, I digress. It was very cool to see every member of the band take the spotlight now and then. Sure, Scott prancing around and Slash being the guitar god that he is are going to the attention, but seeing Duff and Dave Kushner soak it up was bitchin'. Even Matt got some deserved limelight for the kickin' drums tonight.

I was really looking forward to hearing "No More, No More" being a huge Aerosmith fan. But, dammit, it wasn't played. Oh well. All in all, a damn fine rock 'n f'n roll show.

Thanks to Vicki: The show was awesome! The wait between the opening act and Velvet Revolver was a bit long - but totally worth it! Weiland is so amazing. Hope to see him again soon!

Thanks to John B. Comerford: On November 21, there was a dichotomy of events in Chicago. Simultaneously something unexpected happened along with something generally expected. For once the sound quality was amazing at the Allstate Arena and as usual, Velvet Revolver took stage and took charge. The show was surreal, but as with any review, one must way the positives and the negatives. In this case because the show was so amazing, I'll start with the negatives if for no other reason than to leave you with the positive atmosphere I left with when exiting from the Allstate Arena.

The opening band The Exies were very good, but why did they only play three songs from the debut album? No one knew enough about the new music to really get into this great band. And we were left with the feeling that The Exies (again... a great band) were there more so to plug there new album than to do what they supposedly loved... play rock 'n roll. They told us who they were almost five times and told us about there next album maybe even more. It was the general consensus that no one at the show understood not only why we had to wait an hour for Velvet Revolver to take stage, but why they only played for just over an hour. Fifty dollar tickets might justify a longer set time to a lot of fans who so loyally follow the band. It could be argued that Velvet Revolver only has one album out, but what about the three cover tunes that they've done (which they'll gladly take your money to own on there soon to be re-released bonus edition of Contraband)? Just those three songs would've added nicely to the set time. And why did we get a sit down "Used To Love Her" instead of a sit down "You Got No Right?" The track list was generally the same as it was six months ago at the Riv. Maybe the plan was simply to wow us with the ambiance at the Allstate. And for once that what the Allstate had... emotion.

The sound quality, for nearly the first time at the Allstate, was amazing. The band sounded like they were playing there album for us, instead of covering it live. But there was no confusion that the band was actually playing because when Slither started with that amazing longer intro, or Slash broke in midset with his guitar voice box, we were witness to a real, live "Arena Rock Extravaganza" as Weiland put it. As usual Scott was a slithering, writhing, sarcastic front man and Slash was a gratuitous guitar jamming rock god. He even took note to recognize the fans for funding the amazing light up Velvet Revolver signage that graced the stage rhetorically asking "You like our sign.... you guys got that for us". The set was incredible and from the floor about 22 feet in front of the stage it appeared that we were viewing a high definition DVD due to the ambient lighting. The Velvet Revolver light show was incredible and it created a glossy 3-D atmosphere which further propelled this band as a super group in the minds of its fans even more so than the show they put on months back at the Riviera. This, combined with the enigmatic front man made viewing the rock show as amazing as hearing it tonight. This band has never failed to deliver during its performances.

Simply put, although Velvet Revolver could stand to mix up it's set list a little and play a little longer for it's supergroup prices, the band delivers performance on a regular basis. The crew was there every time Weiland need a mic and Slash needed a guitar. They lit the stage and actually made the Allstate sound good. The band performance and made us believe they were a supergroup with tractor pull bass lines, screaming guitars, pounding bass drums and incredible dead on vocals. Velvet Revolver was great at the Riviera last time, great at the Allstate this time and there's no doubt in my mind that they'll be great somewhere in Chicago next time.

Thanks to Sarah: Okay, for a girl who has been in love with Guns N' Roses since she was in fifth grade, just seeing Slash, Duff, and Matt for the first time was unbelievable. Definitely a "change your panties" moment. But who knew Scott Weiland was so awesome, too?!? This guy is just incredible!! I love the megaphone! Velvet Revolver, you guys are amazing. Come back to Chicago soon!!!

Thanks to Mark and Kim: The show was great. How can you not love a skinny gangly rock singer flopping around the stage while a soon to be guitar God makes his guitar scream like a beast. Also great performances by Duff and Matt. Crowd seemed a little confused at the end of the regular set--it only lasted an hour. But they were ready to go for the encore. Did we really need to wait an hour between the opening band and the main event? And it could have been louder...my ears don't even hurt.