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Due to some remarkable foresight on the part of my good lady we sold our lawn seats and got 2 seats in 207...
This was without a doubt my favorite Jimmy show..the actual venue was awesome, Mishka was great, the whole day was just a treat. I know some people seem to have had a less than great experience, but I think a lot of people had a great time.
Our day started around 10am when we left the burbs. We were planning on going to RJ Grunts for an early lunch but we drove along LSD first to see how the Pier was looking. The Pier looked like it was starting to get busy so we scrapped the idea of going to Grunts and decided to get parked on the Pier.
Had a brief discussion about where to eat lunch (by now it was around 11am)...it was down to Margaritaville or Bubba Gump. As we passed Margaritaville we saw some parrotheads already getting in the spirit and some were wearing foam Fin hats. My wife HAD to have one so that decided our lunch spot.

Buffett concert Chicago 2013 by spark26981
Our server, Justin, was probably the best we have ever had at a mainland Margaritaville. He said that all the hats were gone but he would look around and see if he could find one...we ordered some apps and some drinks (yes, it was 11am...but its Buffett Day!!). Justin brought the first round, then came back with a hat

Buffett concert Chicago 2013 by spark26981

Buffett concert Chicago 2013 by spark26981
We had a few more drinks, ordered some more food and chatted with a nice couple behind us. They were from Wisconsin and the guy had just surprised his wife by telling her they were actually going to be attending their first Buffett show! We eventually left there around 1:30.

Next we walked along the pier and headed over to the lawn party...the day was kind of overcast which I think kept a lot of people from showing up...it was admittedly a little lame. Tommy Rocker was trying his best but the crowd just wasn't there. We bumped into our new friends again and spent some more time chit chatting with them.

Buffett concert Chicago 2013 by spark26981

After that we wandered the pier...met some more parrotheads and walked back towards the front talking with them. (He agreed that there are some members across the way that are douches...) Unfortunately our phones were getting low on charge so we had to part company so that we could go recharge them in the car. Although we didnt notice until the next day...the guy actually was in one of the pics we took later that day at the concert.

We wandered back over to the Lawn Party...crowd had picked up a bit...but still kinda lame. Got a beer and we went over and sat by the lake and watched the boats for a bit.

Buffett concert Chicago 2013 by spark26981
About 4-4:30 we decided it was time to head over to the venue. Forgot to mention how friendly the Chicago PD was...

We had pre-booked the water taxi from the Pier to the Shedd. I was excited as this would be my first time actually on the Lake. The taxi ride took about 15-20 minutes...the clouds had started to break and Chicago looked beautiful.

1001353_10201275882529433_990408041_n by spark26981

We strolled over to Burnham harbor, Carrie wanted to show me where she had hung out a lot when she was a kid. I guess Burnham used to have star docks, but now they were all berths. We wandered along...gazing enviously at the boats (someday...) and then headed over to the beach.

We got some food from the little cafe at the beach and just hung out watching the boats go back and forth until the gates opened.

Buffett concert Chicago 2013 by spark26981

As we were walking across the pavillion to our seats, someone walked out on stage. I thought it was just someone setting up mics or what have you, then he said "hey everyone"...it was Jimmy! He came out to introduce Mishka...said he would be back later and left.

Mishka was great...until now I had only heard "Ocean is my Potion", but now I think I will be downloading his full album. After Mishka finished there was a bit of a lag before the music started again...and then the confetti cannons scared the hell out of me...but it was great start to the show. And oh yeah...the Stanley Cup made an appearance.

Buffett concert Chicago 2013 by spark26981

Buffett concert Chicago 2013 by spark26981

Buffett concert Chicago 2013 by spark26981

Buffett concert Chicago 2013 by spark26981

Buffett concert Chicago 2013 by spark26981

Buffett concert Chicago 2013 by spark26981

Buffett concert Chicago 2013 by spark26981

Buffett concert Chicago 2013 by spark26981

The concert itself was great...the sound where we were was perfect and Jimmy seemed to be having a ball on stage. Laughing and joking with Utley. Acoustic set was amazing. The only damper on the evening was the rain that started as we left the venue to take the water taxi home. On the walk we saw a lot of people with muddy feet and legs and we chatted with some people on the boat back to the Pier that had been in the lawn. They said they had stuck to the main areas of the lawn and hadn't got muddy at all.

So all in all it might not have been the typical tailgate and concert experience, but I loved it. We had Navy Pier, boats, beaches and Buffett. It was something different and sometimes different is good, for us at least this was.

1000753_10201276730750638_1171084614_n by spark26981

Buffett concert Chicago 2013 by spark26981

Buffett concert Chicago 2013 by spark26981

I am totally on board with you. We had a very positive weekend in Chicago as well. If it was my home turf concert and I had to deal with the troubles they had in the lot, I might say different. As a "tourist" and my second time coming to Chicago I enjoyed the concert and the entire weekend.

We started out getting stuck in parade traffic on friday (bitter Bruins fan here). But without fail I had no problems with the city that day and the extra 2 million blackhawks fan's I encountered.
I was lucky enough to have breakfast with Doyle Gresham (what a nice down to earth man). Then walked the city for the rest of the day. Hit the Navy pier Friday night for some drinks with friends at Margaritaville and Mishka then off to the boat drunks.

Saturday was more of the same. Spent the day at the Navy pier - Lawn Party - Margaritaville and had a great time with other parrotheads I hadn't seen in some time.

Concert and venue where good. I was aslo in sec 204. I liked the confetti!!
Good day with great people! - Thank you Chicago
-Kate

irshfiregrl wrote:I am totally on board with you. We had a very positive weekend in Chicago as well. If it was my home turf concert and I had to deal with the troubles they had in the lot, I might say different. As a "tourist" and my second time coming to Chicago I enjoyed the concert and the entire weekend.

We started out getting stuck in parade traffic on friday (bitter Bruins fan here). But without fail I had no problems with the city that day and the extra 2 million blackhawks fan's I encountered.
I was lucky enough to have breakfast with Doyle Gresham (what a nice down to earth man). Then walked the city for the rest of the day. Hit the Navy pier Friday night for some drinks with friends at Margaritaville and Mishka then off to the boat drunks.

Saturday was more of the same. Spent the day at the Navy pier - Lawn Party - Margaritaville and had a great time with other parrotheads I hadn't seen in some time.

Concert and venue where good. I was aslo in sec 204. I liked the confetti!!
Good day with great people! - Thank you Chicago
-Kate

It seems the experience was good or better if you had seats for this show, however the same cannot be said for those one the lawn who were also paying customers

I'm not trying to take away anything from the people who had a shitty day on the lawn.. Hell I've been in mud at Great Woods on the lawn before in a hurricane I get it. Just wanted to add a little happiness to the weekend.

That was the point of my post...to provide a little balance and show that although the day turned to crap from some, for a lot of people the day was a great day.

I'm glad you had a positive experience in Chicago, pretty cool that you got to eat with Doyle!

Breakfast with DOYLE?
THAT must've been nice.

very cool, thanks for sharing.

irshfiregrl wrote:I am totally on board with you. We had a very positive weekend in Chicago as well. If it was my home turf concert and I had to deal with the troubles they had in the lot, I might say different. As a "tourist" and my second time coming to Chicago I enjoyed the concert and the entire weekend.

We started out getting stuck in parade traffic on friday (bitter Bruins fan here). But without fail I had no problems with the city that day and the extra 2 million blackhawks fan's I encountered.
I was lucky enough to have breakfast with Doyle Gresham (what a nice down to earth man). Then walked the city for the rest of the day. Hit the Navy pier Friday night for some drinks with friends at Margaritaville and Mishka then off to the boat drunks.

Saturday was more of the same. Spent the day at the Navy pier - Lawn Party - Margaritaville and had a great time with other parrotheads I hadn't seen in some time.

Concert and venue where good. I was aslo in sec 204. I liked the confetti!!
Good day with great people! - Thank you Chicago
-Kate

Sounds like a great time Kate!!

spark26981 wrote:]

Great recap and pictures... especially the one above! Wow!

Happy to hear that the show wasn't a complete bust for all involved.

I, too, am glad that both of you had a great time. That is what the Buffett experience is all about. Anticipation of an event sometimes approaches the actual enjoyment of the same event. I was going to opt-out when the venue was announced but relented and went anyway. That was my own fault.

My wife and I had reserved seats also and thought that Jimmy's show was very good but I was surprised that the set only included 24 songs including just one encore. Check the set lists from the previous shows on this tour. The first two nights, Jimmy played 28 songs. Twenty-four is the least amount done so far on this tour. I was very surprised that it ended with Margaritaville as apparently were many others. The crowd sort of stood around waiting for him to return for a second and final encore as is usually the program and then the lights came up. That was anticlimactic.

I learned long ago to avoid ANY lawn seating at ANY venue. I do feel sorry for those who could not get or could not afford reserved seating. Lessons learned.

I hope we are all able to continue to enjoy Jimmy's music and the great friends and friendships we have developed over the years thanks to this "One Particular Entertainer".

parrothappy wrote:I, too, am glad that both of you had a great time. That is what the Buffett experience is all about. Anticipation of an event sometimes approaches the actual enjoyment of the same event. I was going to opt-out when the venue was announced but relented and went anyway. That was my own fault.

My wife and I had reserved seats also and thought that Jimmy's show was very good but I was surprised that the set only included 24 songs including just one encore. Check the set lists from the previous shows on this tour. The first two nights, Jimmy played 28 songs. Twenty-four is the least amount done so far on this tour. I was very surprised that it ended with Margaritaville as apparently were many others. The crowd sort of stood around waiting for him to return for a second and final encore as is usually the program and then the lights came up. That was anticlimactic.

I learned long ago to avoid ANY lawn seating at ANY venue. I do feel sorry for those who could not get or could not afford reserved seating. Lessons learned.

I hope we are all able to continue to enjoy Jimmy's music and the great friends and friendships we have developed over the years thanks to this "One Particular Entertainer".

AMEN!

parrothappy wrote:... My wife and I had reserved seats also and thought that Jimmy's show was very good but I was surprised that the set only included 24 songs including just one encore. Check the set lists from the previous shows on this tour. The first two nights, Jimmy played 28 songs. Twenty-four is the least amount done so far on this tour. I was very surprised that it ended with Margaritaville as apparently were many others. The crowd sort of stood around waiting for him to return for a second and final encore as is usually the program and then the lights came up. That was anticlimactic...

I was surprised as well. When we were setlisting the show and heard Margaritaville, we were also expecting him to do another encore song. At first, we thought RM cut the feed at that time. I texted a couple people at the show and they both said Marg was the last song.

SunLover wrote:

parrothappy wrote:... My wife and I had reserved seats also and thought that Jimmy's show was very good but I was surprised that the set only included 24 songs including just one encore. Check the set lists from the previous shows on this tour. The first two nights, Jimmy played 28 songs. Twenty-four is the least amount done so far on this tour. I was very surprised that it ended with Margaritaville as apparently were many others. The crowd sort of stood around waiting for him to return for a second and final encore as is usually the program and then the lights came up. That was anticlimactic...

I was surprised as well. When we were setlisting the show and heard Margaritaville, we were also expecting him to do another encore song. At first, we thought RM cut the feed at that time. I texted a couple people at the show and they both said Marg was the last song.

Jimmy must of had lawn tickets too and was p***.

I honestly think he ended the show when he did because of the two fireworks displays set off on each side of Northerly Island just after Margaritaville.. I bet the city had something to do with his ending time.

-I love me a fireworks display, so even though it was raining and Margaritaville was the last song i heard, still a win in my book. I've seen worse JB shows.

We had a great time. I wish the venue had been finished and everyone could have had the same great time we had. We spoke to one couple in the lot who complained it was the worst concert they had seen in 45 shows. After seeing the lawn pictures I now understand.

Did anyone from here get a set list or see one. I'm sure we had more songs coming. I watched Jimmy walk off the stage and you could tell by the body langue he was not happy with how the concert ended. The fireworks turned the crowd around 180 degrees. Lots of people started leaving immediately. I’m sure that’s not how he intended the show to end. Anyway I have some pictures to add from a different point of view.

In 17 seconds the Stanley Cup will magically appear!

I guess it would help if I posted a picture you could actually see the Cup.

Candyman wrote:I guess it would help if I posted a picture you could actually see the Cup.

Not really!! Signed Red Wing Fan!