Wednesday night in Chicago was all about Iggy Pop and his Post Pop Depression Tour, which was hitting the iconic Chicago Theatre.
It’s not often I get to go to shows just for the sake of enjoying the experience but I was lucky enough that this was one of them. The setting couldn’t have been better; you’d be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful venue than the Chicago Theatre, residing at the heart of the city, that can also be worthy of hosting a truly legendary music figure like Iggy Pop.
Pop’s set hit the ground running with a performance of one of his signature tracks, “Lust For Life,” the perfect appetizer of the dopeness that was still to come. Iggy may not be as energetic or as prolific with his stage antics anymore as he once was, but if there’s one thing I can assure to you is that throughout the night he looked like a man on a mission to prove that he’s someone that just won’t quit. Iggy Pop was relentless as frolicked around the stage hopping, and dancing, and gyrating. Pop was set to give us a clear sign that he is willing to continue to give it his all for as long as his body allows him. His heart desires Rock & Roll and the only way to satisfy that craving is by feeding him some time on a stage and under a spotlight.
The setlist was very heavy on the new album Post Pop Depression with several of our favorites making the cut, including the likes of “American Valhalla,” “Sunday” and “Gardenia.” Pop also drew from the solo work he released over the last 4 decades, bringing forth fan-favorites from all eras. There were many highlights that it would almost be unfair to only speak of a handful. “Gardenia,” “The Passenger,” and “China Girl” were played in succession, a trifecta of the best that Pop has to offer that spans several decades. The last of three was clearly one of the greatest moments on the Josh Homme front, who delivered a mighty guitar solo that would make you think you were actually witnessing a classic rock show. There was a moment during “China Girl” during which Iggy willingly gives up the spotlight to his partner Homme; at one point the pair share a glance as if Homme was asking Pop if he could shred harder and Pop very happily granting him that permission.
Find some fan footage from around the net below.
Capping things off with “Success” couldn’t be a more perfect selection. The upbeat nature of the song turned the classical venue into a real riot house and we were all just there to party! Iggy Pop is still with us and he’s a Punk rock treasure, but last Wednesday he proved that he’s not done yet and that he doesn’t need to be put away to be admired later yet.
