THE GIG: Peter Gabriel at the United Center, Chicago USA, 30 September 2023

Let’s get this out of the way: I very nearly didn’t see this concert.

It’s not that I don’t like Peter Gabriel. In fact, I LOVE the guy! He’s one of my all-time favorites. But his I/O tour show — like all his others for the last couple of decades — was being staged in a hockey arena. And I DESPISE concerts in large venues, especially arenas and stadiums, and I refuse to pony up my money for them.*

But when it comes to Peter, I make an exception. My reasons are pretty straightforward: 1) Peter is one of three artists I’m willing to see in a large venue, since I’ll never see him in a small one (the other two being Radiohead and Tool, whom I’ve already seen); Peter releases new albums very infrequently, and he’s not getting any younger; and since he was coming to me, I didn’t need to tack on train, hotel, and food expenses to an already expensive ticket.^

So, it would seem now was as good a time as any.

I made my way to the show with mixed feelings. I was glad to finally have chance to see Peter in the flesh, but I knew my seat wasn’t in the ideal place. I guessed that my position (far over on stage right) would make it impossible for me to take in the video displays that would be behind the band as they performed. Video is a key element in the live PG experience, and I was going to have to make do without it. I made mental peace with that fact as I made my way to the venue. As best I could, anyway.

I hoped that blow might be softened a bit by being able to go backstage briefly to say hello to band bassist Tony Levin. A big thank you to my friend Tom Payne for making me his “plus one” for this little adventure. Once that was done, it was off to find my seat.+

Sure enough, my instincts were confirmed when I got to my seat. Not only could I not see the video screens, the drum riser was completely obstructed. On the plus side, I was at the very front of my section. All I had to do was look over or through the very clear plexiglass in front of me.

Since I knew it was coming, I got past it and accepted the fact that I would experience, for all intents and purposes, half of a Peter Gabriel concert. Oh, well. There’s bound to be a concert video from this tour. I’ll just have to combine my experience with being able to see the video at a later time.

Now that we’ve dwelled on that, let’s discuss why I was there, aka The Good Part.

As I said, Peter is on the road supporting his forthcoming album I/O. I, for one, like to be surprised by a concert’s setlist. Which is why I’m not gonna spoil it for anyone in this piece. If you’re just dying to know what was played, I’ll put a link to the setlist.fm link here. Suffice to say, Peter and the band dug into the new album as well as more than a few classic chestnuts.

The older material still sounded fresh because it needed to be re-arranged for a band that now contained horns and strings. It was a nice addition to band veterans Levin, David Rhodes (guitar), Richard Evans (guitar), and Manu Katché (drums). Things started intimately with Peter and Tony playing around a “campfire.”

Not long after, the rest of the band strolled out and took a seat for a bit.

Again, I couldn’t see the video screen, so I can tell you next to nothing about it, outside of Peter mentioned it occasionally featuring the art of some artists he admired. In fact, some of the stage effects came down to beautifully obscure my view. The lady sitting to my left called them “stage blockers.” As good a name as any.

Visibility aside, the band was air tight. They pulled off the new songs and the old ones with (apparent) ease. Peter went out of his way to give credit where it was due. I can’t do it because I don’t want to spoil the setlist. You’ll just have to take my word for it.

The performance was “an evening with,” so there was no opening act. And while I’m always interested in checking out what a young new band has to offer, I was glad to get a full evening of whom I came to see. For that kind of money, I want more Peter Gabriel!

All in all, Peter and company checked all the boxes to make the show a positive experience. Half of something is better than all of nothing, so I’ll gratefully take what I got and check Peter off my live experience bucket list. I can also officially retire from hockey arena concerts with no regrets. If I wind up at a place like this again, I’ll be getting paid to be there.

If venue size isn’t an issue for you and the ticket avails itself, go see this show. And may your seating luck be better than mine.

* I’ve managed to avoid large venues since 2007. I’ve been to three amphitheater shows since last year, but I didn’t spend dime one on any of them. I was gifted tickets for two shows (with great seats) and the third was an assignment for Prog magazine.

^ I spent $150 (after fees) for my seat. It was all my budget would allow me. It would’ve been around twice as much for a seat on the floor. That just wasn’t happening. I love Peter Gabriel, but a pension check only goes so far.

+ There was no time or space for photos of the meeting. Since most of the people backstage already knew Tony from the annual Three of a Perfect Pair camp (which I have yet to attend), a photo probably seemed redundant. As for me, I’ve had a couple of opportunities to chat with Tony on other Chicago visits with Stick Men and The Levin Brothers. There’s a photo of us already. So, no need to make a fuss.

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