Queensryche and Don Dokken Review

Hello everyone! We’re back from Chicago and want to share our Queensryche experience with you. Yesterday on February 2, 2008, Britne and I went to The House of Blues to see Queensryche with Don Dokken as the opening act. I am very sorry to say I am extremely disappointed. Let’s start with Dokken, being a huge 80’s rock fan, I loved Dokken and remember rocking out to them in my car as a teenager. Little did we know the show was going to be acoustic……YUCK ! It was just Don Dokken, no band. I did find myself singing along with favorites like Just Got Lucky, Alone Again, Breaking the Chains, etc. The set was okay but it was hard to get close to the stage so it didn’t feel very personal and I feel acoustical shows should feel personal.

Now for Queensryche, those of you who read what I posted previously about them playing Operation Mind Crime I and II, scratch that ! This concert started out with a couple of tunes I don’t even remember from the early albums. Next they played Eyes of a Stranger, I am American and Hostage from Mindcrimes I and II. Empire was next and a cover rendition of Neon Knights by Black Sabbath. Throw in a couple of songs that I forgot because I’m getting older and that was it ! Yes they only played for about an hour. Did I mention that they failed to play probably their two most popular songs ever, Silent Lucidity and Jet City Woman.

Queensryche also played the House of Blues the night before. Maybe this is why Geoff Tate the lead singer had no vocals. This could be why the concert was so short. I know there were plenty of people around us after the show that were very disappointed also. If it wasn’t for the fact that Britne and I were able to get away (without kids) for the weekend and my college buddy Dave met us at the show, it would have been a wasted trip. I’m not sure we’ll go see them again if they come around.

We couldn’t eat at the House of Blues because we waited too long to make our reservation and they were completely booked. The House of Blues does give you VIP access to the head of the line for the concerts if you eat dinner there. Next time we will book our reservation early so we can get a spot closer to the stage. We did have an awesome dinner though. There is a restaurant right next to the House of Blues called Smith & Wollensky. We ended up there because it was so close. The food was delicious but very pricey. If you’re looking for a cheap dinner, don’t go there. If you’re looking for a dining experience, it could be the place.

We stayed at the Sheraton on E. North Main. It was within walking distance to the show and we were able to get a room on Priceline for only $75, but they charged us $42 for parking. The hotel was nice and I would stay there again because it was very centrally located and easy to find.

After the show, we went to a club called Howl at the Moon on West Hubbard. They have pianos, drums and guitars and they have people performing requests from the crowd. The music was good and the performers do a good job of getting the crowd involved. It was a fun place.

We had a good weekend, but the Queensryche show was disappointing.
W.A.S.P. in Mokena, Il is the next show we’re going to. We’ll be sure and let you know how that one goes.

[tags]Dokken, Queensryche[/tags]