VNV Nation Chicago ^_______^ Mike and I left around 11:00 a.m. on Friday morning and got to downtown Chicago around 5:30 (rush hour!). Fortunately, the directions we had were very straightforward and took us right to the venue. We were assuming we'd get lost somewhere in the city, but since this never happened, we had a couple hours to kill. There was an *awesome* bookstore and a pretty cool diner down the road, so we hung around, got some food, and bought a few books, as they weren't opening the doors until 8:00 p.m. Anyway, we eventually got in line for the concert. They split us into two lines - males and females - so they could search us without fear of sexual harassment charges. Right after entering the building, both Mike and I got in line for t-shirts (IT RAWKS! I'LL TAKE A PICTURE!). Around 9:00, Stromkern took the stage. To be honest, I don't remember much of their music, but I thought it was pretty good. Some number of songs later, Icon of Coil came on and played a little. They were pretty good too... Nothing compared to what I was about to experience, however... VNV Nation rocked. I can't even begin to describe it... Beautiful people, beautiful music, beautiful everything! Well, except for the ride home... We were both very tired from the long day and all of the dancing, and had six hours on a boring, empty, fog-covered road... I'm glad we're both still alive. :) Notify ground crews... ... STAND YOUR GROUND THIS IS WHAT WE ARE FIGHTING FOR FOR OUR SPIRIT AND LAWS AND WAYS CRY HAVOC AND LET SLIP THE DOGS OF WAR FOR HEAVEN OR HELL, WE SHALL NOT WAIT ... Shall I call on you to guide me well, to see our hopes and dreams fulfilled... On this day of our ascension... On this day, WE PRAISE THE FALLEN