Lily Allen @ The Metro(Chicago 2/8/2007)

(photo courtesy Lily Allen's Myspace Page)

(Photo courtesy of Kelly Duoos, live from the Metro in Chicago 2/8/07)

(photo courtesy Lily Allen's Myspace Page)

On a seven-city tour of the US, Lily Allen graced the Chicago's beloved
Metro with her presence on Thursday night (March 8, 2007). Ms. Allen
was in fine form as usual wearing a navy blue dress and white trainers,
her hair in a messy up-do, and the whole look accessorized perfectly
with over sized sparkley earrings and a giant gold necklace shaped like
a machine gun. As Lily has begun to appear everywhere (SNL, MTV,
various music rags...), it's no surprise that the much-anticipated show
sold out in advance, especially being the only stop between coasts.
Lily Allen turned up to start the show on time, complete with a
backing-band entourage. Comprised of seven studly pieces of British
man-musicians, the band included a bassist, guitarist, drummer,
keyboardist, and a horn section (!!!) which included the trumpet,
trombone, and sax players. Outfitted in (how cute) matching Lacoste
uniforms, the boys provided a well proper sound to support Ms. Allen's
beautiful vocal stylings. Prim and proper as can be, her voice exudes
"star singing-lesson pupil" vibes whilst her tell it exactly like it is
(" A fella looking dapper, but he's sitting with a slapper / Then I see
it's a pimp and his crack whore"). Lily has mastered that naughty,
you'd-better-watch-yourself-around -me-but-I'm- still-a-lady charm.
Self-described as "Pop / Hyphy / Ska," this gal's sparky sound has got
audiences of all kinds hooked. (Especially funny when you see a
30-something fervently singing along with lyrics like "I wanna get a
flat I know I can't afford it / It's just the bureaucrats who won't
give me a mortgage / Well it's very funny cos I got your f***in money /
And I'm never gonna get it just because of my bad credit!")
-Kelly Duoos(editor for Mindset Music, and Mindset Music Blog)

Lily's Setlist:

• LDN
• Nan, You're a Window Shopper
• Knock 'Em Out
• Shame for You
• Littlest Things
• Take What You Take (i think?)
• Everybody's Changing (Keane)
• Naive (Kooks)
• Not Big
• Absolutely Nothing
• Every thing's Just Wonderful
• Friend of Mine
• Friday Night
• Smile

Encore:
Blank Expression
Alfie

Thank you Kelly for the perfect review for the #1 female artist in the
U.K. at the moment. I think this review needed to come from a female
perspective, and it was clear when you used the word studly. Kelly
will be covering Ben Kweller's performance at the Notre Dame campus
tonight. She is a online radio DJ, editor, and musician. She has
interned for first avenue, currently attends Notre Dame, and recently
went to Europe for 3 months. In that trip, she saw a ton of great
shows, talked to quite a few bands, and traveled all around the streets
of London. I look forward to many more reviews from Kelly, as she is
also part of the team.