Longer than that since they headlined their own show.
But when the lights went and the sound system played Prince's "Let's Go Crazy" as a prelude to the Chicks taking the stage,
anticipation built.
They opened with "The Long Way Around," "Lubbock or Leave It" and "Truth No. 2" — including a typically stirring
Maguire fiddle solo — before taking a break to talk to the crowd.
Maines' first question? "Are there kids out there? Because I've never wanted to cuss so much in my life," she said, wiping
away perspiration and adding that she hadn't been sweating during the sound check.
So maybe the Chicks were sweaty on a sultry August night, but it translated only to swagger as they played and sang a 22-song
set.
When they did "Long Time Gone," there seemed to be double meaning in the song. From there they moved to a fierce tribute
to Prince with "Nothing Compares 2 U" as Maines belted it all the way up from the soles of her little black boots.
The first big singalong of the night was to "Goodbye Earl," which when released in 1999 was controversial for its story
of two friends plotting to kill an abusive husband. Never mind that it paved the way for songs like "Gunpowder and Lead" by
Miranda Lambert or "Two Black Cadillacs" by Carrie Underwood — back in the day, there was much wringing of hands over
its message.
After "Earl," the Chicks vanished from the stage for a few minutes for a wardrobe change. Maines cracked that it's the
first tour where they've done that, and they went from wearing "black and white, now we're in white and black."
They joined their five-piece band, sitting at the front of the stage for "Travelin' Soldier," "Don't Let Me Die in Florida"
and Beyoncé's "Daddy Lessons" in a nice interlude.
They reprised their cover of Stevie Nicks' classic "Landslide" and their own monster hits in "Wide Open Spaces" and "Cowboy
Take Me Away."
Maines possesses a powerhouse voice, and the harmonies of sisters Strayer and Maguire make it even better. But add in Strayer's
brilliant banjo and steel and Maguire's fiddle, and you'll remember why they burst so brightly onto the scene in the first
place.
After nearly two hours and 20 songs, the main set wrapped before they came back with a two-song encore of "Better Way"
and (of course) "Not Ready To Be Nice."
The Chicks got excellent, if unexpected for most fans, support from the Los Angeles-based band Vintage Trouble, whose lead
singer Ty Taylor gives off a serious James Brown vibe. They were rock 'n' roll from head to toe and played for 40 dazzling
minutes.
Out first was Smooth Hound Smith, a hard-to-describe roots duo of Zach Smith and Caitlin Doyle. She's the vocalist, he's
the one-man band, and they make some very good music. His harmonica solos alone are worth a listen.
Notably absent from Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre were the local country radio stations, which typically have promotional
vehicles out front and on-air personalities all over.
But remember, country radio shunned the Chicks back in 2003 over Maines' comments about George Bush. The trio was practically
banished from the airwaves for years.
Return to Tour Dates/Reviews page
