Fiona Apple
This page is dedicated to my favorite artist Ms Apple. She has released two albums, Tidal and When the Pawn... She is brilliant and talented. Her albums are awesome but you've never experienced The Apple if you've never seen her live.
I've seen Ms Apple twice in concert now. Once at Lilith Fair, Maryland Heights MO, Riverport Ampetheater on July 15, 1997. She performed lovely renditions of The Child is Gone, Sleep to Dream, The First Taste,Criminal, Pale September, Never Is a Promise and a cover of Jimi Hendrix's Angel.
The second time was in Chicago, IL, Riviera Theater on March 11, 2000. Ms Apple performed all the hits from When the Pawn.. plus Criminal, Sleep To Dream, Sullen Girl, and Carrion.
The Sweetest Apple Pie
Fiona Apple
March 11, 2000
Riviera Theater
Chicago, IL
"Oh My God" is the phrase I must have said a gazillion times before, during and especially after the show. I've never had sex nor done drugs, but this is the closest feeling of euphoria and general "highness" I've ever had!
My best friend Saunders and I arrived approximately 4:30 pm at the Riviera Theater after 2 hours of being lost in downtown Chicago (Damn Yahoo!). Waiting in 30+ degree windy weather, we were freezing our butts off next to the African Restaurant. And finally, the moment arrived. The line started moving at 6:30, and before we knew it, we were inside.
I could tell the Riviera is a very old theater, the lobby and areas surrounding the actual theater wern't in the best of conditions. The staff was pating people down and searching purses, so I went in with my purse open. Miraculously they didn't check my pockets, otherwise they would have found my camera and mini-tape recorder. We rushed to the bathroom downstairs, where we were suprised with gum and candy near the sink area. I didn't check my coat, as I was still cold, later I wished I had.
We went back upstairs into the theater. There was a very large bar in the back of the main floor. Saunders and I and found places near stage left (our right), and met Patrick (applecake) from Fiona's Sony BBS, who was totally cool. Sorry I didn't get to meet Orkid or Redflare, or Fuzzy. We arrived a little too late. Anywho, I digress. We were about 3-4 people back from the stage. I felt so close. Saunders has trouble in crowds, so she left for the seats in the balcony (she says she saw everything perfectly).
We waited 'till 7:30 and Jurassic 5 came out. They were very excited to be there, and they gave a really entertaining performance. People in front of me were dancing, and I couldn't help but bounce up and down. J5 commented about how much Fiona likes Hip-hop, and everyone screamed. J5 thanked Fi for having them along. These two J5 superfans pushed their way up in front of Patrick and I, and caused the already tight packed group to lurch back and forth. They left soon after J5 finished, which caused the people in the back to move in even tighter. I had bodies squeezed up against me, the only word I could think of was "sardinal". J5 finished and we patiently waited for Fiona.
Fiona ran out onto the stage with a stuffed red fox. It was cute--she was cute. She seemed really excited. She wore a lavender tank top and a long black skirt (from what I could tell) . I couldn't see extremly well at first because I had these two amazon women in front of little old me, but later the crowd shifted and I had a great view of her face at the piano. Patrick offered to take pictures for me, he's so cool (and very tall I might add). I whipped out my mini tape recorder and began recording when she started "On the Bound". I know for sure I got the first 2 songs in entirety (my batteries didn't last as long as my legs did) :-(.
Fiona performed one of the best shows I've ever seen. She seemed very hyper, which I can only guess was a result of nervousness, but she was happy in it! She nailed "On the Bound", and then went into "To Your Love". She sang with so much passion. After "To Your Love" she went up to the front microphone, she thanked Patty for the fox and Annie for the bracelet. That began a barrage of bracelets up on the stage. She later joked about it with the audience. I had a little stuffed lamb with a heart for her, and I asked Patrick to throw it to her. Fiona picked it up, read the tag and put it on her piano, it sat on the end the entire show. Fiona must have said "thank you" to the crowd about 30 times.
Fiona started up the well-known "Criminal", nearly everyone in the theater was singing along to this one. My favorite part of the performance of this song was the instrumental pause right in the middle of the word "heaven" from "heaven help me for the way that I am". It was perfect. She was pointing at her earpiece, and I was praying that things would be ok. She adjusted it slightly and the little pack on her waistband, and everything went great after that.
I wish I had bought new batteries for the show, because then I could remember exactly how the show went. I'll do my best for the rest of the show.
Everyone cheered like mad women and mad men when she began "Limp" next. She didn't do "the dance" so much for this one. But she did enjoy her time away from the piano (I had a great view of this.. maybe 12 feet between me and Fiona). Then she launched into "Sullen Girl", which sadly I must say, people were screaming duing it. I know previous reviewers mentioned the screaming constantly during "Sullen Girl". Still, Fiona performed beautifully, and passionately. She had such raw energy behind her voice! I don't know at what point she sat again at the piano, but I'm certain she did again. I hadn't seen her in concert since the first Lillith Fair tour, I'd almost forgotten how awesome she is live.
Next she performed "Paper Bag", Saunders personal favorite. Almost everyone sang along. I was lipsynching to all the songs. Fiona performed "Get Gone", which is one of my favorite songs of the new album. And the only time I acutally had to sing the words was during the "flip your shit past another lass's humble dwelling" and the "Fucking Go!" part.
She went on to "Love Ridden" then "Sleep To Dream". Fiona did an electrifying performance of "Sleep to Dream". She even GROWLED like a Tigress during the song. I just had to scream then. After "Sleep to Dream" she performed "Carrion" then "The Way Things Are". She sat the piano for "I Know", which was done beautifully. The crowd really quieted down for this one. I was swaying back and forth as much as I could. One of the amazon women in front of me passed out during the song, I think Fiona looked over. A gaurd came over and carried her off. Somehow I got even closer to the stage, must have been back to 3 from the front, where I started out, but closer to Fiona.
Then she performed "A Mistake", smiling and having a good time. She introduced the band, I screamed for all of them. And then she danced like crazy for "Fast As You Can". All songs were performed flawlessly. I would like to say more about each song but I'm afraid everythings a jumble in my head right now.
Wonderful Fiona left us after an extremly energetic performance of "Fast as you Can". She took my lamb backstage with her! The lights went out completely. Everyone began the catcalls and whoops and applause, knowing that she'd come back. They always do! True to rock shows everywhere, Fiona came back for an encore.
She was alone on stage and started dancing slowly as the music of Cole Porter's "Just One of Those Things" began. It sounded so much better than any mp3 or bootleg you'd ever hear. This song had many instrumental portions, and Fiona danced with the microphone.
The band members ran back onstage and began an explosive performance of Bill Withers' "Kissing My Love". Fiona was all over the stage. And the bassist and lead guitar had this sort of battle of speed (who could pluck/strum faster), and they were smiling like crazy at the end. Everyone on stage (and in the audience) were smiling like crazy. Fiona thanked us again, took her roses and other things left on the stage, and retreated. A recording of "What a Wonderful World" came on as the crowd started moving towards the exits.
I met up with Saunders again, she was pretty quick getting back to the floor. She, Patrick and I headed for the exit. I purchased the long sleeved shirt. Saunders and I had to part with Patrick. As soon as I get the pics developed I'll send you copies applecake! I was totally freaking out the whole trip back to our hotel in Glen Ellyn, IL . And I was amazed I ever got to sleep.
This was by far my greatest concert experience, and I will never forget it. I want to thank applecake and Saunders for their help and friendship of course! :-)
Jessica
"bubblebobblegirl"
Fiona and Keith
Fiona with her Fox (hey Patty!)
Fiona at the Mic
Fiona thanks Patty and Annie for their wonderful gifts!
Fiona's "feeling like a Criminal"
Fiona belly-dances to "Limp"
Fiona Dances with my Little Lamb perched behind her on the piano
Fiona really belts it out
Fiona laughs and smiles as Keith hands her yet another bracelet.. that makes 7?
Fiona examines her collection. She plans to have a garage sale in the parking lot...
Fiona demonstrates her unique dancing moves
Would you like to learn more about Fiona Apple?
Please go visit Never is a Promise and Fiona has Wings. I guarantee you won't find any Fiona sites better than these two. They offer up to the minute tour reports and Fiona news. I wouldn't have even known about Fiona's concert if it weren't for these two sites. You may also find some good information on Fiona's official website.
Created March 16, 2000
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