Below Empty - Stone Temple Pilots

March 27, 2010 - Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre

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General Information

Artist: Stone Temple Pilots
Date: March 27, 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
Venue: Riviera Theatre
Address: 4746 North Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640, U.S.A. [ Venue website ]
Box Office Number: (773) 275-6800

Set List

Vasoline
Crackerman
Wicked Garden
Hollywood Bitch
Between the Lines
Hickory Dichotomy
Big Empty
Sour Girl
Creep
Plush
Interstate Love Song
Bagman
Huckleberry Crumble
Sex Type Thing
Dead and Bloated
Lounge Fly
Piece of Pie
Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart

Picture Link: Check out photos from this show in the Picture Archive.

Reviews (13) [ send in your own review/pictures of the Chicago show ]

Thanks to bigbluedank: My first time seeing these guys and I thought they were fuggin rocked! Mr. Weiland creeped around the stage like a human spider and looked pretty nimble while the Deleos did their thing. Mr. Kretz was a rhythmic guardian in the back like always. The crowd was pleasing as well; a relief with the absence of moshers. I had no idea they were filming the show so it was overjoying to hear these tunes again on the CD and find myself cheering in the crowd shot at the beginning! I will never forget it!

Happy they played Crackerman and Sour Girl but would enjoy some subtler tunes from No.4 or Tiny Music (or how about talk show?)

STP in the mother state? Thank you.

I'm totally biased but these guys rocked out again! The only thing I would say is that it reminded me of the first show I saw of their's so there weren't any major surprises, but great all the same ('Heaven and HotRods' was sweet!). I would probably give the best show of the night to Weezer, but STP was still solid. Great show boys!

Whoops! No surprises? I forgot about the David Bowie cover (sorry!) That was a hot little present for everybody, and they nailed it! Scott and his hat!

Thanks to Rod: STP came out last night at the Riviera Theater in Chicago on a mission of sorts. They played a blistering set of classic STP tunes and skillfully mixed in four of the new tracks. The new tracks, including "Between the Lines" and "Huckleberry Crumble" went over well with the fans in attendance. However, upon speaking to some of the hardcore fans of STP after the show, we are eagerly awaiting a time when going to an STP show means we get to hear many of the B-sides and perhaps an acoustic set where the many talents of the band can be showcased throughout the night. We know how intricate and elaborate the writing process can be for these guys; we would love to be witness to a tour where they play songs that they truly have a passion for playing, not just the "radio hits" that the casual fan appreciates.
Don't misunderstand, last nights' show was solid. The boys came out on time and kept up the energy throughout the show. I just wish we could leave the mainstream hits in the past. I have a feeling the band wishes the same thing. Its got to be tough to get up on stage every night and put the same energy into songs that you have played literally hundreds of times. The entire catalog is legendary. Unleash it live!

Thanks to P2E: Saw STP last night from halfway up the balcony on Robert's side. Great view of the show and the sound up there was really, relly good. I heard everything clearly and Dean had GREAT sound from his gear.
Scott was pretty much ON for most of the night and did a nice recovery when he ran his left thigh into the top corner of the drum riser and fell over. I guess if he broke, or more like hurt his heel a couple of days before the show in Chicago, he might have had some real standing and moving around type of problems and was probably on some pain meds and probably a beverage or two to wash it down with, made it a bit tough to navigate the stage at the Riv. It's not like some huge arena stage anyways.
Scott did seem a bit pissed right after falling and that did throw off his performance a bit and he did sing some vocal parts with a bit of a pissed off angry tone to them and that was the only bad moment of the show. He did get his attitude back to a good level. I think he might have been just pissed at himself a bit.
I've seen STP three times now and all three shows were fantastic. These guys absolutly ROCK and I was mighty glad to have been there. Great show here in Chicago.
8 out of 10 for me.

Thanks to Auger: Show was amazing. I missed hearing down in the setlist. Scott sounded and acted drunk with his banter in between songs. His singing was great nontheless. There were signs on the doors saying that they were filming the show. I saw a huge professional camera and several smaller handheld video cameras. Maybe they will release this show on dvd. Well until then I have an audio recording of the show.

Thanks to Phil: That first review is way off...I don't even know if that person was at the show and it's "Big Empty" not "The Big Empty"...that's music journalists for you. Anyways...The concert was great and sounded good. Someone else hit it right on the head by saying how old the band is. This isn't the 90's so don't expect that. That said, what more could you ask for..Scott sang his ass off and the band rocked! I was definately disappointed in the energy of the crowd down infront of the stage though. No one was really moving and just standing around, dressed like a clown! lol Also, no one seemed to know the new stuff...does anyone follow these guys or what? They've been playing for a week now. Fantastic show, poor effort on the crowd's part!

Thanks to Phil: Consequence of Sound...This is why writers bother me...You guys don't even know what you're talking about! They didn't even play Lady Picture Show. I swear I don't think you were even at the concert.

Thanks to Consequence Of Sound: Drawing on 18 years of experience, Stone Temple Pilots remain the riotous grunge bad boys and continue to deliver on the promise of a Grammy award winning act. That much seemed obvious last night, when the L.A. quartet rocked a sold out crowd at Chicago's Riviera Theater. The venue sweltered with excitement... and rightfully so. Only days prior to the concert, the band kick started its dusty hype machine, dropping its first single in nearly a decade, which finds itself on the group's forthcoming sixth studio album, due out next month. Don't let the years dissuade you. They may be fresh off a nine year hiatus (give or take a year of recent touring), but the band proved this is less a reunion and moreover the next chapter in STP's history. Get ready for quite a page turner, folks. Frontman Scott Weiland, bassist Robert DeLeo, guitarist and brother Dean DeLeo, and drummer Eric Kretz not only look healthy and at their prime, but sound it, too.

Chicago had little trouble believing in the rock show. Despite his age (believe it or not, it hasn't been the '90s in quite some time), Weiland proved he could still win over an audience and personified the image of a modern rock star, complete with sunglasses, while strutting and slinking across the edge of the stage. He's quite athletic, too. At times, he bounded atop the speakers and enticed the crowd to sing along, announcing that it was great to be in a "beautiful city with a beautiful crowd." Prospective concertgoers shouldn't worry about his vocal range, either. Weiland came off both vibrant and smooth - enveloped by Dean LeLeo's fretwork - and he frequently employed his trademark megaphone to provide added distortion and complexity.

While their self-titled debut is highly anticipated and much of it represented in the set ("Between the Lines" ignites on-stage), it's the hits fans begged and salivated for - and that's just what they received. STP dipped heavily into their catalog and knocked out the songs that brought them fame and acclaim. They managed to put together an eclectic set that worked wonders in terms of variety. Their powerful renditions of "Vaseline", "Interstate Love Song", "Wicked Garden", and "The Big Empty" were complemented nicely by down tempo songs like "Lady Picture Show" and "Creep". And while these all brought screams and renewed adoration (probably a relief for the boys), it was radio-favorite "Plush" that invigorated the throng of fans.

Though they've been locked up in the studio for the past year or so, last night's performance demonstrated the group's caliber and genuine dexterity. In fact, you wouldn't know they ever left the scene. The way they perform and interact, there's no doubt that they were meant to be together. (Velvet Revolver? Army of Anyone? C'mon!) What's more, the audience never turned their backs on them! While there were clearly fans that wore their scars of the '90s, there was also a fair amount of supporters from a newer, more youthful generation. But that shouldn't be too much of a surprise; after all, rock ‘n' roll applies to everyone and always will. And though many years have elapsed since the band left the scene in 2001 with Shangri-La Dee Da, Stone Temple Pilots continue to rock with a recognizable sound that should enchant and entice generations from yesterday, today, and hell, judging from its recent material, the future, as well.

Let's hope this success brings ‘em back to the Second City again and again.

Thanks to IMJ: @lowlight10: I don't know what show you saw man, but this is a totally inaccurate account of the night. No offense, but you mighta been on something yourself. I'll call it the way it is and this was a great show overall.

Thanks to lowlight10: Scott was very in and out. The first 3 songs blew me away, but that may have just been the euphoria of seeing one of may fav bands again. Scott speech was slurred, he couldnt keep his balance, and he was of key all night.

Still GREAT to see STP. I LOVE this band. but I will be shocked if Scott makes it through these 2011 tour plans.

Thanks to CMCracker: OMG THIS IS HOW IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE. Scott came out with a snuggie on and a kid underneath it lol vh1 was indeed taping everything so i cannot wait for that to come out!! Same setlist as last night and included PIECE OF PIE!! Scott did fall during plush but it was not in a drug or drunken stupor he tripped over the end of the mat, New songs are sounding better and better live. Scott did a lot of singing and dancing at the complete in of the stage past the speakers and for about 30 seconds he was singing while holding my hand.. I was in heaven =) he messed with dean a lot too, always on top pf him and even grabbed his ass at the end of the show. again lots of smiling and it looked like 4 friends jamming out. I will write more later.. I am exhausted!

Thanks to Chicago80: I've been browsing the site since they first broke up and I got back into the band, originally Big Empty on the Crow soundtrack drew me in (later Tiny drew me away), but it was only 8th grade w/ Purple, no shows for me...
I've seen a lot lately, and this was the best. Yes there were professional camera, probably Vh1, there for taping. Yes, he fell during plush, first time dancing back too far near Eric's kit and then trying to stand on the monitors on the stages edge. But, he was wearing heeled boots? I've worn flat leather boots and fell on the slick sole, sober, myself. So, I would have to say when he brought his daughter? out just before Vasoline, it's safe to say he wasn't really F'd up tonight. Vocally he's improved since I last saw, and he made a great effort to really move around for the cameras tonight. And probably reads this and hears the kids say he can't sing Piece of Pie, and so they added it to the set list, sounded good, if you liked the CD then just listen to that.
Bottom line, he's a 42yr old rock star. He's probably better than Mick Jagger in every way at 42, and a lot cheaper. It's not physically possible to sound like 1997,so probably not worth trying to live in it or reimagine it I think. It's a great show with great musicians. Pure entertainers in fact, not Lady Gaga or Kanye West playing through some ridiculous facade.....

Thanks to IMJ: Guys, this was an amazing show tonight. I was at the base of the floor against the handrail on the ramp next to the alley exit doors and the sound quality was terrific. Scott did indeed fall, but there's no need to make an ado about it. The band was firing on all cylinders, Dean really stepped up his guitars, Weiland and Robert were spot on with the harmonizing on the new songs, and Scott was on fire.

Seriously, this was a surprisingly good show where I felt the band made an effort to put on their best performance. It was like they were truly excited to be there (I've seen them before where they were sort of ho-hum, but not tonight).

Seriously, this show was the real deal. So much, that I'd call anyone that said otherwise a liar, a showboater, or totally uninformed about STP. Also, the new material made for great concert songs (anthemic vocals, rythmic guitars and head knocking drums). I pray to God someone has this show to share.....

I'm a long time, die hard STP fan, and as critical (or forgiving) as the next guy, but I tell you now that this show was the real deal regardless of whether or not Weiland tripped over a cord or whatnot.

Thanks to Andrew S: The show was excellent i was front row my ears are still ringing, Creep was my personal favorite. Great show again except Scott kinda fell down twice but kept goin like it never happened. Will see these guys again, best show I have been to!!!