Chicago’s Plain White T’s on Rock Band Live Tour |

Chicago’s Plain White T’s on Rock Band Live Tour

Posted by Jennifer Boyer On October - 26 - 2008

Plain White T’s
Rock Band Live Tour
Allstate Arena – Rosemont, IL
October 22, 2008

Plain White T's RBL

Tom Higgenson (lead vocals/guitar)

I cannot even remember how many times I have seen the Plain White T’s, but I will tell you one thing: I NEVER get tired or sick of seeing them live in concert. The fivesome from Chicago are currently opening up for Panic At The Disco on the first ever Rock Band Live Tour. The band’s latest album Big Bad World just came out last month and if you catch the Plain White T’s on the Rock Band Live Tour, you will get to hear a few of the record’s new songs. When the band stopped in Chicago last Wednesday, they performed a few I had not heard before, such as “Natural Disaster,” “Big Bad World,” and “1, 2, 3, 4.” Do not fear though, the T’s played the requisite oldies and crowd favorites. These classics included “Our Time Now,” “Take Me Away,” “Hey There Delilah,” and “Friends Don’t Let Friends Dial Drunk.” The Plain White T’s ended their 30-minute set with “Hate (I Really Don’t Like You),” which is by far the band’s biggest hit besides the huge success of the Grammy nominated Song of the Year “Hey There Delilah.”

More photos of the Plain White T’s band members and the night’s set list (in no particular order) after the jump!

Plain White T's RBL 1 Dave Tirio (guitar)

I always have a good time watching the Plain White T’s, mostly because their songs are so freaking contagiously catchy! Frontman (lead singer and head songwriter) Tom Higgenson has the formula for crafting the perfect pop song and he knows how to use it. While the guys may never write a song as great as “Hey There Delilah” ever again in their career, I kind of get the feeling that they don’t want to, which is perfectly fine with me. I am always anticipating what new melodies, harmonies, and lyrics my favorite artists can conjure up album after album. Big Bad World does not stray far from the band’s typical sound and the 11 tracks on the record could not be labeled as anything but a T’s song.

Mike Retondo (bass/vocals) Plain White T's RBL 2

The only let down of the night was the fact that the band didn’t play any of the REALLY old songs from their first record Stop. It was not uncommon for diehard fans to yell out “Fireworks” in between every song, just hoping to hear the song that introduced the Plain White T’s to their first few fans. Oh well, maybe on an upcoming headlining tour with a longer set time, these boys from the suburbs of Chicago will go wayyy back in their catalogue and give the fans what they want…

De’Mar Hamilton (drums)