Concert Reviews

The Dixie Chicks - “The Fly Tour”

San Jose Arena (San Jose, CA)
June 16, 2000

Concert Review by Jeff Krasky

There has been a lot of talk about the Dixie Chicks and their first headlining tour. It’s set to hit over 70 cities and has been rumored to be bringing with it some changes in what we think about the way concerts should be handled. It was with great interest that I listened to their plans to make the intermission seem shorter by filling it with games and bringing artists that the Dixie Chicks felt deserved to be back in the spotlight on tour with them as opening acts. On Friday, June 12, 2000 I got to experience this tour and simply put it’s one of the most incredible tours on the road right now.

While waiting for the show to get started I already knew we were in for a unique musical experience. The videos that they played on the screen to keep us entertained ranged from country to rock to pop and R&B. It’s one of the things that make the Dixie Chicks so appealing. They’re open about the fact they like all types of music yet they record pure country records that appeal to all audiences. Instead of sacrificing country for pop to sell albums.

Patty Griffin was opening the San Jose show for the Dixie Chicks. Griffin is known more for her songwriting than her musical performances (she wrote “Let Him Fly” for the Chicks and “Goodbye” on Martina McBride’s newest release along with others). Griffin’s first album was an acoustic driven folk/country album that is simply one of the most stunning things released in the last ten years. Her second album Flaming Red on the other hand was a hard rocking folk rock record. I was completely unsure of how Griffin would approach a crowd that showed up in mass for a country band. Patty got out there and rocked the house with songs like “Flaming Red,” “Change” and “Carry Me”. She also sang a couple of songs from her upcoming album. I was shocked to see she played her daring song titled “Tony”. It’s an awesome song but the subject matter is a little sensitive. I was slightly disappointed that no songs from her first album Living With Ghosts but that can be over looked with the way she rocked the house. An impressive rock set. However, I will confess I can see how people who came for a country concert might have thought they accidentally walked into the wrong building. If you haven’t heard Patty, run out and take a listen she’s great.

During the intermission staff members of musiccountry.com (the tours sponsor) came out and played games with the crowd. These included throwing footballs around for Platinum Cards (if you got one of these cards you won a prize that was yet to be announced), dance contests and a funny bit with making people make animal noises. The winners of the Platinum Cards were presented with seat upgrades to the front row. A nice touch and it made the intermission go by a lot quicker.

The Dixie Chick had their stage covered in a curtain designed to look like a pair of jeans, zipper and all. The lights dimmed and keeping with the Fly theme Lenny Kravitz “Fly Away” started blaring. Once the song completed the zipper on the front of the stage came undone, the curtains dropped and the opening fiddle of “Ready To Run” filled the arena. The crowd completely lost it.

There is no doubting the energy the Dixie Chicks possess and they proved they can go the distance. You’d be hard pressed to find a song they didn’t play. After “Ready To Run” they kept the pace going with “There’s Your Trouble” which drove the crowd even farther over the edge. I haven’t seen a crowd so into a show before.

One point worth mentioning was how masterfully the Dixie Chicks blended their upbeat numbers and ballads together. Not once throughout the entire show did I feel like the show was dragging along. “Give It Up Or Let Me Go” was a show stealer. All three Chicks played powerful instrumentals and Natalie Maines wailed away. You couldn’t help but sit in awe.

Maines has one of the most powerful voices in the business and she proved it with a stunning rendition of “You Were Mine”. The song got one of the best responses of the evening. A cool remixed version of “I Can Love You Better” was played as well. The drumbeats were extremely cool. Natalie dedicated “Let ‘Er Rip” to all the guys in the audience and belted the song out with every bit of energy she could muster.

One of the best moments of the show was when a couch was brought out on stage along with Patty Griffin. All four of them sat down and played “Fly”. Natalie and Patty switched off parts of the song. The crowd won’t soon forget that. Once Patty left the Dixie Chicks played “Strong Enough” (originally recorded by Sheryl Crow) as well as “Heartbreak Town” from Fly.

The Chicks also presented the crowd with a funny slide show of pictures from when they were all little. The commentary was hilarious and it added a nice touch to the whole show.

Other songs that were played include “If I Fall You’re Going Down With Me” (which got a huge response, I sense this will be the next single), “Hello Mr. Heartache”, “Don’t Waste Your Heart”, “Tonight The Heartaches On Me” and “Cowboy Take Me Away”.

Towards the end of the show the crowd got a solid dose of “Sin Wagon” which is always a hightlight. The song suits Natalie’s personality well and you can tell she loves singing it.

Throughout the show Martie Seidel and Emily Robison displayed their exceptional talent on their instruments. Martie is simply one of the best fiddle players I’ve ever heard and Emily came really jam on the Banjo.

Once the Dixie Chicks left the stage they were called back out by an incredibly loud roar. The crowed wanted more and they were about to get it. Natalie appeared at the back of the arena, Martie on the top level on the left and Emily across from her on the right side of the arena. With the video playing at the stage the Dixie Chicks blasted through “Goodbye Earl”. This is where the only foul up of the night was. For the first third of the song Natalie’s mic didn’t work. The crowd was singing so loud that covered for her but it still was disappointing. They disappeared again and reappeared a few minutes later on the stage and sang “Wide Open Spaces” with the crowd singing along at the top of their lungs.

The Dixie Chicks have put together one incredible concert. You’ll here just about every song you could possibly want and each one is filled with their undeniably catchy energy. They should find a way to bottle that stuff up. As I left the arena three things crossed my mind. One, when do we get a live album so we can experience that show whenever we want? Two, how in the hell did these girls get to be so damn good? Three, when is the next plane leave town for where it is they’re playing next? This has my vote for show of the year, go get your tickets now while you still can!