Three Nights, Three Legends: A Weekend of Unforgettable Live Entertainment
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Sometimes, the universe just lines things up perfectly. You can’t plan for it, it just happens. And when it does, you ride that wave. The weekend before last, Julie and I had one of those rare stretches where everything clicked.
Over the course of three nights, we saw three completely different, completely brilliant live performances from three wildly unique artists: Tom Green, Suzanne Vega, and Iggy Pop. Comedy, folk, and punk rock — all in one weekend.
Each night had its own vibe, its own electricity, and its own kind of magic. And it all added up to one of the most entertaining weekends I’ve ever had.
Night One: Tom Green at Park West – A Surreal, Hilarious Return to Chaos
Tom Green is a genius. Let’s just start there. I’ve known Tom for years — he’s been on my show, we’ve hung out — but beyond the personal connection, I’ve always thought of him as a pioneer.
This is the guy who practically invented podcasting, revolutionized uncomfortable comedy, and made “absurdist” a household word before most people even knew what it meant. Way before Jackass, way before Punk’d, there was Tom Green doing bizarre, fearless, edgy material that made you laugh — or cringe — or both.
Julie and I caught his live show at Park West, and it was everything you’d want from Tom Green and more. He took the stage with his beloved dog Charley (yes, on stage the whole time — and yes, better behaved than most humans), and immediately dove into his trademark blend of absurdity and confrontation. The set was a mix of stand-up, storytelling, music, and full-on performance art.
He told deeply personal and hilarious stories about his time in Hollywood — from his successes and failures, to why he walked away from it all to live quietly on a farm in Ontario. He talked about aging, about social media, about the shift in the world since his MTV heyday.
And then, in true Tom Green fashion, he picked up a guitar and performed original songs (some absurd, some surprisingly moving), and capped it off with a jaw-dropping, never-ending, hilarious rendition of Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler” — which included the chorus, “know when to hold 'em,” repeated more times than I can count. It was chaotic and brilliant.
After the show, we went backstage and caught up. It was great to see Tom and meet his fiancée and, of course, Charley. This was vintage Tom Green: unfiltered, unpredictable, and still one of the most innovative voices in comedy. He gave up the glitz and grime of Hollywood, and in the process, he found something much more real. It was a joy to watch and be a part of.
Night Two: Suzanne Vega at Old Town School of Folk Music – An Intimate, Poetic Masterclass
Suzanne Vega is, simply put, one of my favorite singer-songwriters of all time. I’ve been a devoted fan since her 1985 debut and have followed her every move over the last 40 years.
I’ve seen her dozens of times in Chicago and New York, and she never disappoints. But this show — night two of her two-night stand at the Old Town School of Folk Music — was something special. It was only Julie’s second time seeing her live, and I was thrilled to share that experience.
Suzanne was joined by her longtime guitarist Gerry Leonard (who played with David Bowie, by the way) and cellist Stephanie Winters. Together, the three created an atmosphere that was as intimate as it was musically rich. Suzanne’s voice remains as distinctive and hauntingly beautiful as ever — a voice unlike anyone else’s — and her songwriting continues to cut deep.
The setlist was a blend of old favorites and new material from her upcoming album Flying With Angels (out this May). We heard early previews of songs like “Rats,” “Chambermaid,” and the gorgeous title track, and they were every bit as strong as her classic material.
Of course, she played “Marlene on the Wall,” “Luka,” “Gypsy” (complete with a wonderful story about a teenage summer romance and a traded bandana), and the iconic “Tom’s Diner,” which turned into a joyous, dance-worthy finale complete with a top hat.
Between songs, Suzanne told stories that were touching, funny, and deeply human. Her stage presence is warm and confident, and she connects with her audience in a way few artists can.
After the show, we went backstage to say hello, take some pictures, and chat. She signed a couple of things for me and told us she’s looking forward to having dinner with us in New York this spring. Honestly, I’m still smiling just thinking about it.
Suzanne Vega is the consummate artist — poetic, intelligent, funny, and graceful. If she’s playing anywhere near you, do yourself a favor and go.
Night Three: Iggy Pop at The Salt Shed – Pure, Unfiltered Punk Rock Mayhem
And then... came Iggy.
After two nights of cerebral laughs and poetic folk, Julie and I headed to The Salt Shed to have our faces melted off by the one and only Iggy Pop. The Godfather of Punk. A living legend. A chaos machine in human form.
At almost 78 years old, Iggy Pop still performs with more raw energy, attitude, and stage presence than performers a quarter his age. What we witnessed was nothing short of a rock ‘n’ roll miracle.
He hit the stage wearing just a vest, but then quickly became shirtless (of course), and launched immediately into “Five Foot One,” and never looked back. Yes, he’s older, he limps a bit, and his body bears the wear and tear of a lifetime of mayhem — but make no mistake, he’s still Iggy Pop.
He jumped into the crowd, rolled on the stage, flung mic stands, spat water, shouted expletives, and gave a masterclass in unrelenting rock performance.
The setlist was a perfect balance of Iggy’s solo work and Stooges classics: “Search and Destroy,” “Lust for Life,” “The Passenger,” “I Wanna Be Your Dog,” “Real Wild Child.”
His band — composed of younger musicians including members of Yeah Yeah Yeahs and a killer horn section — was ridiculously tight. They hit every note with precision and intensity, and the sound mix was pristine. It was loud. It was fast. It was brilliant.
From our perch in the balcony, we had the perfect view of a sea of humanity below — an audience that ranged in age from 20 to 70, all united in shared awe. Mosh pits broke out. Singalongs erupted. Joy was everywhere. It was beautiful chaos.
Opening the show was Verboten — a resurrected band from Evanston that recorded their first album when its members were 11 to 13 years old. Fronted by Jason Narducy (currently touring with Bob Mould and Michael Shannon’s R.E.M. tribute), they played a ferocious 35-minute set, and it was a perfect lead-in to Iggy.
I even had a quick catch-up with Jason before the show, and he was beaming — getting to open for Iggy Pop was clearly a big moment for him.
By the end of the night, our ears were ringing, our voices were shot, and Julie had fallen head over heels for Iggy Pop. It was her first time seeing him, and she now ranks it as one of the best concerts she’s ever attended. I don’t blame her.
A Weekend for the Books
Three nights. Three incredible performers. Three unforgettable shows.
From the beautifully bizarre mind of Tom Green, to the poetic soul of Suzanne Vega, to the primal fury of Iggy Pop, we experienced a full spectrum of live entertainment — comedy, storytelling, folk, and punk rock — all in one unforgettable weekend.
Each night gave us something different. We laughed, we cried, we danced, we screamed. And we were reminded once again why live performance is essential, irreplaceable, and sometimes… downright magical.
Julie and I feel incredibly lucky to have witnessed all three. And if this kind of weekend ever comes around again, we’ll be front row center — again.
That’s how you do it.
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