It was all red wine and roses Thursday night when Perry Farrell brought Club Lollapalooza to Chicago's Metro. Not only was the club filled with excited Q101 contest winners, but industry folk and Chicago's top musicians graced the halls as well. When Porno For Pyros (Farrell, Steven Perkins, Peter DiStefano) stepped onto the rose-covered stage taking swigs of red wine right from the bottle, even Smashing Pumpkin Billy Corgan pulled his chair toward the stage for a closer look.

New mom Liz Phair was in the house and after talking to her, it became apparent how much excitement flowed through the crowd. "Watching this makes me realize how lucky I am," Phair beamed with a glow only a new mother could have. "My new album is finished and watching this show reminds me that I love performing live. I can't wait to get out on the road."

Club Lollapalooza made stops in New York and Miami before coming to Chicago; the only remaining show will land in Los Angeles. Club Lolla is Farrell's way of introducing the eclectic and talented lineup of artists to major cities before the full-blown Lollapalooza gets underway later this summer. Lisa Vega, publicist for Lollapalooza, said that the first two shows "have been great because of Perry's fans. It's a total give and take."

Jeremy Toback opened the evening with a quick set of smoky folk rock, followed by the cowboy rockabilly of Texas-based Old 97's. Porno For Pyros played a hot acoustic set that included "Porpoise Head," "Meija," "Tahitian Moon" and of course, "Pets."(AB)
(photos courtesy of Rachel Bleckman and Matador Records)