With Napster sponsoring this limited-date free tour featuring Limp Bizkit and Cypress Hill, recent events might have suggested that the plug would have been pulled on this Chicago show.
However, the controversial mp3-swapping software pioneers may be close to shutting down but it's business as usual for the rock rap conglomerate that is Limp Bizkit. So, a notice on the door notified us that all rights were waived upon entering, partly because footage of the show was being filmed and partly, no doubt, because this is Limp Bizkit and what happens in here is anyone's guess.
Stuck out in the Chicago suburbs at a relatively small venue for Fred Durst and crew, the show had seen eager fans queuing through the night to pick up their free wristbands. Once they were finally unleashed in the venue it went off from the moment Cypress Hill arrived on stage looking characteristically droopy eyed. Starting the set with classics 'Kill a Man' and 'Hand on the Pump', they then ran through rock-influenced tracks from recent album 'Skull and Bones'. The highlight of their performance coming when B-Real busted out Excalibur, a 6 foot glass bong. A few fans got onstage and took hits along with the band and it wasn't long before the entire venue reeked of bud. Of course Cypress followed with their classics 'Stoned...' and 'Hits from the Bong', finally winding up with 'Rock Superstar'.
In time for Limp Bizkit's appearance onstage, a 25 foot chain link fence had been erected to separate the band from the crowd with an opening from which Fred Durst could stand and address the crowd. Post-Woodstock, it seems the band were taking no chances away from the usual high-security stadium set-up. Nonetheless, the barrier created an intense crowd dynamic with non-stop stage diving and attempts to scale the fence from the moment they arrived on stage.
'Re-Arranged', 'Break Stuff', and 'Faith' elicited suitably ecstatic responses from the crowd of strictly hardcore fans. For 'Nookie' Fred instructed the female fans to get up on stage then followed it by launching into Mission Impossible 2 theme, 'Take a Look Around'.
Napster was mentioned only once during the entire performance, as Fred said: "They're trying to shut it down! At least you are getting this free show!" He then climbed to the top of the chain-link fence apparatus and shocked the crowd by stagediving head-first into the mosh pit, a 30 foot drop! Security rushed in to pull him out but not before the fans stripped him of his shirt and shoes.
After some mock-theatrical raging against the crowd for stealing his sneakers, Fred dished out an electrifying version of Ministry's 'Thieves and Liars' to seal a triumphant concentrated live attack. Unquestionably one of America's greatest live experiences at this moment in time, watch out for an upcoming tour featuring Limp Bizkit, Eminem, Papa Roach and west coast rapper Xzibit.
