My goal is to see one show per week. Yes, I might be that annoying friend that just has to tell you about the thing you missed, but I’m also catching every great show in the city of Chicago–with plenty more ahead of me. Welcome to the Chicago Concert Dispatch.
At the time of this show, it is 29 weeks into the year and I have seen 126 shows.
Paper Machete was founded in 2009 by host/co-producer Christopher Piatt. Those familiar with Paper Machete in its usual home at the Green Mill, might be wondering, “Why a Blowout?” Multiple people discussed whether this meant that they were ending the Green Mill performances. Piatt addressed all of these questions in his opening monologue, “If you’ve ever been anywhere and seen anything that reminded you of something, the Machete Blowout will be kind of like that.”
Piatt calls it a live magazine show, which is a pretty apt description, even if it makes you think “Huh?” Imagine Mad Magazine, The New Yorker, or Huff Post being read to you by the authors in person. There were short performances, mostly comedic, but some serious. Skits, music, dance, puppets, and straight readings all blended together as a modern variety show. This particular evening was the first of what they hope will be an annual supersized version of what they do every week–and when I say supersized, I mean it. FIVE HOURS! I’ve never shied away from a 5+ hour play or a music festival. In fact, as a lover of the arts, I see it as a challenge like a runner might take on a marathon.
I love the feeling of being in the room during a live performance, so surely more of the thing I love is even better?
But I will tell you, I balked when I realized we were going to be standing on the cement floor of the Sleeping Village. It was essential to sit my ass down during the intermissions. Yes, there were two. By 10PM, I was remembering what it was like waiting tables or working retail and realized that I had gone soft. They did sell out the show, and I happily stood up front, a testament to the amazing talent they’d pulled together as well as the die-hard fans that would show up no matter what. I was there due to one such person, Matt Butcher, who has never steered me wrong.
I am going to grace you with a list of all the performers I was able to make note of, but I want to call out some of my favorites. Bad Bad Meow kicked down the door with one of my favorite songs of theirs, “5678.” Mark Christler brought us some crazy Chicago history with his argument that Levi Boone was the worst mayor in our city’s history. Xenophobia run amok to the point of banning Sunday beer sales to keep it out of immigrants hands on their sole day off, combined with forming the first militarized police force, resulting in the police shooting into a crowd of protesting Germans and Italians.
As you would expect with any magazine, there were many mentions of our current times: upcoming elections, Chance the Snapper (aka Humbolt Park lagoon alligator), and earthquakes. The most affecting was Megan Steilstra’s truly chilling essay about the Epstein abuses. Chad the Bird heated things up with his look at how humans have celebrated summer with “drink, party, bang, nap, and start all over again” since recorded history (and probably before). Evan and Mary Jane made me laugh to the point of tears with their songs “Gossipy Brunch” and “Wedding Season.” The stand up of comedians Adam Burke, Malic White, and Alex Kumin are all worth checking out if you get a chance.
There were a ton of great musicians, but if I had to choose just one to see again, it would be Bethany Thomas. Accompanied by soulful guitarist, John Szymanski, she elicited hoots and got the audience grooving with just two new songs from her forthcoming album. Her voice went from reedy high notes to rumbling basement tones.
There’s no way the show could have run without producer Leah Munsey. Her and Piatt obviously make a great team.
Paper Machete Blowout Performers:
- Bad Bad Meow (garage/art rock)
- Mark Chrisler (podcast “The Constant”)
- Bill Larkin (piano man genius)
- Sayjal Joshi
- DÉCIMA (pop)
- Matt Damon Improv (Chance the Snapper!)
- Kate Adams (folk)
- Malic White (comedian)
- The Cell Phones (post punk)
- Chad the Bird (puppet philosopher)
- Megan Stielstra (journalist/essay)
- Evan & Mary Jane (comedic music duo)
- Joe Fernandez & Danny Patton (comedic skit)
- Famous on the Low (rapper)
- Jill Hopkins (Host of The Morning AMp on @vocalo)
- Bethany Thomas with John Symanski (pure soul)
- Adam Burke (comedian)
- Air Credits (hip hop)
- Erin Diamond (as Melania Trump)
- Julia Weiss (as woman who just got dumped)
- Odinaka Ezeokoli (comedian)
- Maureen SanDiego (female female impersonator)
- The Oh Yeahs (lovely three part harmony in the Lilith Fair vein)
- Sam Bailey (Emmy nominated writer)
- Phillip-Michael Scales (dive bar soul)
- Alex Kumin (comedian)
That is not even a complete list! If you were at the show and know of someone I missed, feel free to send corrections/additions to tina.mead@midwestaxn.com.
You can catch Paper Machete at their free weekly shows at the Green Mill, Saturdays 3PM and Wednesdays 6:30PM.
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