Show Review + Setlist + Photos: The Eagles and Dixie Chicks Play Big League Country-Rock at Busch Stadium, Thursday, June 24

By Katie Moulton Fri., Jun. 25 2010 at 10:34 AM

Katie Moulton

The scene last night at Busch Stadium before the Eagles/Dixie Chicks show

The Eagles played it straight last night at Busch Stadium and managed to please everyone: the younger set relatively new to their catalog of country-rock classics as well as fans who have waited more than 35 years for this show. More than a few times, the stands echoed with the phrase, "Once in a lifetime."

Both the Eagles and the Dixie Chicks have a history of toeing the line between goes-down-easy mass appeal and piss-off-your-demo politics, and the bird-named bill made even more sense after seeing the bands back-to-back.

Katie Moulton

Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks

The Dixie Chicks, too, has melded country, bluegrass, rock and pop for years -- they covered both Bob Dylan and Train last night -- and, if the band was ever outside the snug embrace of mainstream approval, well, it's back now. As the sun laser-cut down the first base line, the Chicks kicked into 1998's "Wide Open Spaces" to a mostly-full stadium. Lead singer Natalie Maines, sporting a close-cropped "pixie chick" haircut, sounded strong as ever throughout the set, her unique voice alternatively ringing out, leaping and breaking in just the right places. All the elements were in place during a hit-laden set spanning its career: Emily Robison's sweet banjo, Martie Maguire's nimble fiddle, Maines' spunky snarl. The biggest hoots went up for won't-back-down anthem "Not Ready to Make Nice" and "Sin Wagon" - which includes the once-controversial lyric "mattress dancing" - proving that any past perceived sins are indeed forgiven.

Appropriately enough for the venue home to a Cardinals lineup, the Eagles' set was a long string of hits. With the four members - Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Timothy B. Schmit and Joe Walsh - standing at the front of the stage, the show started with the signature a cappella harmonies of "Seven Bridges Road," which was enough to raise neck hairs on a St. Louis summer night. The Eagles spurred directly into country testifier "How Long" off 2007's Long Road Out of Eden; meanwhile the beer vendors whispered warnings of "last call." It was 8:54 p.m. - for thirsty upper-deck dwellers, it was time to take it to the limit.

The mostly middle-aged crowd around me perched comfortably in the hard-backs for the show's duration, but their seat-dancing, hand-waving and singing along were emphatic. When a Spanish trumpet sounded before the fourth song, audience members cried, "They wouldn't play it this early, would they?!" Sure enough - curveball! - Henley behind the drums boom-boomed into "Hotel California."

Katie Moulton

"Welcome to the..." well, you know.

Each of the members took turns on lead vocals and in taking command othe stage, as the set paid homage to the members' solo careers, as when Schmit laid down a Bee Gees-style cushion of falsetto on "I Can't Tell You Why." (They did not play Frey's "The Heat Is On," but the H was definitely O.) The solo hits might even have gotten the most audible thrill from the audience - especially on Henley's '80s-era staple "Boys of Summer" and Walsh's comic "Life's Been Good," during which he updated the lyric to "they send me emails, tell me I'm great."

Tags:

busch stadium, dixie chicks, photos, setlist, show review, the eagles

We Recommend

Jack area

OK. Now we move to Houston,TX, where I finally got to see this band I grew up with while in LA.

We were spared the Dixie Chicks which I intended to miss, instead opting for Chinese food and a beer within a 3 wood of the Toyoyta center. As luck would have it, I met Danny and Mark, (set up guys for the show) at the bar. They said enjoy your beer, the real show will start at about 8:15. They were right on as the first melody started as I headed for my 9th row seat.

With an intermission (time for a Shiner Bock), they did not end until 11:30!

The song list was nearly the same as The St. Louis one. However, maybe it was Henley's Texas roots, but I think we got an inspired performance and they added the J.D. souther co-written "The best of my love", which came off nicely.

I am a big Joe Walsh fan, and having paid for tickets to a 1970's James Gang concert at the Santa Monica Civic, this was STILL my first chance to see Joe, as they must have parted ways right before the show, because he never again performed with them. He did not disappoint. He is the ultimate performer with contored facial expressions, the ability to harness 2 guitars while playing "rocky Mountain Way" and deliver foot stomping rifts each time he is center stage.

The horns, the two keyboard players and the background photographs and cinema were a big added entertainment value making the $250 I paid on crags list a steal.

If you plan to catch them, step up and get good seats.

Abby

I agree with a lot of the comments. I was afraid how fans in this relatively conservative state of MO would react to the Chicks. STL showed a lot of class. There was support and I felt people were moved by their talent. It's true that it is not about the politics. I was in awe of Natalie's voice...my husband and I agree she stole the show with "Not Ready to Make Nice." I think Joe Walsh and Don Henley are amazing musicians with unique voices..by far the most amazing concert of my life. God given talent to all on stage that night. I'm glad we got to be a part of it. By far one of the best memories of the year.

Mark

Don

I'm not ready to play nice with the traitor Dixie Chicks yet either.... I tolorated their performance to get to the Eagles, and it was worth it...I never thought I would ever get to see the Eagles in concert. It was Awesome and I enjoyed it completely. They did a great job and I enjoyed getting the "additional" hits from Joe. Over 30 years of enjoyment capped off in a great evening. Thanks GUYS!

michael eversole

It was perfect in every aspect!

Deborah Smith

I've always been a fan of the Dixie Chicks. Their political views have no bearing on whether or not I like their music. They have talent that many bands these days wish they had. Natalie's voice is as strong as ever. I was mezmerized by the music and found myself wishing they had played longer, much longer. The Eagles were good but I have to say the Chicks were better.

dawhizz

Bryan/Ruthie:To be fair, I began by saying I wasn't a huge fan of either band and mentioned that quite enjoyed the concert. And I certainly didn't mean to suggest that St. Louis fans are less than great in general. I only mean to indicate that I feared a certain type of fan who might have liked the Dixie Chicks before the comments to which that song refers who were also Eagles fans might have reacted negatively to the song (check out the comments the followed the show announcement over at the Dispatch site if you don't believe me). The fact that it got arguably the largest ovation of their set says a lot, and I was glad to hear it.

Ruthie

It was an awesome concert. Yeah, I don't think Greg and Charlie were there either. Greg where are you from?St Louis fans are the best,you must be thinking of Philadelphia!

kjp

The Dixie Chicks gave The Eagles a run for their money. I was not a huge fan prior to the show but I am now. The Chicks were exciting and vibrant, truly talented musicians. The Eagles had a brilliant sound and only get better with age. The show was worth the money we spent.

kjp

Bryan

All I can say is: The Eagles kicked ass.....! The Dixie Chicks kicked ass....! That's one of the best concerts I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot in the last 30 years. Professional, polished, amazing, and I can't wait to see if they have a 40th anniversary tour next year! Awesome concert! If you're an Eagles fan, and haven't seen them, check 'em out. (Greg and Charlie, u don't know what you're talking about, were u even there?)

Charlie

I read reviews from other cities. Most said that the Eagles were stiff and cold and that the DC's stole the show. I didn't see that at all. I am a used-to-be fan of the DC's. I didn't like what they said about Bsh, but really, I don't really care what they say eother way. Most entertainers including the Eagles are libs but I still enjoy thier talent. By the way, I think the reason that the Chicks got everyone pissed is because they were not convicted to what they said. Natalie was just looking for cheap applause just like last night. The Chicks looked like they were bored to death. Just a few unrelavent has-beens clinging to thier self imposed shorten career. Too bad because they are as talented as they come. The Eagles, on the other hand, looked pretty lively for a bunch of old guys. The light show and stage were second only to the better than CD quality sound. Good show!

dawhizz

I don't know that it was a great concert (though I'm not a huge fan of either band), but something about the wonderful weather, the moderately well-behaved crowd (you never know), and well-played music made for a pretty enjoyable evening, IMO. Sitting way up in Busch Stadium, with most all the lights out and looking over the stage against the backdrop of the lighted city gave me something to marvel at even when my interest in the songs started to wane.

Also, I have to say I was impressed by the crowd reaction to Not Ready to Make Nice. Considering the hoosier rep St. Louis often gets (and occasionall earns), it was a potential make-or-break song, but it was the best single performance of the night and the crowd really responded positively. Maybe there's hope for us yet.