The Chicks are down, but they're not out.
The fiery country-pop trio that continues to pour gasoline all over outdated notions has postponed its Cincinnati show that was to take place at Riverbend Music Center on June 21. As of Monday, the Chicks instead have moved the show to Oct. 2, with Patty Griffin still opening on the new date. Current tickets will be honored in October, or fans can obtain refunds at their point of purchase.
The band's social media posts on June 21 allude to health issues as the reason behind the reschedule, "as a result of strict doctor's orders for vocal rest. After kicking off a new tour at St. Louis' Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre on June 14, The Chicks have inched their way through cities and recently performed during the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee.
But on June 19 in Noblesville near Indianapolis, The Chicks played for just 30 minutes before calling it quits. Fans on social media commented that lead vocalist Natalie Maines had struggled with her voice. The band's social media post from that night says, "We are so sorry we could not give you the show you deserved."
This week's shows for Cincinnati, Noblesville and Clarkston, Michigan, all have been rescheduled for the fall.
Below, watch The Chicks perform "Sleep at Night" from the 2020 album Gaslighter.
CityBeat's previous show preview:
The Chicks still aren’t “ready to make nice,” and our ears are all the better for it.
It’s been nearly 20 years since The Chicks’ frontwoman Natalie Maines (rightly) criticized a U.S. president’s pro-war stance and triggered a major backlash from the nation’s post-9/11 “America-first” jingoism. “First these turncoats tried to spark a modern reflection of country music, and then they went after George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq? How dare these traitors? How dare these women?” The good ol’ boys fought back against the band’s free speech by tanking their album and ticket sales and making death threats, because ain’t that America.
But the Chicks’ punk-rock moment continues to reverberate today, sadly, as the United States grapples with Donald Trump’s MAGA cult, the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to allow states to outlaw and criminalize abortion and women worldwide are targets for gun and domestic violence.
The band – Maines along with Emily Strayer and Martie Maguire – promises to retain their outspoken spark as they settle into their new 27-city tour through North America. The acclaimed 2020 album Gaslighter – their first in 14 years – will provide the fuel for the women’s current fire. Written in the midst of Maines’ divorce, Gaslighter is a blend of nervy directness and swirling emotions.
In a recent interview with People magazine, Maines said that portions of the pandemic-delayed tour’s nightly setlists will be determined by a dice roll and that family members will be performing with the band. Standards like “Goodbye Earl” and “Sin Wagon” will be reworked alongside new songs “Julianna Calm Down” and “Sleep at Night.”
And nobody should expect a subdued version of The Chicks this far into their career. “We’re not going to hold back,” Maines told People.
Info: riverbend.org.
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