Went to see the Dixie Chicks last night at Tacoma Dome. This is the third big show at the Tacoma Dome I’ve seen and the third time I’ve said that I’ll never see another show there. The accoustics were terrible as the place is a barn. I couldn’t hear a word Natalie said between songs, there wasn’t screens showing to the sides, only to the front (we were close to the stage but off to the right) and the light show/staging was very basic and pretty lame.

Anyhow, the Chicks are amazing musicians. I’ve loved their music since Wide Open Spaces and have all of their CDs (except for their latest which I listen to on Rhapsody). Natalie has a great voice, Martie is an incredible fiddle player and Emily is wonderful on the mandolin and steel guitar. Their songs are fun, sad and full of life. Even in the barn of the Tacoma Dome, the music was tight and they had a sturdy band of seven including David Grisholm on guitar. They played for 1.5 hours and 18 or so songs from all of their albums. They didn’t use the stage very well and mostly stood in front of their microphones to sing. They didn’t put out a ton of energy even though the crowd was very enthusiastic (and 70% women – I guess chicks dig Chicks).

Overall, it was worth seeing them live, but I’d much rather see them at an outdoor event or a more intemate venue like QWEST field