The opening act was Mick from the band Gidgets Ga Ga who has opened for Kasim before at this venue. Unfortunately most people chatted through all of his set, some were talking quite loudly too. I must admit that I didn’t particularly enjoy his set (according to my friend every one of his songs were in the key of G so it wasn’t varied) but we at least had the courtesy to listen to him and not attempt to talk over him. Later, during Kasim’s set, Mick was sitting near us with about 4 of his fans and they were talking very loudly when Kasim was playing. Despite being told to "shush" they carried on which was really distracting to us so I went over to them and pointed out that Kasim was playing and we had listened quietly to Mick’s set so please could they show Kasim the same respect. Oops!!! Thankfully Mick had the good grace to just apologise and they kept quiet after that.

Kasim started his set at his keyboards by playing his song Drivin’ Me Mad which was great to hear again. I thought that he struggled slightly with the higher notes in this song but by the end of the set, he was singing all the notes perfectly so possibly his voice wasn’t totally warmed up before he started? Kasim then went straight into Over For Now which is just perfect on the keyboards! Kasim then immediately sang Yellow Cab (still on the keyboards) without talking. This song was lovely to hear as his voice was really good in this one.

Kasim then moved to his centre microphone and strapped on his acoustic looking guitar while telling us how much he enjoys playing in Chicago. He also said that he knew he’d make loads of mistakes tonight so he decided to at least dress the part! (He was wearing a black jacket and white shirt.) Kasim’s next song was The God Of Low but he’d only played a few bars of it before he realised that he didn’t have his capo on his guitar! He then sang the first verse twice as he wasn’t happy with the first attempt. This was a different version to how he has played it before as it was softer and seemed to me to be less aggressive. From the applause afterwards the audience really liked this song.

I Just Wanna Touch You was next with a very slow start as Kasim paused between each line which was a nice spin on the song.

Kasim next gave a heartfelt speech explaining why he was playing these gigs. He said that so far this year he’s had some "really, really big changes" in his life. He explained that he’s given up smoking (massive applause) and that in January he quit a job that he had been in for several years (he described it as “I was tired of sacrificing my emotional health for a pay-cheque”) and said that his personal relationship had not been working and so they had decided to separate after being together for years but that she became very sick so he is looking after his family. Kasim then said that despite all this (or maybe because of it???) he decided to record a new solo record and explained that usually he takes about six months to write and record an entire song but this year the ideas had been pouring out of him. He also said that all of his fans would be able to be involved in the cover of his new album! Details will be posted via his mailing list on KasimSulton.com once he has worked out the logistics of it. Kasim also said that he had some new songs almost ready but that they weren’t quite ready to play yet. We then had the cover version portion of his set as he sang Afraid Himself To Be which he said that he used to play at his first solo gigs) straight into Somebody Loves You (by Jason Faulkner and Nik Kershaw respectively).

After Kasim told us that this next album of his would be his last one as a CD (after that he will issue his songs as downloads) he played Sacrifice. This also seemed to be a gentler version of the song but thankfully he kept in the muted guitar strings part that I like so much. Judging from the applause, Sacrifice was very popular with the Chicago crowd. This then led almost straight into There Goes My Inspiration before Kasim moved back to his keyboards to play Set Me Free which received even more applause than Sacrifice!

Next Kasim told us that he’s still not sure whether or not he will be playing as part of Todd Rundgren’s band for his gigs in September but that he will be playing a solo gig in Akron on the afternoon of the first Todd gig. Kasim joked as the last gig he played there had a theme of a pyjama party that this one would have a beach theme and that he would get Todd to wear a Speedo.

Kasim said that he had been stopped for speeding in Elkhart, Indiana on his way to Chicago and then told us the story of him being stopped for speeding in a Mercedes Benz in Los Angeles. It’s a story I’ve heard before but it’s really funny and is an interesting reflection on Kasim’s life. Kasim then explained that in lieu of not having any new songs he was going to play an unusual one from his past career. This was from his first professional band that he joined soon after leaving school and that they were a band who had released an album called Sleepy Hollow. He said that he played piano in the band and sang lead on a couple of songs including the one he was going to sing tonight. Kasim told us some of the venues that they had played and mistakenly said one was called Helen Keller! He then joked that they had blind mime acts there! Kasim warned us that the song was from the early 70s and that it had a line in it which had paedophilic connotations. The line was “Darling who cares if you’re only 17 and I’m nearly 25” as apparently that is being a paedophile in the US (it’s not classed as that in the UK as both people are over the age of 16). The song was quite dated but sounded very effective on the keyboards as the melody was very piano based. For some reason this was the song that I went out of the venue hearing in my head.

Next was the audience participation part of the set – Libertine which the Chicago audience sang with real gusto!

Kasim then switched guitars to his brown-orange more metal one (I really need to find out the correct names of his guitars!) to sing Watching The World Go By and then straight into The One Sure Thing which was just beautiful to hear again!

It was back to the keyboards next for Love Alone but tonight at the end he went into a few bars of Eternal Love too! That’s one song which people constantly shout out for at Kasim’s gigs so this was a nice way to include part of it.

Unfortunately it was already time for Kasim’s final song so he played One World which was hugely popular and ended Kasim’s set with a standing ovation! In fact there was so much chapping and cheering that they brought him back to play an encore of Drive which was a nice surprise. Kasim's set lasted for for 1 hour and 33 minutes.

And there ended the first of Kasim’s seven gigs on this tour.

Roll on Fort Atkinson tomorrow!

Review by Karen:
I love when Kasim comes to The Abbey Pub to play! It is a great place to see a show and the people/food are fantastic! My sis and I were lucky enough to see Kasim when he got there and we were able to talk for a little bit, it was a great start to a wonderful evening. Kasim looked good as always, he had quit smoking for 3 months so far and I know how hard that is to do.

Talked to the regulars that I see at all the Todd/Kasim shows and it was good to see a decent crowd for him. So glad he likes coming to Chicago, he said it's his second home. The Abbey Pub set up chairs to see Kasim's show, usually it's tables and chairs but I kind of liked it. No drunks, no yelling and screaming, it was most enjoyable. I think it's been my favorite show at the Abbey Pub so far!

I will let Sue do the set list but I can tell you I loved every song Kasim played and his voice sounded Excellent! I LOVE when he plays the piano! I'm looking forward to hearing the new cd and to seeing Kasim play in Akron, Ohio a beach party solo show on Sept. 5!

The venue (taken from the KasimInfo.com Blog that day):
Tonight Kasim Sulton plays his first gig of a new solo tour! The gig tonight is at The Abbey Pub in Chicago, IL.

Kasim has played at The Abbey Pub several times over the past 9 years (since he re-started his solo career). His last performance here was on Friday 16th October 2009. Prior to that gig he played here on Thursday 12th March 2009, Friday 21st March 2008, Saturday 27th January 2007, Saturday 16th February 2002 and Friday 10th August 2001. Kasim usually gets his largest crowds in this city - last time there was a long queue outside so it's advisable to eat beforehand in the restaurant as those people are allowed into the venue first.

This is also one of the best venues that Kasim plays as it's a relaxed bar so you can sit where you like but there are tables where people can eat snacks too either just before or during the gig. After the show Kasim always makes an appearance either in the room itself or in the bar area opposite the room (but still within the same building) so remember to stay around to talk to him and get photos!

The concert starts at 7.00pm with doors opening at 6.30pm. The opening act is Mick from Gidget's Ga Ga.

Tickets are $25 on the door or $25 in advance (recommended) at this link. The venue is located at 3420 W Grace Street, Chicago, IL 60618-4215 (telephone 773-478-4408).

Click here for more info about this gig. This is a 21 and over only gig.

Pre-show page on KasimInfo.com:
Click here

Kasim Sulton's 2010 Gigs