A fun. Night Out

Despite my new favorite band members driving me a little nuts with their insistence on a lower-case "f" and a period at the end of their name, the boys from fun. put on a great show in Milwaukee last week.

Originally, Joe and I had planned to see them at The Taste of Chicago on July 10th.  I wasn't thrilled at the prospect despite a long history of attending The Taste.  In high school, my pals and I would ride the Metra to The Taste every summer.  In college, I would invite friends from southern Illinois to enjoy the experience.  When my babies were little, I would even pack up a double stroller and walk down the lakefront for a scoop of my favorite Rainbow Cone.

Yet the energy changed in recent times.  Crime, violence, and a blemished reputation started causing folks to re-think this summer ritual.  My last visit was 2009, and I pretty much swore off the whole thing after that.

But I totally love fun.

And that's when my Milwaukee friend emailed me to say they were going to be at Summerfest.  We were in.

The only place where garbage cans smile at you.

Best date night ever.

I was super happy right about now.  God bless beer tents.

The group had just returned from a European trip to start the summer U.S. touring season.  Leader singer, Nate Ruess, seemed blown away by the enthusiasm and crowds, explaining that this was the largest audience they had ever seen.  There were several times during the concert where Nate just sat back and reveled in the droves of people singing his own songs back to him.

Goose pimples.

It was such a fantastic concert that my husband suggested we actually do the Taste of Chicago this year just to see them again.  It might be worth it.

What do you think?