It Happened Last Night
The Format Sing, Dance in Chicago
The Arizona-bred band wowed the crowd at Chi-town's Metro, with Rainer Maria, Anathallo, and Street to Nowhere in the house.
By Spin Staff 08.21.06 3:00 AM
"We’re going to have a good night of singing and dancing," promised Nate Ruess, the Format’s lead singer, and he wasn’t just saying that. From the opening note of "Dog Problems" (the title track from the band’s recent sophomore release) to the last of "Inches and Falling," the sold-out crowd sang along to the Format’s power pop at the top of their lungs, much to the Arizona band’s awe and appreciation. Considering the Format released Dog Problems independently, the energy of their Chicago reception far surpassed anyone’s expectations. "This is unbelievable," Ruess said. "It’s without the help of radio, without the help of a major label. This is real." Members of Anathallo, who opened the show along with Rainer Maria and Street to Nowhere, added horns and backing vocals to a few Format tunes. Whether the songs were old, like the slower "On Your Porch," or new, like "The Compromise" (which inspired a dance party of its own), it was hard to tell whether it was the Format or their fans who were having more fun. STORY BY ERICA FUTTERMAN. PHOTOS BY KAREN CHAN
We asked: Given that the Format’s new single is called "The Compromise," what’s the toughest compromise you’ve had to make? COMMENT
Name: Nina Dali
Age: 21
Hometown: Bloomingdale, IL
Occupation: Student
"I just graduated from DePaul University…. My parents are divorcing so can't move home…. I'm basically finding my own way."
Name: Jenni Wight
Age: 22
Hometown: Carol stream, IL
Occupation: Student
"I've been living on my own for the past year and now I'm moving in with two other people and one is a guy…. I've been spoiled living on my own, but rent is too expensive."
Name: Geno Graan
Age: 39
Hometown: Chicago
Occupation: Self-employed
"I compromise going to Cubs games when I'm a Sox fan."
Name: Mike Baraden
Age: 26
Hometown: Gary, IN
Occupation: Sales
"I don't really compromise; I talk myself into situations and I get what Iwant."
Name: Sarah Bryant
Age: 20
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Occupation: Restaurant server/host
"[I’m living here for the summer, and] I wanted to stay in Chicago, but my friends and family want me to go back home and finish school there."
Name: Andy Mills
Age: 22
Hometown: Louisville, IL
Occupation: Student
"I chose to move tomorrow to study monasticism to become a monk of sorts. [I’ll lead a] life trying to love people, but I have to compromise lot of things like ashower."
Name: Anna Bryant
Age: 20
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Occupation: Hostess
"I had compromise my sleep to take my sister to the train station at 7 A.M. yesterday."
Name: Liz Janney, Courtney Bolender
Age: 25, 28
Hometown: Cincinnati
Occupation: Foreclosure
Liz: "You give me $5,000, I'll let you keep your house." / Courtney: "Compromising school for money. I’ve continued school, but very slowly."
