Nick & Knight Chicago Review 9/26/14

A Brief Intro

A week before the shows, I had to go to the emergency room for severe stomach pain and they wanted to admit me into the hospital, but because of not having health insurance through my employer and the thought of missing the shows I refused. I ended up getting some antibiotics for my inflamed colon and put myself on a bland diet. They diagnosed me with Crohn's Disease (not contagious), but I'm not sure if that is the correct diagnosis. I blame my stomach issues on having a lot of stress in my life, but I want to address it so I’ll be seeing a specialist tomorrow. Hopefully, I’ll be getting health insurance through my employer in January like promised and that tomorrow I'll get some answers. I want to not worry about having stomach pain on the cruise.

So the emergency room visit happened a week before the Chicago Nick & Knight shows and then right after the shows, my mom had to be back in the hospital for breathing troubles. I was able to pick her up yesterday, but she is still having trouble breathing due to respiratory failure. I pray that this will stop happening over and over again because it's just too much and I wish the doctors could help her more even though I'm grateful for all they've done so far.

Well, I’ve been so busy with work, my mom’s health, my health, getting ready for the cruise, and just life in general that I haven’t been able to write my reviews on the Chicago Nick & Knight shows…until now!

Day 1: Getting to the Show

So for the first Chicago Nick & Knight show, I was lucky enough to win vip through Nick’s fanclub and I invited my best friend I met in college, Katie. So glad she was able to come and we had a blast! It was nice to be able to have someone to talk to and live the moment with and now she fully understands why I’m a fan. Before this concert, she attended the teen heartthrob Oprah taping with BSB and the first In A World Like This concert in Chicago with me so this was her first ever VIP.

Anyway, I picked her up, drove us to the train station, and we took the train into Chicago. Once we got to Union Station, we bought our train tickets for the train ride back and then started looking for the water taxi that my friend wanted to really take. Despite being nervous that we’d miss vip, we enjoyed a three minute water taxi for $3 each and arrived at the House of Blues around 4 p.m. Below is a picture of the Chicago skyline from our water taxi and a dorky picture of me in my glasses on the water taxi trying not too seem worried that we would miss vip lol. (Not sure if my friend wants pictures of her up yet, so I won't post them).

They had two separate lines for Jordan's vip and Nick’s vip and my friend and I were in the front of the line. I was surprised because I remember for the I’m Taking Off vip, I got to the House of Blues around 2:30 p.m. and there was already maybe 20 to 30 people in line. Jordan’s vip line was longer and that was fine by me. I was told Nick had 20 people for vip total and that made me happy because more time with Nick. Although, I'm totally confused on why you would like Jordan over Nick lol. To each their own.

We didn’t eat anything yet and I didn’t want to leave the venue, so I reluctantly suggested eating at the House of Blues restaurant. I knew they take a really long time (during the Now or Never tour, I ordered room service during my hotel stay and literally got my hamburger five hours after I ordered it) and we only had a half an hour to kill but I didn’t want to starve my friend either lol. We ended up sitting at the bar because the hostess said that is faster. Well, that was a joke. We ended up leaving because I was getting so nervous that I couldn’t take it anymore. I wasn’t going to miss this vip for anything, certainly not because of the restaurant. We got some water out of it and got back in line. The bartender didn’t even take our food order during that time. My friend ended up getting some food after the question and answer session during vip so that worked out. I didn’t eat anything and was okay with that because I was worried my stomach might still be having problems since the ER visit.

VIP

When it was time for vip, we were given our vip laminates and taken up the stairs and to a back area where Justin explained what was going to happen. This was nice because it gave us an idea of what to expect and nice for Nick too so we won’t waste any time not knowing what’s going on. We would be getting one item signed, a selfie, and the picture Justin would take. We also got some Nick tattoos, and an I Heart Nick Carter tank top during this time. At this point I was getting really excited!

Nick came out fairly quick, looking great (as always) in black and talked a little bit about what was going to happen during vip and the Nick & Knight show. He gave everyone a hug! It was so nice to be able to be in the same room just kind of hanging out with him that I didn’t bother to take any video/pictures of this. I wanted to be in the moment. My friend was nice enough to take a few pictures and video.

We also had the plan for her to take video while I was going up to Nick for my picture, but I was worried she would have no time for that. She did a great job despite the time crunch and I’m glad she didn’t listen to me when I told her to abort lol, but I wanted to make sure she enjoyed her time as well.

I don’t remember too many of the questions asked because I wanted to make sure I got my questions out correctly, but I was able to ask two questions! I had made out a list and picked two to ask the day before. My first question was what songs he likes to use for djing. He answered by saying that he likes Meghan Trainor (which I like her music too, but "Dear Future Husband" is a better song than her hit "All About that Bass") and he mentioned Iggy I think too.

Nick asked again if we had any more questions and since no one else was saying anything, I asked another one. I could tell this question most of the group enjoyed hearing whereas the first question I asked was kind of like for me because I like his dj skills lol.

For my second question, I asked what he plans on wearing for the ABC (Anything But Clothes) Party on the cruise. Nick laughed (kind of my goal to get him to smile and laugh) and the group laughed at the idea of what his answer would be. My friend was kind enough to film most of this moment, as well as Nick singing "I Need You Tonight." But back to the answer. First he asked me what I would be wearing lol and I said I have some ideas. Then he answered.

DISCLAIMER: Don’t read if you don’t want to know what Nick possibly will be wearing for the ABC party…to read, just highlight the next paragraph.

Nick said that they want him to wear a pizza box! LOL I laughed and said "that’s awesome" (which btw, seemed to be my word of choice for the evening…ask my friend who is awesome lol). Kind of wondering who is "they?" Management or the other BSB and also if he’ll have another pizza box for his back side lol. I’m picturing him being able to open up the pizza box and there will be something funny written inside like "wanna slice?" Okay, my mind is running wild...lol

So after the questions, we started taking pictures. There was a mom who was with her daughter with special needs in front of me and Nick was very sweet with both of them. I remember her telling him he’s handsome and thinking, I know right! lol Then it was my turn!

I said hi and got hugs and had Nick sign my Nick & Knight album jacket since I wasn’t able to get one online because I waited too long. While he was signing, I told him that my favorite song is "Drive My Car" (hence why I made a sign specifically to hold up for this song) and then I gave him a letter I wrote him that had a heart made out of stone attached to it. I bought the heart before "I Heart Nick Carter" so I thought that was quite coincidental, but I’ve always "hearted" him so it made sense to me at the time. Some pictures...

Then we took our selfie. Nick’s face is somewhat cut off, and Justin was nice enough to take another selfie for us, but I really do like the selfie Nick took of us because it looks more like two people just hanging out. (That's really what I liked about this vip. It seemed like hanging out with a good friend...a good friend I would like to kiss lol!) So glad Justin took the extra selfie though.

I had been working up the courage to ask for a kiss and did! I was so scared Nick would say no, but Nick said "of course" and it was such a special moment to me. I think being in the ER thinking I was dying gave me the courage to ask and I'm glad I did. The first picture is of me with my eyes closed because I was feeling the love and the second picture that turned out perfect!

Nick was so nice and I truly love that about him! He said my necklace is pretty and I said thank you. I thought it was so sweet that he noticed my necklace because when I saw it in the store I had to buy it and based my whole outfit around the necklace lol. In my head I wanted to say it matched his beautiful eyes but didn’t have enough courage to say anything but the thank you.

Then it was my friend’s turn and I briefly introduced them before my friend got her picture and we both got by the stage to wait for the soundcheck. We ended up being towards the left side of the stage with one person in front of us. The Jordan vip fans got to the stage first, otherwise we probably could have been front row center. We still had great spots though.

Soundcheck

The soundcheck was fun and there were some funny moments. Nick and Jordan had to move some of their own equipment and Nick mentioned that he was wearing all black like a stagehand would and Jordan said that’s what keeps them grounded lol.

Speaking of Jordan, he kept complaining that his mic was too loud or not loud enough and about other things. After the soundcheck, I referred to him as a diva to my friend lol. I can tell Nick is definitely the more laid back one out of them and I bet the band favors Nick over Jordan for this reason lol. I had to be careful the following night to not let the Jordan fans hear me call him a diva lol. It was kind of humorous to watch though.

There was also a funny moment during soundcheck where Nick was singing "Nobody Better" and turned it into a country version. I like country music as well so that was a special treat to me to hear Nick sing with a country twang even though it was meant to be funny lol.

Yet another funny moment during soundcheck was when Nick was practicing some dance moves and we started wooing and I think we made him forget the steps lol. Overall, a fun soundcheck. Nick ended up leaving the soundcheck earlier than Jordan because he was ready to go and wasn't criticizing every little thing, but I still wanted him to stay.

The Show!

We had to wait all the way until 9 p.m. for Nick & Knight to come out and had to endure a stupid opening act that I still don’t know what the guy’s name was. He had a band and the music sounded too babyish to me, but I guess it could have been worse. He did sing a song from the Pretty Woman soundtrack but not the right song lol. I would have loved to have heard "It Must Have Been Love" or "Pretty Woman" instead of the song he picked. He mentioned that Richard Gere was in the audience and I guess that was supposed to be funny but it was just weird and my friend and I were looking for Richard Gere (yeah, I guess I'm that gullible lol). The following night, he mentioned Julia Roberts was in the audience lol. More standing...ugh! help!

After standing for so, so long and having a case of resting bitch face Nick & Knight finally came out!

This is such a fun show and definitely my kind of concert. I have fun at other concerts, but I love Nick’s shows! Glad they had a band, incorporated some dance moves in there, and kept it fun and sexy.

I think Nick did an excellent job of using all his talents into one show. His vocal abilities, rapping, dancing, guitar playing and charisma with the audience was all shown. He sang "Burning Up" and "Falling Down" from I’m Taking Off and "I Want It That Way" and "Larger Than Life" with Jordan. Of course I would have liked to have heard more solo songs from Nick’s albums and more BSB, but it still was a wonderful show! I enjoyed hearing all the Nick & Knight songs live too!

I really do think Nick makes the show because he just seems more passionate on stage to me than Jordan does, but I’m a Nick girl so of course I would say that lol. Jordan is definitely a diva though haha! I'm just giving him a hard time, but he still seems nice...just not as nice as Nick lol.

Other highlights from the show was when they did the nineties mix. For me, I think this was the most fun out of the whole concert! Nick is so sexy when he raps and I remember him saying at one of the two Chicago question and answer vips that he taught Aaron how to rap and he rapped first lol. My friend and I enjoyed "Getting Jiggy With It."

I also remember someone throwing up a thong during "Thong Song" which I thought was hilarious. Good for you, Nick lol. Then Nick gave it to Jordan.

And who can forget Nick getting sexy with the floor for "Pony"??? I think I screamed my head off during this one haha! Me and my big mouth. So much fun! I say see the show just for this moment haha!

When "Drive My Car" was sung, I held up my sign "vroom, vroom!" and was able to get Nick to notice my sign at the end of the song! He said, "yeah! Vroom, vroom!" lol. That was so much fun and the first time I was able to show Nick one of my signs.

Getting Back Home

We had such a great time with everything, but it was time to leave to get to the train station and take the last train back home. We had to walk about a block or two and we ended up finding a cab (who actually drove nice) and took that back to Union Station. We had about an hour to kill, so we were reminiscing and goofing around while waiting for our last train. The last picture shows how Nick makes me feel :D I look like a muppet...a very happy muppet! lol

I really wanted to go to the afterparty because I love when Nick djs, but we would have been stranded downtown all night and I didn’t want to do that to my friend after the bike taxi fiasco at the last BSB concert we both went to together. It would have been perfect though because it was only $25 to get into the Hard Rock Café for it. Oh well. I guess I can’t attend everything lol.

We made it back to our town and I dropped her off. We had so much fun and I think we even had more fun talking about the day lol. Me and my risqué comments and her "Oh, Denise" haha! We probably looked crazy in the train station but that was the fun part lol.

Thanks for reading! I wanted to write this review as quickly as I could, but life got in the way. Hopefully, I didn’t forget too much. I have the best times when I see Nick and this was such a memorable day! So many wonderful moments thanks to Nick's kindness and it was great to have my friend there. She says she gets it now lol! Finally!

I'll post my review of the second show soon. I definitely "heart" Nick :)