Ryan Adams

Ryan Adams stopped by Schubas for two fantastic shows on September 22nd and 23rd of 2000. Touring in support of his acclaimed solo debut Heartbreaker, Ryan left an impression none in attendance would soon forget.

During his first set, he played his songs "Gimme Sunshine" and "Idiots Rule The World" for the first time ever in front of an audience. Ryan later revealed that the songs had been written during sound check that very day. The next night, audience member Brent Stewart got up close and personal with the de facto leader of modern alternative country when Ryan pulled him up on stage during the encore to sing "Avenues". Yet another brand new song was debuted on the 23rd, with Ryan commenting "I've never played this song for anybody before. I'm gonna try it, I might fuck it up. It's called "The Rescue Blues."

Mary Houlihan of the Chicago Sun Times reviewed Ryan's first night with us, praising "a perfectly modulated show. Adams stunned the sold-out crowd into a trancelike silence... A prolific songwriter, he also offered a handful of new songs, including one he claimed to have written during the sound check earlier that evening.

Alone on the dimly lit stage and shrouded in a cloud of cigarette smoke, he infused his always amazing vocal style with a soulfulness that perfectly captured the heart-broken ache of his love songs. He bantered easily with the appreciative crowd and several times offered a simple "thanks for clapping."" Thanks for playing, Ryan. Thanks a lot.