Allstate Arena

Chicagoans have always referred to their local arenas and baseball fields in reverential terms. Chicago Stadium was the lady on West Madison Street, home to Bobby Hull and Michael Jordan. Old Comiskey Park was the "Baseball Palace of the World," providing the South Side with Disco Demolition Night and Andy the Clown. And Wrigley Field is spoken of in such cuddly, sugary tones that it hardly matters which players are on the Friendly Confines' diamond (well, let's not go that far).

However, when it comes to the Rosemont Horizon (which was renamed the Allstate Arena in June 1999), Chicagoans view it as the annoying, monotonous relative whom they are forced to endure at family functions. The Allstate Arena is breathtakingly unremarkable, sitting in the middle of a huge parking lot with a backdrop of weathered apartment complexes. The structure is a pale gray slab of concrete with navy trim. Jets come perilously close to the it's roof on their descent into nearby O'Hare International Airport, providing the only interesting visual effect.

What the Allstate Arena has in its favor is a rich history of hosting some of rock's biggest attractions. Before the United Center and World Music Theatre were built, it was basically the only venue around for major acts to play, particularly during cold-weather months. The Who, Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen and the Grateful Dead are a few of the classic rock artists who have appeared there. Allstate Arena has also hosted many modern rock performers including REM, Peter Gabriel, U2, Smashing Pumpkins and Oasis.

Unfortunately, a great band can become maddeningly average in the sterile setting of Allstate Arena. Generally, the acoustics are horrendous; the drums and bass tend to ricochet off of the walls, drowning out guitars and vocals in the process. At times the music sounds like it is coming through a neighbor's apartment floor rather than the stage. The quality of sound obviously