Still Not Ready to Make Nice (And I Kinda Like It)

On a perfect early fall evening, under the stars at Merriweather Post Pavilion, The Chicks made a triumphant return to live music in the DMV. And I was thrilled to be there.

The ladies (Natalie Maines, Emily Strayer and Martie Maguire) balanced the 22-song set with both old and new tracks that had the audience singing to every word, all the while weaving in multimedia touches with projected images and Monty Python-like videos. The messages included women’s issues, gun deaths and even some of the nation’s most divisive politicians.

Tearing off the band-aid right at the start, The Chicks opened with the title track off their latest studio album, the blistering “Gaslighter”. They quickly dipped back in time to the 1999 boot-kickin’ classic “Sin Wagon” which was a real crowd favorite.

Later, one of my favorites, “The Long Way Around” seemed very appropriate. The lyrics “I’ve always found my way somehow. By taking the long way around” touches on the perseverance of The Chicks. Coming back from country music and part of the nation giving up on them.

The power that the trio cast over the adoring crowd was beautiful. You can knock them down, but they’ll get back up and keep on going. Girl Power indeed. I saw girlfriends singing together, moms and daughters dancing and smiling all night.

Speaking of powerful, the track “Sleep At Night” soared through the amphitheater and washed over the crowd packed on the lawn. Maines belted the lyrics (a song about her ex-husband) while throwing her middle fingers sky high.

While Maines is certainly the leader and the most prominent on stage, don’t lose sight of the talent of Maguire and Strayer, two incredible musicians. Their playing gets better with age and their harmonizing, especially on songs like the chilling “Travelin’ Soldier” help make this band who they are.

You want chills? Just listen to the band, and maybe more importantly the crowd, sing along to “Wide Open Space”. An open letter to any young female - one that inspires the possibilities that have yet to be discovered.

They threw in some pretty cool covers during the acoustic set - “Rainbowland” by Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton and “Don’t Let Me Die in Florida” by Patty Griffin.

Afterward came one of the most moving parts of the night. While flashing the names of those killed due to gun violence, the band stoically stood tall, delivering the powerful “March March”.

Closing out the show, just in time for Merriweather’s curfew, were two of their most popular songs. “Not Ready to Make Nice” and “Goodbye Earl”.

Never backing down while also never wavering from giving the fans what they want - an entertaining and inspirational show. This was one I’ll never forget.

Here's a playlist of their setlist.