The Chicagoist will be launching later but in the meantime please enjoy our archives.

PHOTOS: Peaches And Amanda Blank At Metro

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 23, 2009 7:00PM

While we prefer both Peaches and Amanda Blank's recorded output in bite-sized chunks we consider both women to be formidable life performers to be wholly appreciated. We've seen Blank perform with Spank Rock a number of times and her spirited presence often stole the stage from her band mates. Friday night's show at The Metro had Blank performing with only a DJ and a live drummer, but her diminutive figure grew to envelop the entire room as she spat out gleeful sing-song raps and danced around the stage with abandon. Songs we found weak on her debut came to life on the stage, their worth inflated by her delivery. While Blank's performance was a pop pleasure, Peaches' set was a tour de force, a theatrical overdose that came across that even though it was centered on DIY stage sets put extravaganzas by Cher or any given stadium rock flavor of the month to shame. Multiple costume changes, energetic song delivery that only increased in intensity as the set moved forward, and a brutal command of mesmerizing sexuality came together to create one of the most compelling live shows we've seen all year. Also, there's nothing more rewarding than realizing her reach is growing with time as we noticed we were surrounded by yuppies happily singing along to her most popular track, "Fuck The Pain Away." Awesome.

[View the full Flickr set]