Every year, starting in 2002, Chicago alt-rockers Kill Hannah have treated fans to a Christmas concert known as New Heart for Christmas (also the title of one of their songs). As the years have passed, the concert has grown into a weekend extravaganza and pilgrimage for fans from around the globe.
What should have been New Heart for Christmas 8 in 2010 was canceled due to singer Mat Devine’s run with Broadway’s Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark, guitarist Michael Maddox joining the touring cast of Rock of Ages and drummer Elias Mallin’s commitment to play on tour with his good friend Ke$ha. The logistics of getting back together for the New Heart for Christmas weekend were simply too much to make work. Both fans and the boys of the band were devastated by the announcement but it was simply not possible.
New Heart for Christmas 2011 was announced in August, earlier than is the norm for this event, and the news just keeps getting bigger. Not only does the very limited number of VIP passes (of which the first sale sold out in approximately 45 minutes) include the big December 17th show at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago, but pass holders will also be included in a “Storytellers” style show on the 16th and a taping for the band’s upcoming third DVD release, which will be held at Chicago’s JBTV studios.
But that’s not all. The setlist for the main show on Saturday is to be chosen entirely by the fans. The band has listed their catalog of songs on their Facebook page, allowing their fans to choose which songs they want to hear the most. Voting will continue until December 1st.
This reporter is one fan who is not letting anything stand in the way of her pilgrimage. I will be there with bells on (since it is a Christmas show, that might have been literal, we’ll have to wait and see). My readers should definitely expect to see a review when it is all said and done.