Phoenix Cut Set Short in Chicago

As part of Chicago local radio station XRT's Big Holiday Show with headliner the Flaming Lips, Phoenix were set to dazzle the crowd at All State Arena Friday night with chestnuts from their acclaimed record, 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix', when the station's spokesperson gave the crowd some disappointing news: Phoenix's touring drummer, Thomas Hedlund, had a family emergency and would not be in attendance for the show.

Because of this last minute snafu, Phoenix opted to play a brief acoustic show without him instead. The crowd appeared crestfallen and confused, but the alternative would have been no show at all. The four-piece lined up on the bare bones stage and played four stripped down songs before abruptly ending their set.

Lead singer Thomas Mars profusely apologized to the attendees, some of whom booed, and assured them they were receiving something special.

Despite performing in a mid-sized stadium, the minimalistic show worked to the band's advantage giving their songs a more intimate feel. They opened with a pretty and downtempo version of 'Lisztomania,' then followed it with 'One Time Too Many' from 'Wolfgang' predecessor 'It's Never Been Like That.' A subdued version of breakthrough song 'Everything is Everything' -- the complete antithesis of the original -- featured Mars singing alone with just one guitarist by his side. The song was so quiet the crowd could be heard chatting over it.

Phoenix ended their all too brief yet memorable set on the ubiquitous '1901' and engaged the crowd long enough for them to shout out the lyrics to the chorus.

It remains unclear if the emergency will affect any of Phoenix's upcoming shows, but we send best wishes their way.