Paolo came back his holiday last Wednesday to find a nice full week ahead of him. First up, we travelled to Chicago and on Thursday had to be ready for 5.45am for WGN Morning News so that Paolo and the band could play ‘Last Request’ – the good thing about a call time as early as this is we all usually get to finish early to relax a bit.
Paolo had a quick lie down before heading to Urban Outfitters for a bit of retail therapy- he bought ‘The Dangerous Book for Boys’ which we’ve all had to endure for a week on the road now and he’s showing no signs of curbing his need to inform everybody on a whole host of completely useless information, anybody like to know how to make a battery using just coins? No? I don’t blame you! Later on the same day we were due to play at a charity opening party for Lollapalooza. It was a good gig for the boys to play as it was on the Adidas stage, the same stage they were due to play the coming Sunday at the festival so they got to have a bit of a rehearsal as well as get a feel for the park layout.
It was a bit of a strange one as well – because it was a charity event it was all seated, but in the middle of a park with waitresses serving canapés and cocktails. By the time Paolo got to ‘Funky Cigarette’ everybody seemed to have forgotten where they were and were up and dancing, so it worked out fine in the end, and we helped raise some money for the parkways foundation while we were at it!
On Friday it was up early again to fly to Atlantic City where the band were doing a show in a casino. We very nearly missed our flight as the ever punctual Mr Nutini couldn’t get out of his bed in time but thankfully Caron (the tour manager) was able to sweet talk the lovely boys at check-in, so Paolo was off the hook! After we arrived the rest of the day was spent setting up and soundchecking. After the gig most of the band went off to try their luck in the casino, Michael was doing pretty well - at one point he was up nearly $300 - but his winning streak came to an abrupt end and he lost it all at the roulette table. Whilst everybody else was living it up downstairs, Paolo was tucked up in his hotel room with his herbal tea (probably reading that damn book again!) after being informed that if he was caught anywhere on the casino floor or in any of the bars he would be issued with a hefty fine as he’s still 20... how Rock and Roll!
Paolo was looking particularly fresh faced on Saturday after his early night. Good thing as well as we had a 3 hour drive in front of us to Baltimore where V festival was being held. When we got there the heat was unbearable at nearly 39 degrees but fortunately the organisers had provided a nice air conditioned tent for the artists which had drinks, food, a DJ and games, trying to tear Paolo away from ‘Guitar Hero’ to go do some promo was a task in itself!
There were the initial few teething problems you tend to get with the sound at these big festivals, mainly because the band don’t get a chance to sound check but after that everything went smoothly. How the fans had the energy to jump around in that kind of heat I don’t know, but they were certainly giving the security a run for their money trying to jump the barrier and all sorts! Johnny Marr was playing with Modest Mouse and came to watch the end of the set from the side of the stage with his son Nile, Paolo has met up with him a few times now, but unfortunately there was no time to stay and chat as we had another flight to catch back to Chicago straight after the set.
We managed to get a lie-in the next day as Paolo and the band didn’t need to be at Lollapalooza until noon. When we got there everybody was in unusually good spirits - probably due to getting more than 5 hours sleep for the first time that week, after getting the day's promo quota out of the way early Paolo managed to see Rodrigo and Gabriella as well as Amy Winehouse, all of whom who he thought were all on top form, Paolo was particularly impressed with Amy Winehouse’s band, who he said were really tight. I think he’s looking forward touring with her in September now after seeing how good she is live despite the hassle she gets in the media.
After Paolo’s set he was soaked through and had forgotten to bring a change of clothes, but he still went to catch the end of the Kings of Leon before heading off to blag some clothes to change into. He managed to get two T-shirts, sunglasses, a zipper, denims, a bag and a new pair of trainers - not bad for a day's work. Newly kitted out, Paolo headed round to the ‘Boom Boom’ VIP area backstage where he caught up with some guys from the record company over a drink (soft of course!) and found himself standing next to the legend that is Lance Armstrong!
After watching Pearl Jam everybody piled on the bus and headed back to the hotel before they had the epic 8-hour flight home the next morning, nobody was complaining too much as they’re getting a few days off before the Ripcurl festival on Saturday to get over the jet-lag and have a rest.