When The Chicks took the stage for their The Chicks’ ‘Taking the Long Way’ 20th anniversary shows, Natalie Maines did something she rarely does: she talked. According to a review by Chris Willman, Maines is not known for long between-song speeches, which makes her 2003 remark about George W. Bush stand out even more. That moment, now referred to as “the Incident,” became a defining point in the band’s history, and it resurfaced during these anniversary concerts.
A Rare Voice on Stage
The review notes that Maines has always been more about quality than quantity when it comes to concert banter. Her comment about being ashamed to share a home state with the then-president was, in Willman’s assessment, an anomaly rather than a sign that she or her bandmates would regularly deliver lengthy speeches. That context makes the anniversary shows notable, as Maines revisited the fallout and drew a comparison between Bush and Donald Trump.
Looking Back at 'the Incident'
During the performances, Maines recalled the 2003 controversy, which had lasting repercussions for the group. The review frames the moment as a key part of the band’s story, one that still resonates two decades later. By bringing it up during the Taking the Long Way anniversary shows, Maines and her bandmates acknowledged how that single statement changed their trajectory and connected it to the current political climate.
From Bush to Trump
Willman’s review highlights that Maines compared Bush to Trump during the shows, linking the two presidents in her remarks. The parallel suggests that the band sees continuity between the political divisions of the early 2000s and those of today. The review does not detail the exact wording of Maines’s comments, but it makes clear that the comparison was part of the evening’s reflection on the past and its relevance to the present.
A Milestone Anniversary
The Taking the Long Way 20th anniversary shows serve as both a celebration of the album and a look back at the band’s history. The review captures how Maines and her bandmates used the occasion to revisit “the Incident” and its aftermath, offering audiences a chance to hear the music alongside the stories that shaped it. For a group that has rarely leaned on lengthy stage banter, the moments of reflection stood out as much as the songs themselves.
The review, written by Chris Willman, underscores that Maines remains a figure who speaks selectively but meaningfully. Her willingness to address the past during these anniversary concerts gave the performances a layer of context that went beyond the setlist, tying the band’s history to the political conversations of the present day.
