Liz Phair Wants You to Fact-Check Your Reviews

The singer-songwriter took issue with the Chicago Tribune incorrectly describing her show as "nearly sold out"

Photo: Eszter+David

BY Megan LaPierrePublished Nov 21, 2023

Liz Phair is currently celebrating 30 years since the release of her inimitable album, Exile in Guyville, on an anniversary tour of the US, which came through the singer-songwriter's hometown of Chicago on Saturday (November 18).

The performance was given a glowing review by Bob Gendron for the Chicago Tribune — but Phair objected to a detail in his writeup, which described the Chicago Theatre as "nearly sold out."

According to the artist, the show was sold out. For months in advance, actually. And she has receipts!

Phair took to Instagram to set the record straight, writing [via Stereogum], "It's so important for Chicago to have a newspaper of integrity, that reports the news honestly and accurately. I'm thrilled that your reviewer enjoyed our show! I am, however, worried about the four bodily humours of your editorial desk. I fear it has been bemused by its own headlines."

She continued, "This can be a busy time of year, and I know you wouldn't want to deliberately tarnish my accomplishment after years of The Chicago Trib's fulsome and unwavering support of my career. Subscribers will be surprised to learn that my Chicago Theatre show has been SOLD OUT for months. Months, dear Trib. We have the end-of-night settlement receipts to prove it."

This has since been deleted and/or expired the way Instagram Stories do, but Phair still has a grid post — apparently posted before the statement — up with a screenshot of the review, edited to thank the publication for correcting their mistake, which you can see below.

Remember the singer-songwriter's reverence for fact-checking the next time a guy on a dating app claims to be 6'1".
 
 

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