Just got back from Chicago yesterday, Night 1 was as awesome as you describe it, with the minor hiccups here and there, which were noted but didn't really derail the show for me. Being able to hear the crowd sing along with Ripple was pretty amazing. Kudos to the architects/designers responsible for the renovations to Soldier Field, I heard about some knots of tangled people leaving the venue, but for our group, it was way easier getting in and out than it was 20 years ago.