By: Riley Moulton
CHICAGO– Under the dim glow of stage lights and backed by the gentle hum of her guitar, Martha Wainwright poured her heart out to an intimate crowd at Schubas on Friday night. Wainwright had just turned 49 the day prior but you would think she was just as alive as she was when she released her self-titled album, 20 years prior. On a spring Friday night, the Montreal native delivered a performance that was as vulnerable as it was electrifying.
With her signature raspy vocals, unfiltered storytelling, occasional gibberish sounds, and magnetic stage presence, Wainwright reminded longtime fans and newcomers alike why she remains one of indie folk’s most captivating voices.
Canadian singer-songwriter Haley Blais opened the show. As a fan of Blais, seeing their raw, stripped acoustic performances was the perfect teaser to what Wainwright would bring. Blais played songs off of their second studio album “Wisecrack” while simultaneously captivating the crowd with their smooth vocals. They jokingly warned the crowd before playing an extra intimate and slowed version of Concrete by saying “it’s time to mosh.”
Blais followed up with an unreleased track, filled with witty, offbeat lyrics that had the crowd laughing and leaning in closer. They closed their set in true Blais fashion, with the unapologetically bold “Coolest F*cking B*tch In Town.” As the audience shouted the lyrics back with pride and laughter, an undeniable sense of connection filled the room. Blais’ set was a shared moment of unfiltered joy and empowerment.
Wainwright’s set then opened up with “Far Away,” a haunting favorite from her 2005 album “Martha Wainwright.” From the very first note, the crowd experienced every emotion one could imagine for a Friday night. They cheered, fell into a hush, then waves of nostalgia and happiness that their beloved songs were being brought back to life. The crowd let the raw emotion of her lyrics take center stage. Wainwright followed with “G.P.T” and “These Flowers” which speaks to renewal after heartbreak, a recurring theme throughout the night.
One of my biggest takeaways from her set was just how real she was. It was like she was simply having a conversation with all 350 individuals in the venue that night. Wainwright performed like you were watching someone read from a diary, but with a melody. In between songs, Wainwright shared personal stories with the crowd. At times self-deprecating, at times reflective, which drew laughter and audible sighs. She shared how her songs would take on a new meaning, 20 years later. This proved to be true with the emotional depth in the lyrics of “When The Day Is Short.”
Wainwright even spent a portion of the show reading from her own published book “Stories I Might Regret Telling You.”
“A lot of lawyers looked at this.” Said Wainwright. She read the book, adding an emotional feel with the pages. She shortly went into a song where she reminisced on being on acid, “This Life.”
Wainwright closed the main show with “Factory.” She returned for a one-song encore, with the defiant “Bloody Mother F*cking A*shole,” a fan-favorite anthem that earned lots of screamed lyrics throughout Schubas. After her set, she encouraged fans to say hello after the show, creating community and connections with individuals at the event.
Her performance wasn’t just a concert, it was a confessional, a celebration, a reckoning, and a gift. In a world where vulnerability often feels like a risk, Wainwright reminded us that it can also be a superpower. Whether she was flipping through the pages of her memoir or belting out lyrics that have defined decades of her career, she made one thing certain. Her voice. Raw, unapologetic, and deeply human.
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