[CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, October 3—]
This past Thursday, I saw one of my favorite up-and-coming artists: Mk.gee, a living legend and musical wizard. Known for his ethereal soundscapes and insane guitar riffs, Mk.gee made Chicago fall under his spell.
Before the show, I decided to scope out The Vic, the venue hosting Mk.gee, and stroll around the area to let my excitement grow. I took some photos, got a coffee, and started to linger around. Standing at the corner of Sheffield and Belmont, I noticed a man walking toward me—casually dressed in a “Monster Jam” graphic tee, basketball shorts, and a pair of Apple Airmaxes.
I didn’t think much of it at first, but as he got closer, something clicked. His effortless stride, the unassuming confidence—this had to be Michael Gordon, aka Mk.gee. I couldn’t believe my eyes. We locked gazes, and for a moment, disbelief and awe left me frozen. I thought there’s no chance that’s him, caught in the surrealness of it all.
Before I could stop myself, I mouthed, “Mike… Mk.gee?” He noticed and crossed the street toward me like it was the most natural thing in the world. I had known about his calm and zen demeanor, so when he approached me, I tried to lock in the same energy. He had this effortless coolness, and I didn’t want to come off too frantic or starstruck.
I told him I was pumped for the show, keeping it casual but genuine. He listened, totally chill, and I could tell he appreciated it. Then, he reached out to shake my hand, and I took it—simple, but it felt huge. He sincerely thanked me for the support, and I felt like I could die happily.
The atmosphere inside the venue was incredibly chill—no rushing, no pushing. The audience was filled with friendly faces, all excited but relaxed, creating the perfect vibe for what was to come. As the lights dimmed, Mk.gee emerged on stage, backlit by a single light, opening with “Dream Police.” His euphoric presence set the tone for an unforgettable evening.
Throughout the night, he played a collection of songs from his latest album, “Two Star and The Dream Police,” as well as his latest single, “Lonely Flight,” and “CZ” from his 2020 album “A Museum of Contradiction.” His stage presence was magnetic—almost indescribable. The way he paired his dreamy lyrics with guitar riffs that seemed to have their own voice made the entire performance feel like a shared experience between the audience and his music.
A standout moment was when he played his most hype track, “DNM,” which has become notorious for being played multiple times at his shows. This performance was no exception—as he played it five times. At one point, Mk.gee picked up the mic stand, grinning, and said, “Whatever you guys want, let’s run it!” before running around the stage and beginning the song again, entirely in sync with the crowd’s energy.
The set was a solid 90 minutes of music that felt intimate yet expansive. After a brief “exit,” Mk.gee returned for an encore that became the night’s highlight. He played four songs in the encore, including another replay of “DNM” and a second round of my favorite, “Candy.” He also played one of his biggest hits, “Alesis,” twice back-to-back, which had the crowd buzzing. Closing his set, he covered Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On,” a song that surprisingly fit the night’s tone.
The combination of Mk.gee’s celestial presence, the magnetic energy he brought to the stage, and the overall vibe of the crowd created something exceptional. It wasn’t just about the music but the shared connection and the immersive atmosphere that made the performance feel unforgettable. Mk.gee’s music possesses a unique ability to transport listeners to an otherworldly realm, and the experience at The Vic is one I will cherish for a long time.
