By: Ella Stucky
CHICAGO— As I entered the Old Town School of Folk Music, it felt like the physical embodiment of Florist’s tender music. I was greeted by a kind community of volunteers who share a love of music and use that to connect with the people around them. I saw both people my age and people who have lived full lives working together to get this show to run smoothly. The intimate venue consisted of church-like pews along with a balcony overlooking the stage. With a capacity of just 170 seats, I found that the nature of the space allowed for a transformative, cathartic experience.
The first act consisted of a solo performance by Allegra Krieger, a 45-minute set that entranced me. Her storytelling approach to songwriting created a unique experience that fully captivated every member of the audience. The crowd was silent, taken by the magic of just her voice and her guitar. The artistry of her sound reflects eerie note shifts and unique chords, abundant with accents. Folk music can tend to be repetitive of G and C chords played throughout an entire song, but Krieger’s approach to composing is creative, and completely her own. Like no songs I have heard before.
During the intermission between Kreiger and Florist, I got chatting with the man next to me. He lived in the area and told me he frequented Old Town School of Folk Music for the venue and community. We talked about the concerts he had seen here, my schooling, and our lives up until this point, and I feel that my conversation with him was a testament to the type of people that are coming to this venue and to the people who like Florist. It felt open and welcoming, which is how I feel about Florist’s music. It is soft and honest. Gently putting to words the scary feelings that everybody feels as they grow up.
Soon, the lights dimmed, and Florist quietly took the stage, walking on with cups of tea and wine. As they prepared to play their first song, Rick Spataro, keyboardist and bassist, played an ethereal piano piece, immediately washing the crowd over with calmness. Emily Sprague connected and tuned her Fender Duo-Sonic Electric Guitar, Jonnie Baker took his stance, half-turned away from the audience, which he maintained the rest of the show, and Felix Walworth started messing around with a synth hidden behind his drum set. Sprague checked in with the crowd, asking if we were okay, before starting their set. Throughout the set, Walworth played electronic noises that juxtaposed the soft sounds of the stripped back guitar.
Sprague introduced “Red Bird Pt.2 (Morning)” as a song that encapsulates the feeling of coming to a familiar place after growing up, and how the feelings of impermanence and nostalgia blend when revisiting memories. When introducing “The Fear of Losing This,” Sprague commented on how writing this song allowed her to process and experience the feelings of time moving on and things changing, grieving what once was.
Overall, this show made me feel at home. Their words pierced me through the dark room, shining a light onto the feelings I couldn’t quite yet put words to. Both Kreiger and Florist were gentle, happy to be sharing their music with the audience and the audience was happy to listen, making for a great show. Someone give them some flowers.
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