Tag: live music

In Defense of Nostalgia-Bait Festivals

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There seem to be very few certainties in life: death, taxes, and 12-year-old My Chemical Romance fans. Once a 12-year-old My Chemical Romance fan myself, I can attest that there is just something about that band that speaks to kids at that age who are learning how to navigate adult emotions and need something to latch onto. Even during the six years the band split up, they maintained that hold on the youth. My Chemical Romance meant a lot to me at that age, in a way that I don’t know if I could ever fully articulate. Now a 22-year-old My Chemical Romance fan (with a bit of disposable income), I jumped at the opportunity to see My Chemical Romance co-headline a festival with another band that shaped me as a person, Chicago’s very own Fall Out Boy.

When We Were Young Fest is a Las Vegas nostalgia-based festival, specifically featuring emo, alternative, and pop-punk acts from the 90s-2010s, with past headliners including Paramore, Blink-182, and Green Day. For their 2024 festival, they introduced a theme of full-album playthroughs of some of the scene’s most iconic records, including hits such as Cobra Starship (in their first shows in ten years) playing Viva La Cobra!, Neck Deep playing Life’s Not Out To Get You, Pierce The Veil playing Colide With The Sky (complete with a Kellin Quinn appearance during King For A Day), and of course, My Chemical Romance playing The Black Parade in full for the first time since 2007. Let me take you through my day at the fest, and my thoughts on seeing bands that have been so important to me live.

I made a point to first see Neck Deep play their 2015 album Life’s Not Out To Get You, in my opinion the quintessential 2010-era pop-punk album. I loved this album in middle school, and I love it more now, so seeing it played live in full (mostly) was a must for me. Neck Deep does not miss, and they honestly sound better live than they do recorded. Particular highlights were “Citizens of Earth”, “Kali Ma”, and my personal favorite, “Gold Steps”. Seeing “Gold Steps” live was healing and cathartic for me, as a relentlessly hopeful song that never fails to comfort whatever anxieties I have about my life.

The next two sets I saw were bands that I admit I only know the hits from, but man did they deliver on them. Despite being on a side stage, We The Kings had one of the loudest crowds of the day during their hit “Check Yes, Juliet”. Lots of bands would shy away from that one-hit label, but We The Kings owned it and used it to their advantage and honestly made me decide to check out the full album. Next up was 3oh!3, who came highly recommended by several people, and I was honestly blown away. The whole set felt like a huge party; pure unrelenting fun as no one took themselves seriously (if that’s even possible at a 3oh!3 set). “DONTTRUSTME” live is a life-changing experience, if you can excuse the misogyny. 

My next must-see set was Cobra Starship, a band no one has thought about since 2012. Cobra Starship has been completely inactive for a decade (thirteen-year-old me was inconsolable when they broke up), so when I saw them on the lineup playing their 2007 album ¡Viva la Cobra! I knew I had to be there. Cobra’s set included an airline theme and incredible vibes as well as my first moshpit of the day. I did not expect to two-step to Cobra Starship, but I heard the intro to “Pete Wentz is The Only Reason We’re Famous” and became a woman possessed. When introducing the song “Kiss My Sass” frontman Gabe Saporta called a special guest to the stage, the producer of ¡Viva La Cobra!, Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy. Stump tore it up onstage six hours before his own headlining set. The best part of the set, other than “Guilty Pleasure”, was my friend Emily, whom I dragged to this set against her will, turning to me mid-set to tell me that she “got it”. Fangs up, baby!

After a break, we made our way to the mainstages to stake out our spots for the rest of the night, seeing The Used, Pierce The Veil, Jimmy Eat World, A Day To Remember, Fall Out Boy, and My Chemical Romance. I don’t have much to say about The Used because I don’t know much about them as a band, but I enjoyed their set. Pierce The Veil playing Colide With The Sky was a must-see for my friend Emily, who accompanied me to the fest. I will admit that Pierce The Veil is not my cup of tea, but they put on a great show and I could tell that for their fans this was a very special show and this album means a lot to them which made the energy in the crowd infectious. “King For A Day” with Kellin Quinn of Sleeping With Sirens appearing for his parts was a particular highlight of the set.

Bleed American by Jimmy Eat World is an album that I think everyone should listen to in full at least once because it is just such a masterfully done album all around, although it gets overshadowed by the biggest song on the album, (which is bigger than Jimmy Eat World as a band) “The Middle”. Most bands doing album play-throughs didn’t play them in order, instead opting to put their biggest songs at the end to finish their set on a high note. Jimmy Eat World elected to honor the original track list and play the set in order, a particularly bold choice because all of the big hits off of that album are in the front half, leaving deep cuts to close the set. For example, the third song in the set, “The Middle”, has over 1 billion streams, while the set closer, “My Sundown”, only has 6 million streams. I really liked that they played in order, as I feel this represented the album in its truest form.

Pictured: A Day To Remember

The next band up had been one I had been kind of dreading all day, A Day To Remember. I did not expect to enjoy the set, not a big fan of ADTR, but, since they were one of my friend Emily’s biggest must-sees, I sucked it up (also I owed her one after forcing her to see Cobra Starship). We met up with a group of her brother’s friends who took her to see ADTR when she was younger for what she described as a full circle moment. Seeing ADTR play their 2009 album Homesick completely changed my perception of them. Only familiar with their more hardcore-leaning songs, I was surprised at how melodic this album was, and seeing one of my best friends so excited to see this album, in particular, has convinced me that maybe the dudebro part of the scene has a point.

Pictured: Fall Out Boy, Photo by Emily Stipetic

On to the first Headliner of the night: Fall Out Boy. I am no stranger to Fall Out Boy–this was my sixth Fall Out Boy show–but they always deliver. They did not subscribe to the album play-through gimmick, instead opting for an eras tour-like set called Days Of Fall Out Past which had something for everyone. All of the big hits like “Sugar, We’re Goin Down”, “Centuries”, and “Thnks Fr Th Mmrs” had their time, but the set was padded with deep cuts for the die hards, such as “Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes”, “The Kids Aren’t Alright”, and” G.I.N.A.S.F.S.” which is a bonus track off of a seventeen year old album. Following the trend of special guests popping up during sets, Fall Out Boy brought Wiz Kahlifa out to perform his hit song “See You Again” which was something I don’t think anyone was expecting. Their set closed as every Fall Out Boy show has for the past twenty years: with the song “Saturday”, this time complete with fireworks.

Pictured: My Chemical Romance, Photo by Emily Stipetic
Closing out the night and my time at the festival, My Chemical Romance performed the first of only two shows of this year. Playing their 2006 album The Black Parade, they didn’t stray from the tracklist and I really think it was for the best. For those unfamiliar, The Black Parade is a rock opera/concept album following a man dying of cancer, known as The Patient, and follows his coping with dying, his death, and experiences in the afterlife, so the order of the songs is important to the story. Gerard Way is an incredible showman, and his crowd interaction was on point, blowing the crowd kisses and then demanding we bark before starting the track “House of Wolves”. This set was special for a few reasons, but particularly because it was the first time in over a decade that fan-favorite tracks “Dead!”, “The End.”, “The Sharpest Lives”, and “Disenchanted” have been performed live. “Disenchanted” is my absolute favorite song by My Chemical Romance song and it hadn’t been played at a single show out of seventy since the band reunited, so I wasn’t going to believe it until I saw it. It completely took my breath away, and suddenly, I was 12 again and The Black Parade was the greatest album in the world. I think many people are embarrassed by their 12-year-old self, but not me, and I am glad I took the pilgrimage for her sake. When We Were Young might be nostalgia bait, but nostalgia never hurt anyone.

Clairo Charms at The Salt Shed

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On October 16th, we witnessed Clairo shine a ray of light at The Salt Shed. While headed to the venue armed with our leather jackets, we were both more than eager for the night. As huge fans of Clairo in our adolescence, this show was a reckoning for our 2018 selves. Upon arrival, we quickly secured a good spot in the line and a great spot inside the venue, grateful that the show was split into two nights.

Opener Alice Phoebe Lou provided an excellent introduction to the show. Her warm, twangy vocals filled the room accompanied by an amazing live band. Early into her set, a mishap in the crowd disrupted the show, but Alice Phoebe Lou stopped playing and immediately addressed the situation. She made sure the person was okay and ensured that security could get to them quickly, demonstrating her exceptional care for her fans.

Despite the large venue, Clairo created an intimate set. It felt as if we were immersed in a studio session with a live band and a chill atmosphere. She consistently engaged with the audience and encouraged dancing. Her band transformed her setlist, enhancing songs from her previous albums with the groovy instrumentation of her Charm era. We were particularly excited by the addition of the flute and enamored by the stage design that emulated a vintage aesthetic along with Claire’s stunning outfit.

“Second Nature” stood out as one of the first highlights of the setlist with its acapella-style backing vocals and an enviable instrumental harmony from the live band. Another standout was “Bags,” which held a special meaning for both of us, bringing back memories of our youth. A less popular track from Charm, “Echo” was incredible to hear live, a hush fell over the crowd in a cinematic moment when the band ceased playing and the lights dimmed.  Though it was only for a moment it intrigued the crowd eliciting “ooo’s” and “ahhs.” Finally, “Juna,” a favorite of the Charm era, was absolutely beautiful to hear live. Audible excitement from the crowd made the performance even more special. Her show was outstanding from start to finish, and we highly recommend catching her on any stop of the Charm tour.

10:05 on 10/5: COIN’s Monumental Chicago Show

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CHICAGO | “I love Chicago, I really do,” COIN’s lead singer Chase Lawrence exclaimed to the crowd during their show at Aragon Ballroom on October 5. The Nashville indie-rock group stopped in the Windy City to tour their latest album, I’m Not Afraid of Music Anymore, released this past September. It was an incredibly special show for both the fans and the band as 10/5 is associated with the song, “Let It All Out (10:05)” from COIN’s 2020 album, Dreamland. Fans were in for quite a treat as the show was filled with lots of appreciation despite a major production difficulty.

Opening with songs from the new album, the band immediately gave it their all. Chicago fans know how to be an exciting, energetic crowd, which COIN quickly noticed and caught on. During the fifth song as the lights on their set came down, the lights on stage left and right lost control and started to go out of place, swinging across Lawrence and even hitting him gently. Despite this, the band continued into their next song, “Slack” until they had to exit for the crew to remove the lights, which took about 10 minutes. Fans anxiously awaited their return as we watched the crew run back and forth between the soundboard and the stage. The show must go on even when unexpected mistakes happen, and, after the lights were removed, COIN picked up right where they left off like nothing had happened.

Later in the night, Lawrence went into detail about his experiences writing “Let It All Out (10:05)”, written on the same day as the concert in 2018. Their favorite and most personal song, the band called 10:05 a “place” and a “feeling,” something that fans also connect with. Everyone in the crowd I could see sang their hearts out, some even holding each other and crying, because of the special day for the song. When the time turned 10:05, Lawrence shouted out with a huge smile, “It’s 10:05!”, to which I looked at my watch, noticed the time, and smiled along with him. I started to feel a deeper connection to the song that night as I started to understand the feeling of 10:05.

The night continued with songs from the newest album along with some classics. All in all, COIN delivered a unique performance filled with love and gratitude.

No Way to Relax When Dora Jar is Onstage

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CHICAGO | On Tuesday, October 1st, the wonderful, whimsical, and artistically-sound singer/songwriter Dora Jar returned to Chicago at Lincoln Hall just a few months after her main-stage performance at Lollapalooza. This was the third time I have had the pleasure of seeing her perform; the first time opening for The 1975 at Allstate Arena last year, and the second at the Bud Light stage at Lollapalooza, where I was able to meet her post-performance. Even so, this was the first headline show of Jar’s that I have attended, and my expectations were thoroughly exceeded. Artists rarely enter the scene already authentically themselves throughout their entire body of work. Yet, sure of herself and her sound, Jar flourishes standing before hundreds of people.

During this run of shows, Jar’s promotes her debut album, No Way To Relax When You Are On Fire, released a few weeks prior to the tour’s start. The tour’s title “Behind the Curtain,” comes from a song from her debut of the same name. The song’s chorus aptly states “Together behind the curtain / Pull the lever, lighten the burden / I’m ready for anything now,” which she certainly seems to be. By opening with this song, Jar gently eased the crowd into her avant-garde performance style. On stage, she appears somewhat akin to Lorde circa 2014; frolicking about, speaking to the audience like she is on the same level, making strange noises, and garnering crowd participation—which she happily welcomes. At one point she asked the crowd if they were pirates before leading into her fittingly named song “Cannonball,” meant to emulate the feeling of sailing on the sea. “There is a pirate inside of all of you – and this is for … that” she explained before stomping on the stage and strumming a complex guitar melody.

According to the Harvard Crimson, Jar drew inspiration from Cirque du Soleil shows to bring to her stage to life—a clash of lights, visuals, and dance. This vision, paired with her haunting indie-pop sound soared through Lincoln Hall. As she tore through her debut, which made up ten songs on the setlist, she intermittently played through the hits— “Bumblebee,” a single from 2022 that cemented her spot in the alternative pop world, “Opening” and “Quiver” from 2021’s EP, Digital Meadow, and the crowd-dividing “Scab Song” which was what partially persuaded me to be a recurring listener after seeing her perform last year. 

“Scab Song” is a setlist staple of Jar’s, who explained during the show that she can really tell during this particular song “who gets it and who doesn’t.” It specifically features Jar’s habitual ability to pair the physical act of being human and having a body your soul lives in with the natural world we occupy and the existential feelings we grapple with daily. This theme can be spotted in the lyrics of fan-favorite “Lagoon,” the first verse expressing “My heart is a crustacean / Could you come and crack it open?” and title track “No Way To Relax When You Are On Fire.” 

That song, which came near the end of the setlist, marked a high point of the performance. It begins beautifully with dreamy guitar and soft drums that flow effortlessly into her breathy vocal tone. It keeps the same sentiment as mentioned before—her ability to pair humanness with references to nature. “You’re like a landslide taking me with you” in verse two is quintessential Jar lyricism which is both profound and thought out. Her artistry is effortless in both performance and production. On stage, these words poured out of her—with quirky dance moves to match.

She closed with popular tunes “Multiply” and “Puppet” and told us many times over, “Thank you for making it here on a Tuesday!” Throughout Puppet’s runtime, she screamed, thrashed her limbs about, and ended up in a dog pile with her guitarist and bass player. The song winded her and the audience, purely from the collective effervescence experienced in that moment. She blew us kisses and dashed off stage. It was a fanciful one-hour-long affair that left me wondering if I should catch the train to St. Paul to see the next one. Dora Jar is a once-in-a-lifetime artist with a passion for lyricism and the carefree energy of a great pop star. Make sure to listen to her debut album No Way To Relax When You Are On Fire – your ears will appreciate it.

Concert Review: Sunami at Subterranean

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On the night of October 14th, I set out to Subterranean, one of my favorite Chicago venues, to see Sunami, a hardcore band hailing all the way from San Jose, California. The band had played the night before, and I had already heard some stories from friends. They told me that I was “going to get annihilated,” advised me to “take my piercings out,” and told me that the pit would get super violent, and this was an understatement. After hearing all of this from several people, I decided to watch the show from the balcony above in comfort and safety.

The show kicked off with four different openers, all hailing from different parts of the country. Sector, from here in Chicago, performed first. I really enjoyed their set, and especially loved their breakdowns. The pit started off a bit spotty, but with some encouragement from the band, it quickly intensified, with a few wrestling moves thrown in as well.

Enervate, a smaller band from Milwaukee, played next and definitely did not disappoint with their stage presence. Their performance energized the crowd, who headbanged along in a very active pit. They had great crowd involvement as well, frequently sharing the microphone with fans.

The third opener, Torena, came all the way from Oxnard, California, and delivered a great set accompanied with a lot of crowd killing. They hyped up the crowd with amazing breakdowns, shifting from fast-paced sections to slower and heavier riffs.

Hailing from Idaho, the final opener, Ingrown, was my favorite set out of all the openers, featuring echoing guitar riffs, some of the best I’ve heard in a while. They consistently kept the crowd’s energy up and even threw drumsticks into the audience mid songs.

After watching all of the opener’s set’s, I heavily anticipated Sunami’s set, and it did not let me down. The crowd was full of excitement, energy, and enthusiasm following the openers. I loved the vocals, instrumentals, and the energy surging through the venue. With my view from the balcony, I could see what looked like a full on fight in the pit, with plenty of crowd killing as well. Sunami’s performance was phenomenal. Their live set sounded even better than their recorded music, packed with more energy. They brought beautiful riffs, amazing vocals, and powerful drumming to the stage. Loud cheers came from the crowd after each song, bringing even more energy into the pit. 

A standout moment of the show was when they played their most popular song “Weak Die First”. You could really feel the energy in the venue as they kicked off the song with the intro. I loved their performance of this song live with amazing vocals and instrumentation, especially with the growl at the end.

Sunami, along with all of the openers, delivered outstanding performances that I highly recommend to any hardcore fans out there. Sunami is embarking on a six-week tour across the U.S. and, if you get the chance, I highly recommend seeing them live.

Duster Transcends Rock at Thalia Hall

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CHICAGO | I had the pleasure to see Duster live on October 9th, and trust me, pleasure is an understatement. As I waited for the doors to open, I spotted Clay Parton, one of Duster’s guitarists walking by with a plastic bag. He seemed to go unnoticed by everyone in the long line that wrapped around Thalia Hall, or maybe everyone felt like me, too nervous to interrupt his evening stroll.

Duster, notable indie slowcore band from San Jose, California, consists of Clay Parton and Canaan Dove Amber. Currently on the North American leg of their tour, they are joined by Sam Fabela of Nuzzle on bass and Max Edelman of Sour Widows on drums.

After reemerging from their twenty-year hiatus in 2018, Duster did not need to worry about whether or not their older fans remained as they garnered a larger fanbase with younger generations. Expecting to be one of the youngest attendees, the demographics of the audience at the show surprised me. The crowd was full of other twenty-somethings and tweens accompanied by their parents. Everyone seemed visibly excited but still respected the space and kept the energy up during Dirty Art Club’s opening set, dancing to the music as they waited for Duster’s arrival.

As soon as Duster walked onto the stage, the crowd erupted into cheers as they tuned their instruments. Amber briefly acknowledged the crowd before playing “The Twins/Romantica” from their album Stratosphere.

The band’s skill is undeniable. All members seemed to be giving their all, yet looked effortless doing so, especially Max Edelman, who may be the most graceful drummer I’ve ever seen live. My favorite parts of the night were when they played “The Coffin” which is from Parton’s solo project, Eiafuawn, and when Amber took a hit from his vape onstage. Throughout the show, some fans shouted out the usual, “I love you”, and I even heard a “Rock & Roll is back!” met with small smiles from Parton and Amber as they looked at each other and laughed. After almost an hour of the Duster trance, they announced their next song, “Echo, Bravo,” would be their last. After a quick thank you and goodby, the crowd broke out into thunderous screams.

The energy following the show was electric. Leaving the hall, I met a few fans who had lovely things to say about the show. My short conversations with them proved that Duster is a truly beloved band. Memo, a Chicago native, said, “not a single moment felt like it was being dragged, I honestly felt like I was in some sort of trance throughout the show”. I also met Sickly, who took a train from St. Louis to see Duster and thought being here was “kinda freaky” because Duster has been such a huge part of his life, but he never expected to see them live. He also thought that “it was just beautiful to see that they still have the love for what they do, and provided us with that experience.”

As I waited outside after the show, I spotted a man with a very recognizable beard standing by the tour bus about to light a cigarette. It was Clay Parton. Initially hesitant to approach him, I am very glad I decided to walk over. I shook his hand and told him I was also from San Jose, for which he earnestly apologized. He talked a little bit about how he couldn’t have gotten out of the city fast enough before I told him how cool it was that a band like theirs came out of my hometown. He seemed genuinely appreciative, and as we spoke, a line of other fans formed next to me. I thanked him for the conversation and for putting on a great show so he could enjoy the rest of his cigarette.

I was once told by someone from Los Angeles that the people he has met from San Jose are always humble. I thought that was a joke, but after my Duster experience and gratifying conversation with Parton, I see the truth in that statement. Duster put on an otherworldly performance and I feel incredibly lucky to have witnessed one of the best bands of this generation.

Concert Review: Sega Bodega at Metro

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On the freezing night of October 13th, singer, songwriter, producer, and DJ Sega Bodega graced the stage at Metro. Walking into the venue, I expected a laid-back, relaxed performance, but I experienced so much more than that. As a longtime fan of Sega Bodega, I had been eagerly awaiting this show for months, and it did not disappoint. Arriving before doors, I was second in line for the show and secured a spot right at the barricade, giving me an incredible view of the entire performance.

The night started off with Cecile Believe, whose set I had also been greatly anticipating. Familiar with only a few of her songs, I still knew her performance would be great, and I was not let down as she delivered a captivating set. Two tracks in particular stood out: “Blink Twice”, a recent release on her new label ambient tweets (founded by Sega Bodega), and “My Forever”, another recent release on SOPHIE’s newly released posthumous self-titled album.

Before Sega Bodega even played any music, his stunning set design immediately blew me away. He stood at center stage encircled by 360-degree light stands that shifted in synchronized movements with each song. This mesmerizing visual experience complemented his outstanding performance. The set flowed seamlessly, shifting between laid-back, atmospheric tracks and high-energy, sonically intricate, danceable tracks. Sega Bodega opened with some of his more relaxed tracks, including “Adulter8″ and “Elk Skin,” both featuring beautifully layered vocals and lush, layered synthesizers. As these songs played, I resonated deeply with the music, as if it were touching my soul.

As the chill part of his set faded, Sega Bodega got into some of his more energetic tracks, including “Effeminacy” (a personal favorite), “Deer Teeth”, and the stunning closer “Kepko”, which beautifully capped off his performance. As he transitioned into these tracks, the energy and atmosphere of the room shifted from serene to lively with the whole room dancing and shaking their heads along to the music. 

Sega Bodega, along with opener Cecile Believe, were both outstanding performers that I highly recommend seeing live. If you have the chance, be sure to catch either of them on their next tour and you will not be disappointed!

Concert Review: Mk.gee at The Vic

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[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.

The Rare Occasions Electrify the Night at Lincoln Hall

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CHICAGO | The floors of Lincoln Hall were bouncing, the music was roaring, and socks were knocked off; that is the best way to describe the atmosphere of a show from The Rare Occasions. The Los Angeles-based trio played near DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus on Sunday, September 29 alongside opener Bel on their Through Moonshot Eyes tour, named after their third full length LP released earlier this month. Members Brain McLaughlin, Jeremy Cohen, and Luke Imbasch have been creating feel-good indie rock for a decade that is surely worth dancing to.

The show opened with “Mr. Bubbles” and “Black Balloons” featured off the new album, and fans were not shy to immediately start singing and dancing with the band. Lincoln Hall’s low capacity made it easy to see every individual in the crowd and discern their obvious enjoyment. In between songs, the band cracked jokes, poking fun at Chicago’s two baseball teams and sharing what kind of socks each band member was wearing. They also took time to reflect on when they were a “baby band” by doing some songs in the style of an open mic night.

Encouraged by the audience’s cheers at the end of the show, McLaughlin quickly returned to the stage to sing an encore. Cohen and Imbusch joined for one last song, “Notion”, their most streamed song thanks to TikTok. The set ended with a bang as everyone chanted the lyrics and jumped around with each other.

The Rare Occasions will continue their North American tour throughout October, and their remaining dates can be found on their website. If a dynamic and lively concert is on your radar, The Rare Occasions are sure to deliver an energetic experience like no other. Additionally, I had the opportunity to interview the trio the day after their set at Lincoln Hall, click here to listen or check it out below!

Concert Review: Shabaka’s Meditative Music

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Flowing under red stage lights and in front of a projected art piece, Shabaka, British multi-instrumentalist, jazz-composer and band leader filled the Salt Shed on September 29th with a tranquil atmosphere as part of the Warm Love Cool Dreams music festival in Chicago. 

The multi-genre festival spanned two days. Dedicated to warm, intense music, day one featured musicians like Sextile, a post punk band, and The Jesus Lizard, an American rock band, returning from a performance hiatus since 2018. Shabaka performed on day two of the festival, dedicated to cool, ambient music, headlining with Kelela, a contemporary R&B and electronic musician with angelic vocals, and featuring Sister Nancy, a prominent Jamaican singer. Fusing a plethora of sounds, the festival attracted a wide variety of listeners.

Shabaka’s hour-long set provided a perfect introduction to the diverse sounds of the rest of the night. Along with Charles Overton on the harp and Austin Williamson on the drums, Shabaka graced the audience with a light-hearted stage presence, overtaking us with the vibrations of his instruments.

Matching the spirit of diverse sound imposed by the festival, Shabaka’s eclectic collection of instruments, specifically flutes, define his eccentric music, especially on his latest album, Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace, which he shared during his set. He introduced the audience to a Mayan drone flute, explaining how the instrument unlocks deeper imaginative capabilities for him due to its under-researched heritage. Shabaka ended his set with the shakuhachi, an ancient Japanese bamboo flute, which he picked up during the 2020 quarantine. Commonly used in Buddhist meditation, the shakuhachi produces a mellow sound, which contributed to the relaxing effect of Shabaka’s music.

The sounds of Shabaka’s flutes enclosed the audience, creating a peaceful crowd of serene smiles and gentle dancing. Melodies echoed through the floor, sending visceral vibrations zipping through the body, instilling bliss throughout the room. Warmed by the stage lighting and Shabaka’s charismatic energy, the set made a wonderful addition to the Warm Love Cool Dreams festival. A prolific creator with imaginative spirit, Shabaka is one to be remembered.