CHICAGO- On October 3rd, at Wicker Park’s own Chop Shop, Caroline Kingsbury and MARIS absolutely blew me away. The energy, the enthusiasm, they had it all. For two hours, the duo poured their hearts into every note, leaving the crowd feeling liberated and possibly more queer than before.
What struck me the most about this show was how unique it felt. This wasn’t just a concert, MARIS and Kingsbury wanted to create a whole experience for attendees and build connections with them. From handing out gifts, recreating iconic MARIS stars, jumping into the crowd mid-set, and their boldest move, making the opener their fans. The two artists created an entirely dedicated space to their intergalactic personas.
MARIS and Kingsbury allowed their supporters to sign up for karaoke for the first hour of the show. At Chop Shop, two pages quickly filled with eager fans willing to sing their hearts out, with the slim chance that the two artists will come out and join them. Fans belted out songs like “Snow Angel” by Reneé Rapp, a handful of Chappell Roan hits, and more.
The excitement hit its peak when MARIS and Kingsbury joined in for a karaoke rendition of their own track, “Give Me a Sign.” Watching strangers bond over karaoke before the main show even began was magical. It proved just how powerful live music and queer spaces bonds people.
MARIS and Kingsbury then took center stage. They opened the show with a theatrical entrance, and launched into their hit, “Give Me A Sign.” Kingsbury followed with a set of her solo music, opening with three tracks from her 2021 album “Heavens Just A Flight,” a nostalgic treat for longtime fans. The crowd swayed, danced, and felt every emotion she poured into her performance, as she always does. The transitions between artists were seamless, with the two feeding off of each other’s energy for each passing.
After Kingsbury’s “Massive Escape,” the crowd watched MARIS climb on stage with an inflatable joint, passing it to Kingsbury, truly capturing their chemistry. The bit led seamlessly into “Mary + I.”
MARIS didn’t just stop there. Fans watched the Montana native break it down, shred on an inflatable guitar and even hit a costume change during “Heavenly Bodies.” She had the crowd in the palm of her hands, MARIS’ energy was infectious despite her admitting she was feeling under the weather that night. She even treated fans to some unreleased tracks, such as “Jessica,” which led to her jumping into the pit for a “mush pit,” a mosh pit but friendlier, as she described it. The crowd’s energy then took a switch during a fan-led project for her 2024 single, “Chamelion” where attendees held up hand-drawn chameleons and phone flashlights.
As the emotions settled, Kingsbury returned to the stage, tambourine in hand, instantly lighting up the room. The Florida-born artist danced, did high kicks, and engaged the crowd with props and flags. It’s no secret that her songs are meaningful to her, she packs in so many moments of her lifetime into her tracks, striking a chord within listeners. That was especially clear when performing “Funeral,” dedicating the track to her brother.
The rest of the night was a celebration of queer joy, as well as a mix of dancing and swaying. Mid-set, MARIS and Kingsbury even sat down for a quick fan Q&A, before surprising the crowd with a cover of Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club.” Their bond with each other was undeniable. It was no secret they were having fun that night at Chop Shop. To close the night, they came full circle, returning to where the show began, their hit “Give Me A Sign,” paying homage to the tour and the wild ride they just put attendees through.
Together, MARIS and Kingsbury proved that live music can be more than entertainment – it can be a form of liberation. Their co-headlining show at Chop Shop was a celebration of individuality, creativity, and queer joy, leaving fans buzzing long after their final notes.
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