![]() ![]() It’s a wide, diverse, and inclusive space, and over the decades it’s been opened up to more and more voices and audiences-people who were once locked out of the social conversation surrounding music or even locked out of the business of making and performing it publicly. The Chicago live-music scene is a defining feature of the city’s cultural landscape. If I’d had even a marginally better time, I’d have risked it on the Metro steps again. I probably wouldn’t have attended without the free ticket (nothing against the artists-I just didn’t know them well), and in retrospect I’m thankful I wasn’t hugely into it. I still haven’t made another trip to Metro, and even now I think about that concert. ![]() ![]() First was the venue, which I’d been assured would be fully equipped to handle a person in a wheelchair, and second was that free shirt, which I promptly lost. I go to lots of concerts, but this one stands out-and not for good reasons. I remember two details from the show: the harrowing experience of having my wheelchair pushed up two flights of stairs to the theater, then lowered back down in a process that was somehow even more grueling and scary, and the fact that Curren$y gave me a T-shirt. Best of Chicago 2022: Music & NightlifeĪlmost ten years ago, I was offered a free ticket to see New Orleans rapper Curren$y and Chicago duo the Cool Kids at Metro.Best of Chicago 2022: Sports & Recreation.Two nights of Alex G absolutely exceeded expectation even for someone who has seen the king 7 times. During the selection of fan echoed request the funniest moment is when you hear hundreds of people all trying to replicate the twangy solo guitar work on songs like “Gnaw” and “Crab” unnecessary but not surprising given the fanbase. A true master class from the once labeled Bandcamp superstar. He’s been pulling triple duty all night switching from his keyboard set-up to lead guitar while constantly singing every song. The first encore is “Mis” a somber tune back from when Alex was recording music in his college dorm room. The inevitable line of “What do you want us to play next” comes from Alex G. The band have had this running joke for the past few years where they eventually start singing and playing along to the loveable tune. The venue starts playing music to signal it’s time to go home but it’s not the usual go home song it’s “Life is a Highway,” the iconic Rascal Flatts single from the Disney movie Cars. Sometimes the newer material doesn’t have the exact same visceral pull as the older content, but it still showcases Alex’s ever improving songwriting skills. You can hear the overbearing bass drum explode like a blown tire for “After Ur Gone” before a screeching guitar matches the fan’s joy of an oldie being performed. The screams and hollers of concertgoers seem everlasting but when there’s a hint of something about to be played from albums prior to the latest, the room is deafening. The quick follow up is his own replication of Americana with “ Runner”, maybe the strongest song writing from Alex and one of the best songs this year. Opening with “S.D.O.S” from his newest album this year, God Save The Animals the whole song is a build up to an off-kilter eerie voice, one his fans have grown to love since 2010 or 2012 depending on whom you may ask. A vibrant group of red florescent lights pulsate as Alex G and company fill the stage. The room of 20 somethings and hyper-pop music increasingly grows and there’s a more prominent chatter of excitement as the man of the hour finally reaches the stage. ![]() The sound is a little Cocteau Twins, it’s a little Carly Rae Jepsen, but on stage it’s 100% Hatchie. Hatchie’s angelic voice gets the crowd to do their usual swaying and head bobbing, but their interest seems to dwell during the dreamy set. As a touring 3 piece without a drummer the trio still makes the most of the show, with the rhythm guitarist fully cranking their whammy bar and the bassist doing double duty on the synths. Harriette Pilbeam aka Hatchie, still fresh off a tour from her spring release, Giving The World Awayalways provides a concert that’s a carbon copy of her releases but in the best way possible. Last week, the former Bandcamp superstar Alex G returned to the incredible venue for two nights with Australian artist Hatchie. From Broken Social Scene to Soccer Mommy it’s been a stacked season at Thalia Hall. Every year as we make the transition from summer to fall to the dreadful winter there’s a wave of must see shows in Chicago. ![]()
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