Bleachers Kick Off Tour in Front of a Passionate Chicago Crowd

Photojournalist: Kiera

Bleachers and frontman Jack Antonoff needed no introduction at Sunday night’s packed show at the Salt Shed Fairgrounds. Thousands of bodies were squished together to get up close and personal with the indie pop-rock band following their sold-out Friday night show. Bleachers came out with a bang, and Chicago lost its ever-loving mind. Words do not seem able to describe what Bleachers mean to Chicago, and the feeling seems to be mutual.

“I love Chicago because people love living in Chicago and it’s contagious… people are happy to be here.”

Antonoff and crew did not lose a single ounce of energy as the night progressed. If anything, Antonoff and the crowd fed off each other's mounting excitement all night long as the band coasted through a 23-song set. The air was thick with rain and a surprising amount of cigarette smoke as fans screamed and danced the night away. The stunning modern-'70s stage visuals, also known as Antonoff's playground, brought a warmth and vibrancy to the experience that only served to amplify the charm of the music.

The anthemic powerhouse energy Antonoff brought to the stage is something I've only experienced elsewhere in the music of Bruce Springsteen. It left me with a longing nostalgia for a time more than two decades before I was even born. It was extremely special to experience that kind of fellowship with other fans during one of the best live performances I've seen in a long time. The bar was set incredibly high and will be extremely tough to beat.

Chicago was fortunate to be at the very start of Bleachers' tour, but there is still plenty of time left to see them live this year. Bleachers are on tour with dates throughout the next six months, spanning North America and Europe. This is not a show to pass up. Grab your Bleachers merch and lose yourself in the magic of Bleachers Forever.

Set List:
sideways
the van 
Modern Girl
Jesus Is Dead 
Wild Heart
Everybody Lost Somebody
Goodmorning
dirty wedding dress
we should talk 
Chinatown
Don't Go Dark 
you and forever 
Margaret (Lana Del Rey cover)
Isimo
Merry Christmas, Please Don't Call
take you out tonight
How Dare You Want More
Rollercoaster
Tiny Moves
Don't Take the Money
upstairs at els 
I Wanna Get Better
Stop Making This Hurt

Keep Up With Bleachers:   FACEBOOK // TWITTER // TIKTOK // INSTAGRAM // YOUTUBE