My goal is to see one show per week. Yes, I might be that annoying friend that just has to tell you about the thing you missed, but I’m also catching every great show in the city of Chicago–with plenty more ahead of me. Welcome to the Chicago Concert Dispatch.
At the time of this show, it is 43 weeks into the year, and I have seen 181 shows.
Ester is usually six people, but that show it was just lead vocalist and songwriter Anna Holmquist. My favorite part of hearing music stripped back like this is that it shows off the bones of the music. If the composition and the lyrics are good, you’ll hear it. If the performer of the music can’t stand up to the scrutiny of a solo performance, you can tell right away. Holmquist was a spellbinding performer. They strummed the guitar with deep resonance, and their voice soared over it. The style of the music goes from rock to grunge to folk and never waned in strength.
I loved each song more than the last as Ester let their voice explore the syllables and wander through the notes. “To be Kind” showed off their voice to great effect. I have to note the fun upbeat tune “Gatekeeper.” In 2020, we can expect Ester to put out a new album, Turn Around, and I will be looking forward to “Wildfire.”
Whether whole band or solo set, Ester is definitely worth your time.
The second act was a local Chicago band so new this was only their second performance: Pludo. My first impression of this band was “grunge.” The second was that they have formed around an excellent drummer.
“Wet Roach” kept changing timings keeping the band, and all of us, on our toes. Calvin Schaller was setting the pace and pushing the limits and the rest of the band met his challenge each time. They brought melodic joy with their song “Crime Dog.” The harmonies between the two guitarists, Max Petot and Anthony Santoro, were beautiful. On that song and on others throughout the set, they wove in and out of sync and harmony, each picking and strumming interchangeably. The terms lead and rhythm didn’t apply to the way they structured their songs. They have recorded a bit, but no news yet as to when they will release, so if you want to check them out you’ll have to seek out their next live performance.
Dead Soft was our touring band of the night, fresh off the release of their new album, Big Blue. They excelled at bringing together melody and thrash, dissonance and bounce. From the moment Nathaniel Epp began singing, “I have set my heart to self destruct,” he had me. He approached the mic with a grimace and a bent knee slouch, seeming eager and indifferent at the same time.
They build their sound off contrasts. The drumming by Alex Smith was muscular and yet somehow maintained a light fun vibe on “Tulips.” The music for “Step Out” goes in and out of a slow thrash. It brought Epp to a scream, while the chorus’s vocal harmonies were so happy, I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.
They ended with “Porch.” “I have nothing for you,” might be one of the most striking opening lyrics to a song I’ve heard in a while. As their last song of the set, it left a strong final impression.
Old Joy was the kind of band performance that has a hard time being quiet because their enthusiasm (their joy, one might say) is too big to be contained. As they ripped into “Pocket,” they were having a rocking good time, all bouncing on the same beat in joyful sync.
But, it was the back-to-back goodness of “My Brother” and “Kind of Girl” that got me into this band. The melody of “Kind of Girl” was clever and got in my head. The band’s energy peaked on “Hey My My.” The song got down and dirty, bringing out a thrash and abandon that sent the guitarist’s hat flying.
Initially, I was surprised they decided to end on a ballad, but “You Are Loved” was so lovely I could see why they did. As Alex sang “what broke…,” I closed my eyes and let Old Joy work their magic musical spell.
Ester Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram
Plado Instagram
Dead Soft Official | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram
Old Joy Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram
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