CHICD: V.V. Lightbody and Haley Heynderickx at Martyrs – 7/12

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 28 weeks into the year and I have seen 61 shows.

Haley Heynderickx stood center stage at Lincoln Hall surrounded by a motley assortment of instruments, but they were not going to be played during Haley’s set. It was her first time in Chicago, opening a show on a chilly March day. She had just her voice and guitar to express the fullness of her music. Her voice was soft, and manner, laid back, yet she exuded a jubilant energy as she chatted between songs. At one point, she apologized, saying the song would have better momentum with a band. But as she wove tales with her songs, I didn’t miss any of the instrumentation on the record. I was curious, though, if she thought she could improve on the performance she gave solo that night. I wanted to see it.

That is what brought me to Martyrs to see Haley and her band headline less than five months after I saw her open at Lincoln Hall.

I have been meaning to get out and see V.V. Lightbody for a while now, so I was excited when she was added as the opener for this show. It wasn’t surprising that–just like when Haley opened–V.V. stripped her sound back to just her and her guitar. It is a true test of songwriting and the strength of the performer when it’s just them and their instrument.

Vivian holds the stage with calm grace. I’m drawn into the rich sound of her guitar and the intricacies of the often melancholy stories she is telling. I look forward to seeing her with the support of a full band in the future.

Haley has one of those sounds that is instantly recognizable. She has a hitch in her voice–almost like a yodel, but not cheesy. It’s both memorable, emotive, and beautiful in recordings. But, in person, it absolutely pulled at my heart. I wanted to watch her, but it’s so hard to not just close your eyes and listen to the peaks and valleys of her voice. Haley maintained her jubilant energy even after five months of touring. I could tell the support and collaboration of her bandmates has made her stronger, and more relaxed, in her performance. She had been able to revel in Denzel’s sonorous trombone solos and relax into singing harmonies with Lily. The drummer, Philip, brought that energy and drive Haley had previously noted was missing while playing solo.

The inter-song chatter’s even better as members of the band regale us with stories from the road, insight into some of the songs, and we felt like we were hanging out with some new friends–Haley likened it to going on a first date. They made us feel like we were experiencing something intimate and unique, which we did.

That’s why I keep going to shows and why, hopefully, you do, too.

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