MWA Live: Bayside, Kayleigh Goldsworthy at Bottom Lounge – 11/24/18

Bayside released their album, Acoustic Volume 2, in September. Chicago was the first stop of the tour and the only destination where they played two shows. The new album gives their fans re-imagined versions of tracks from current and classic albums. These fresh renditions have new emotions, new emphasis, and blend an array of acoustic elements to give their cult-like following a new way to enjoy songs they’ve loved for so long. The album also debuted a new track titled “It Don’t Exist”.

The show began with Kayleigh Goldsworthy holding down the stage with a powerful solo performance that drew the audience in perfectly. Kayleigh would join Bayside for the duration of their set on piano.

Lead man Anthony Raneri’s stage presence and obvious adoration for his fans have never disappointed, and the show at Bottom Lounge was no exception. He loves to interact with the crowd, and I’ll be damned if I’ve ever seen an acoustic performance get a crowd this pumped up. The set consisted of 20 or so songs that ranged from brand new to deep cuts.

At the end of the night, we got a surprise guest appearance from Josh Caterer of the Smoking Popes to perform the second verse of “Megan”, originally a Smoking Popes song that Bayside covered on their first acoustic album in 2006.