Bad Copy

It was 5:30PM and I was rushing. I made it home from work to change, walk the dog, and head down to The Salt Shed, a relatively new venue in Chicago that holds a massive 4,000 people in the converted Morton Salt warehouse. Sure, there was paid parking right next to the venue. But I believe that you’re not a true Chicagoan unless you know all the best free secret parking spots which are sprinkled throughout the city like little Easter Eggs that you have to find. They’re there, you just have to look for them. I found mine and walked the two blocks to the venue.

Walking inside felt like walking into a blue tinged cavern. It was massive. I was rushing, as I wasn’t exactly sure if the set list time were accurate. Pinkshift was already onstage (crap) and as I ran up to the security guard behind the barricade, he told me they just started their third song and I wasn’t allowed into the photo pit (double crap). So I made my way through the crowd to capture my shots of a band that I once saw in a packed, cramped venue who now are opening for The Gaslight Anthem on a national tour. The crowd seemed relatively unfamiliar with the band, but were very into their set. I overheard a few conversations about how good they were and how the audience members were impressed. I made my way back over to the barricade corner, to see a diehard fan in a Pinkshift shirt screaming all the lyrics. I leaned in and told her that I had the same shirt and she gushed how they are the best band ever. Moments later, when the band dismounted the stage, she asked them for their signatures and they obliged. I hadn’t seen such a true and touching fan moment like this in awhile.

Next up was Joyce Manor, and I made it into the photo pit for them. I was able to sneak a peak at their setlist and saw that they were playing a whopping 20 songs. They opened with “Heart Tattoo” which resulted in the crowd erupting. And they did not stop until the closer, “Catalina Fight Song.” The band did focus heavily on songs from their album Never Hungover Again, which turns 10 years old this year. But they also included hits from their other 5 studio albums as well. It’s always so surreal for me to see Joyce Manor. They are always doing something big and amazing with a national reach before I see them that leaves me in awe. For example, just a few months ago, they were one of the bands that played live on John Mulaney’s live variety talk show Everybody’s in LA. The show was great. Their set was so energetic and riveting, much like tonight’s as well.

As the photographers were let into the photo pit for the final band of the evening, I turned around to look at the crowd. It was massive. The floor was a sea of faces as far back as I could see and the upper seating areas were mostly filled as well. The space was cavernously massive but also filled with people. The Gaslight Anthem took the stage to a deafening cheer and I found myself screaming right along with everyone in the waves of people behind me. The set list totaled 22 songs. Then opened with “American Slang” and dove right into “45” afterwards. The set list included songs from almost all albums, with less from Get Hurt and History Books (the band’s latest effort and album which announced their grand return after a long hiatus). I’ve seen the band countless times in cities across the country from small, intimate venues to festivals like Riot Fest. And I will say that this is the happiest that I have seen Mr. Brian Fallon onstage in some time. Same with the other band members. Everyone sounded great, the band was tour tight and well-practiced. I’m sure that the crowd had something to do with the positivity as well. You could feel the waves of energy washing over the room as people cheered and screamed and sang along to lyrics that helped them get through.

As the night came to a close, Pinkshift joined TGA onstage as the band broke into a cover of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Chicago’s own Julia Steiner (lead singer of Ratboys) was also onstage, as she had lent her vocals to “Here’s Looking at You Kid” a few songs earlier. Julia, Brian, and Pinkshift singer Ashrita all traded leading verses for the cover as the other band members danced and played along. Balloons were dropped. Everyone was singing along. The crowd was eating it up. And when the song ended, the band left the stage and the lights came up, I felt full. It’s been four years since the pandemic, which halted my constant show-going schedule and changed my point of view on so many things, including music and those who live within its boundaries. I’m just now starting to slowly get back out there and enjoy the world again. It’s been a long time since I went to a show that left me with a sense of wonder and contentment. Here’s to many more.