The Wrecks Kept House of Blues Chicago Moving

5 days ago

3 min read

Blue-lit concert singer at mic with drummer behind, crowd hands raised in front. — The Wrecks played to a raving audience at the House of Blues in Chicago, IL | Photography by Ernesto Raul Aguilar (@blacksheepimagery)

Kid Sistr and Worry Club joined The Wrecks for a packed Saturday at House of Blues Chicago, a night of hometown firsts, onstage fans and a floor that never stopped bouncing

By Ernesto Raul Aguilar

The House of Blues Chicago was packed wall to wall on Saturday night, and the floor was getting a heavy workout. Even standing still meant going along for the ride. With Kid Sistr, Worry Club and The Wrecks on the bill, the audience had plenty of reasons to keep moving. You could literally feel enthusiasm through the soles of your shoes.

Kid Sistr: Room for Discovery

Black-and-white concert photo of a guitarist with hair flying under spotlights, with a drummer behind and a drum marked WORRY. — Kid Sistr opened the night at the House of Blues in Chicago, IL | Photography by Ernesto Raul Aguilar (@blacksheepimagery)

Kid Sistr had eight songs to make an impression, closing with “Maniac.” With three bands sharing a bill, there’s always the possibility of showing up for one and leaving interested in somebody else. Kid Sistr’s compact set left room for that kind of discovery.

Worry Club: A Hometown First

Chicago’s own Worry Club had an occasion worth remembering. This was the band’s first-time playing House of Blues Chicago, with a packed room for the occasion. That’s a good Saturday night by just about any measure. Seeing a local band get its first shot at that stage added to the evening, especially with so much movement out on the floor.

Black-and-white photo of a woman playing bass onstage, singing into a mic with an intense, focused expression. — Worry Club kept the music rolling at the House of Blues in Chicago, IL | Photography by Ernesto Raul Aguilar (@blacksheepimagery)

Any sense of ceremony had its limits, though. Before “In My Ear,” Chase and Avery revealed that they were wearing matching underwear. Well, there’s a detail to remember. The silliness gave the set a personal touch, and it was funny to have that happening on a night that also marked a milestone for the band. Apparently, the underwear had been coordinated for the occasion.

The Wrecks: Front Row on the Couch

Young man with glasses sings into a microphone on a lit stage, wearing a blue sweatshirt and striped pants, focused and intense — The Wrecks played to a raving audience at the House of Blues in Chicago, IL | Photography by Ernesto Raul Aguilar (@blacksheepimagery)

The Wrecks brought two fans onstage to sit on the couch after “Feels So Nice.” That’s a pretty good upgrade from a spot in the crowd. Putting fans up there fit the feel of the evening, with the audience contributing so much of the action already.

Singer in gray sweats sings into a mic on a hazy concert stage, with drums behind and a faint THE WRECK banner. — The Wrecks played to a raving audience at the House of Blues in Chicago, IL | Photography by Ernesto Raul Aguilar (@blacksheepimagery)

The band also paused so water bottles could be distributed to the crowd. With that many people packed together and moving, taking time to get water into their hands made sense and was appreciated. It’s a small thing until you’re the person who needs it, and a worthwhile interruption in the middle of a set.

Feeling the Floor

Crowded concert in an ornate theater, band on a lit stage under blue and pink lights, audience cheering below THE WRE banner — The Wrecks played to a raving audience at the House of Blues in Chicago, IL | Photography by Ernesto Raul Aguilar (@blacksheepimagery)

“Favorite Liar” closed The Wrecks’ set. After three bands, a hometown first and some questionable underwear revelations, there was plenty to talk about. But I keep coming back to the floor. Hundreds of people jumping together had made the room itself feel like it was moving along with them. That’s the part a camera just can’t quite capture.