Julien Baker at Thalia Hall in Chicago, September 24
Julien Baker played the middle show of her three nights in a row at Thailia Hall in Chicago, IL on September 24. She played various songs from all her albums, with “Appointments” among the earliest. From her most recent album, Little Oblivions, a song that was universally enjoyed live is “Bloodshot.” When I heard the first chord, I immediately knew the song and sang right along with the crowd.
Despite Baker saying that she “threw her voice out just a week before the tour started,” and if the crowd sang along it’d be “greatly appreciated,” she sounded wonderful live all night. I respect artists who sound just as good, in this case even better, live rather than the studio version.
Baker rolled out “High in the Basement,” one of her new songs, and the crowd was visibly moved to hear it. Backed with her five-piece band, Baker shared catharsis and imperfections with everyone present for every minute of the 90 minute set.
Baker’s southern charm translates to people and radiates through her presence. She kept reiterating how grateful she was for the crowd, and her band, maintaining an air of authenticity as she shared concerns with the audience about how things were going during the show.
I have seen Julien perform previously with her band boygenuis, at the RE: SET festival in Nashville, TN. Each artist of boygenius has their own solo music, including Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus, and they all share a unique bond. Their debut album, the record, was released on March 31st, 2023, and won three Grammys. The boys were up against staple artists including Foo Fighters, Rolling Stones, and Metallica. Each member from boygenius identifies within the queer community and reminds other queer artists that anything is possible and to be proud of who you are. I recommend listening to each artist and taking the time to listen to their first self-titled EP and finishing with the record, and I can assure you won’t be disappointed. Hey, I even got my Dad hooked on them and he’s a Deadhead.
Find more details and upcoming show dates for Julien Baker here: https://julienbaker.com/
Setlist:
Over
Appointments
Ringside
Heatwave
Red Door
Happy to Be Here
Favor
Relative Fiction
High in the Basement (New song)
Something (Solo)
Song in E (Solo)
Sprained Ankle
Bloodshot
Even
Hardline
Claws in Your Back
Encores:
Rejoice (Solo)
Everybody Does
