Just as everyone thought we were done with snow and cold weather, it struck again. I was greeted by flurries and wind upon my arrival into Chicago from Milwaukee. It was not the prettiest time of year to be out and about, but that didn’t stop the crowd from scurrying into a show at Metro Chicago.

I had never been inside this venue, so it was a new and exciting experience. Metro has a vintage theatre vibe that gives it an overall, super old-school feel. There’s a balcony and tables with chairs around the upstairs area, making it easy for everyone of all ages to enjoy the show, whether you chose to stand the whole time or need to sit and rest your legs. I really appreciate venues that allow general admission choices without charging an extra fee for upgraded access.

The one downside, which I wasn’t entirely prepared for until a few hours before doors opened, is that Metro is entirely cash only—for tickets at doors, the coat check, and the bar. These days, most people don’t carry cash around, so I made a last-minute pit stop at the ATM. 

By the first act, the room was really packed in towards the barricade and people were ready. Young Culture was the first act to take the stage. I’ve seen this group several times, and they really know how to get the crowd warmed up. Vocalist Alex Magnan floats and bounces around the stage to the beats, bringing the hype and energy that every opener is expected to have. It seemed that a majority of the crowd was not too familiar with them, which is unfortunate, because I love them.

Next up, Belmont. I’ve seen Belmont a couple times and knew that the crowd was going to WAKE UP right then and there. Their music brings out the moshers and the crowd surfers. What was interesting was that security in the pit weren’t allowing them over the barricade, which caused some frenzy between the surfers and the moshers. Thankfully, it didn’t appear that anyone was dropped or injured in any way.

The lead singer was like a jumping bean on the stage, making for some fun mid-air photos. I love getting those action photos of a jump in mid-air.

After their set, the crowd thinned out a bit and the balcony filled in. I had never seen This Wild Life live and only knew of their name from friends or passing conversations. They have a more chill, indie-pop vibe in comparison to their opening acts, but the crowd still gave it their all. People were singing along and waving their hands to the music. Diehard fans of ten or more years celebrated the album’s anniversary with synergy, there for full experience.

I snagged a photo of the setlist, and the last song had, in parentheses, “metalcore bongo version.” I had no idea what that meant. I was exhausted and didn’t plan on staying the whole time, but curiosity plagued my mind. I stayed until the end, and I have no regrets. After playing their album straight through, they had four songs prepared for an “encore.” One of them was a love song dedicated to a couple in the audience who has been married for 28 years. The band had them slow dance in the balcony as the crowd lot them up with the phone flashlights. It was a sweet moment between the band and their audience.

When they got to their final song, they announced it was indeed THE LAST SONG, saying they don’t believe in encores because they are a waste of time and cliché. And yes, the metalcore bongo version does, in fact, include bongos and it was a an unexpected twist to end the night.

This Wild Life is still on tour with Belmont and Young Culture. Grab a ticket and check it out. It’s be a fun night out—and there’s only a couple more weeks left, so don’t miss out!