Emo icons Emery wrapped up leg two of “The Question 20-Year Anniversary” tour on Sunday night in West Chicago. Touring with Have Mercy and Good Terms, this lineup was instantly charged with angst as these three powerhouses packed West Chicago’s intimate venue.

Starting the evening off for us was Good Terms from Los Angeles, California. Fans were instantly drawn in by their incomparable stage presence, and overall, Good Terms just set a great tone for the night. The entire experience felt very genuine – I always love going to venues and shows where you can really connect with artists. I was hooked on these guys when I heard their Blondie cover of “Call Me;” give it a listen and let us know if it scratches that good itch in your brain much like it did for myself. Fans gathered to hear their most bangin’ song off of their 2024 album release, Burnout, including the hit “Cough.” One notable mention I have to bring up was the incredible guest performance by fellow photographer and media manager, Raine! You can find them on the road with Good Terms and on Instagram @Rainemedia.

I honestly am speechless with Have Mercy’s performance on Sunday — I truly was sobbing in between shutter clicks. Have Mercy is an Indie rock staple band from Baltimore, Maryland, that captivates the entire room by lyrically enchanting the ears of everyone around. Once in a while, you’ll find a great band that can pull together heart-wrenching poetic verses into melodic ingenuity and Have Mercy checks all the boxes for the perfect storm. 10/10, no notes, chef’s kiss. If you’re looking to get into these east coasters, I recommend starting with my OG favorite, their 2014 album A Place of Our Own.

Emery capped us off with possibly one of the most kickass performances I’ve seen in a while. Don’t let the words “twenty-year anniversary” fool you — these guys came out absolutely swinging on all of us and they did it in matching track suits. These legends gave us the absolute works, and even came into the crowd for some stage diving. Fans were grateful to see twenty years in the making come alive in community and camaraderie. This performance felt like making friends with your favorite emo band. These guys were supremely down to earth and just made the entire experience so lively and fun. I cannot recommend them enough. Cheers to The Question!!

GOOD TERMS | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE
HAVE MERCY | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE
EMERY | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE