On Friday, September 19, The Back Alley came to put on an amazing show at the X-Ray Arcade in Cudahy, Wisconsin, with support from Scorched Waves and Well + Good. Some fans filed in early to buy merchandise and engaged in small talk with members of the bands before the show, got drinks, and secured their spots by the stage. First up was Scorched Waves, and they kicked off the night with an energy that set the tone for the rest of the show. 

Scorched Waves is an indie rock band from Stevens Point, WI, and they brought a funky sound that had the audience locked into their performance. They had the audience participate with callbacks during their song “Leave Me Love Me,” and the crowd engagement definitely pumped up the energy in the room. I felt their songs were very driven by the bass and percussion, which made their songs very danceable. The band also played the title track off their 2024 album, With a Smile, and finished their set by covering “Kilby Girl” by The Backseat Lovers. Scorched Waves is a great band and set a fun and energetic tone for the rest of the night. 

Well + Good took the stage next and kept up the high energy with their mix of an indie rock and Midwest emo sound. The three-piece brought the heat and had all members of the crowd jumping and dancing. They played a variety of songs, including some from their 2025 EP if i’m being honest. I did, unfortunately, have to step out of the venue for part of their set, but from what I did see, Well + Good makes great music, and their live performance is great as well. This was one of the band’s final shows this year, so if you want to catch them live before the end of 2025, check out their socials.

Closing out the night was the headlining Chicago band, The Back Alley. This Indie Rock band put on a great show that drew out local fans who made this an exciting stop on their Midwest tour. This 5-piece band has a fun energy that is contagious for anyone in the crowd as they interact with each other and the audience. They played a mix of songs off their discography, including a couple of unreleased songs, and their newest single “What You Want.” I had the opportunity to interview The Back Alley before the show, and they said that writing this single made them really feel like a band, as it is the first song they really sat down and wrote together at Ben’s lake house in Michigan. During my conversation before the show, I took the time to ask the band some fun questions, and their answers did not disappoint. 

My first question was about how they’re currently touring, and if they have a favorite part about being on the road. The consensus among them was that the memories and bonding between shows were largely their favorite parts. Of course, the whole reason they tour in the first place is to play shows for fans, but the memories they make together as friends are something they really cherish. One of the band members said that they like all the gas stations they stop at on the road. I followed up and asked if they had favorites. Their top three were Loves, Wawa, and Kwik Trip.

I next asked the band what their favorite song to play live is and why? Jaden said his favorite was their new single “What You Want,” and Sal said his favorite to play live was “Is It Me,” which is an unreleased song. Many of the members also noted that Flower Girl” is fun to play live with its groovy sing-along vibes. After speaking to the band about their new previously mentioned single “What You Want,” I asked the band if they have plans to release new music in the next year, and if so, what to expect sonically. They responded that they are leaning sonically into their song “Grey Skies,” and that they have two demos recorded but not out yet. The demos include Sal’s favorite to play live, “Is It Me,” and “Come On Over,” which is different from their other songs and slower than the upbeat sound fans are used to.

Lastly I asked The Back Alley if they could choose any artist to tour with, who would it be and what would be their dream venue to play with them. Some of the artists the band named included the Backseat Lovers, Mt. Joy, The Lumineers, Peach Pit, Declan McKenna, and Flipturn. Two of their dream venues to play would be local Chicago venue The Salt Shed and Madison Square Garden. Before fully wrapping up the interview, I asked the band if they had any other announcements they wanted to share with fans. They said that they would be shortly announcing a fall acoustic tour that would be with just three of the members, while the other two would be touring with their other band, Axe and the Hatchetmen. See both of their Instagrams for tour dates.