Of Monsters and Men brings the ‘Mouse Parade’ to the Windy City

Chicago’s Salt Shed hosted indie-folk sensation Of Monsters and Men, Nov. 6, offering an intimate night of harmonious bliss for fans of the Icelandic group. 

Following the quintet’s release of their Oct. 17 album “All is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade,” the band’s setlist covered everything from their greatest hits to the most sentimental tracks on each of their four albums. 

The evening opened with the initial chords of “Television Love,” inspiring roars of cheers from the sea of people standing inside the Salt Shed.

“You guys are really loud, in a good way,” lead vocalist Ragnar Þórhallsson said to the awestruck crowd. 

The band pushed on to sing “Dream Team,” the second track off their newest album, keeping the crowd’s energy at a peak of excitement and awe. Melodious guitar strums blended beautifully with subtle keyboard phrases, providing fans with the song’s sonic radiance.

With a sudden throwback to their 2011 debut album “My Head is an Animal,” the group launched into popular track “King and Lionheart,” creating an eruption of joyous screams from every corner of the room.

“Howling ghosts, they reappear / In mountains that are stacked with fear / But you’re a king and I’m a lionheart,” lead vocalist Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir sang.

“Tuna In a Can” followed suit, introducing themes of strained relationships and heartbreaking loss with sensitive strums of acoustic guitars. Fans of all ages sang their hearts out to the emotive lyrics, creating a beautiful soundscape of voices throughout the Shed.

Building off the concept of loss, Hilmarsdóttir began to play the opening notes of “The Actor,” delivering the song’s tragic theme of failing to find fulfillment in a romance.

“Is it enough that I’m playing the part? / Is it enough that it’s breaking my heart?” Þórhallsson and Hilmarsdóttir sang.

Following the moving interlude, the crowd was gifted with additional musical throwbacks as the quintet burst into the rock-inspired “Human” and fan-favorite hit “Dirty Paws.” The room echoed cheers as fans jumped, vibed and danced to the heart-pounding beat of the drumkit, changing the concert’s mood from heartbreak to high energy.

Post dance break, the group stunned the audience with a haunting choral performance of “Mouse Parade” without the use of instruments or bright lights. 

“All is love / And pain, mouse parade,” the group sang.

The band’s witchy vibe continued throughout the next act of the show, with calmer, slower performances of “The Block,” “The Towering Skyscraper at the End of the Road” and “Barefoot in Snow.” The stage was set for strong displays of raw emotion, showcasing the true pain that resounds throughout the Mouse Parade era.

When the lights finally cut out and a prolonged silence dominated the space, the band exploded into the bright, well-known chords of “Little Talks.” The Salt Shed was filled with a unified sound, seemingly every fan scream-singing the classic lyrics they know all too well.

Pushing the show’s climaxing energy further, the band continued on to perform the second single off “All is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade,” “Ordinary Creature.” Flocks of loyal supporters swayed to the smooth sound of the keyboard, bringing out the group’s joy of performing in each of their faces.

“If you feel so moved, this is a great song to sing too,” Hilmarsdóttir said.

As a farewell, Of Monsters and Men close with the tracks “The End” and “Fruit Bat,” transporting the audience away from Chicago and into a strobe-lit world of pure musicality.  Hilmarsdóttir began walking through the audience as cheers and scream-sung lyrics exploded from fans.

After several handshakes, hugs and prolonged guitar instrumentals, the group gave a final bow and descended from the stage — seemingly leaving fans in a state of awe and wonder.

The Mouse Parade Tour had now come and gone, leaving Chicagoans with memories of the indie-folk sensation that would be hard to forget.