Aragon Ballroom reverted to a space dedicated for dance as pop singer Remi Wolf offered up all the “Big Ideas” from her sophomore album Sept. 19.
Aragon Ballroom reverted to a space dedicated for dance as pop singer Remi Wolf offered up all the “Big Ideas” from her sophomore album Sept. 19.
Aragon Ballroom reverted to a space dedicated for dance as pop singer Remi Wolf offered up all the “Big Ideas” from her sophomore album Sept. 19.
Fans overflowed up the venue’s stairwells as psychedelic pop singer Lava La Rue began their opening set for Wolf’s sold out Chicago show.
Cutting through clouds of smoke, La Rue kicked off the night with “Better.” Matching funk beats with dreamy lyricism, La Rue’s otherworldly sound quickly caught the audience’s attention.
Electronic dissonance became a hallmark for tracks “Manifestation Manifesto” and “Hi-Fidelity,” with the songs’ intense bass overpowering La Rue’s lackluster stage presence.
Their introduction of themselves was the icebreaker La Rue needed to connect with the crowd.
“Let’s make a pact,” La Rue said. “I’ll show you how we get down in London, if you show me how you do it in Chicago.”
As La Rue left the stage, a recording of Wolf’s voice spoke to the crowd like a friend leaving a voicemail. Promising a signed set list to one fan, the message encouraged the crowd to text Wolf to get involved with Planned Parenthood.
Ambient fog spread over the room as the six-person band walked out onto risers. The crowd’s anticipation erupted into cheers when the fog cleared and Wolf was standing at the mic.
“Yeah, I got no self control / Halloween in Chicago / I kissed you all night like at the Empty Bottle,” Wolf sang in her opening psychedelic pop song “Cherries & Cream.”
Wolf continued with “Cinderella” as the audience’s introduction to her disco-pop sound. Pairing danceable beats with quippy lyrics, she ran back-and-forth across the stage, as if preparing for a marathon.
The singer then showcased the vulnerability of “Big Ideas” as she cleverly matched ‘70s beats with raw lyrics alluding to her history with addiction in “Pitiful.”
“I love my wine / He is my friend / When we go out he is holding my hand,” Wolf sang.
As the last notes played, Wolf instructed the crowd to participate in the music, mimicking Freddie Mercury by yelling out notes for the fans to echo back.
She then diverged into an older, pseudo R&B track, “Liz” — a single released in 2021 and then re-released as part of the deluxe version of “Juno,” her debut album. While showing off her vocals, the track’s age left only her die-hard fans singing along.
However, Wolf quickly moved back to higher energy tracks with “Kangaroo.” Dancing across the stage, the singer’s infectious spirit took over as cowbells rang and the crowd jumped along to the beat.
Pausing to briefly introduce the next song, Wolf explained the track was based on a “crazy” experience she had in Florida. Lights flashed as snare drums signaled the start of “Alone in Miami.”
“Met up with Maine / Bought cocaine / Clothes in the lobby waiting for me / And I’m on the list with that girl I kissed,” Wolf sang.
“Sexy Villain” and “Anthony Kiedis” from “Juno” followed, demonstrating her growth in vocal technique, as the tracks lack belting. While crowd favorites, the songs exhibited a cookie-cutter indie-pop sound, paling in comparison to the mature sound and vulnerable lyrics Wolf cultivates on “Big Ideas.”
Wolf summoned further crowd participation by asking the audience for a word and key to create an improvised song. Selected fans choose the word “percussion” and A-flat minor for Wolf’s off-the-cuff song.
Wolf belted out vocal runs and high notes to a drum heavy beat while singing about shaking her medicine bottles.
Slowing down for the first time that night, Wolf seamlessly transitioned into “Motorcycle.” Her graceful voice displayed candid emotion, as she toyed with the idea of a traditional quiet life versus embracing her wild side.
“I could kiss your forehead / Send you down the doorstep / Say goodbye and get right on my motorcycle,” Wolf sang.
A single drum beat played and Wolf and her band began dancing in unison to the opening notes of “Toro.” Wolf’s candid lyricism brought the erotic nature of the track to the forefront — letting sexual liberation reign.
“You’re so heavy / I’m horny and I’m not worried about the sound / We’re waking up the people down the hall,” Wolf sang.
The singer bowed as the lights went dark. Before she could leave, the stage lit back up and Wolf re-energized fans with “Disco Man,” followed by “Soup.”
Eccentric and refreshingly honest, the performance of “Big Ideas” staked Wolf’s claim as a rising force in the modern soul sound.
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