Daniel Seavey Soars at Vic Theatre with Second Wind

As the operatic lights illuminated the stage, indie pop artist Daniel Seavey took command of the Vic Theatre during his Second Wind tour in Chicago on April 7, leading the attendees on a breezy trek down memory lane. 

With his upcoming debut EP “a melancholic romcom” set to release May 16, kylekelly opened the night with a heartfelt set blending emotional lyrics with upbeat tones. Performing his new single “It Always Ends the Same” along with a tender cover of “Kiss Me,” the country folk singer drew cheers from the crowd. 

Alternative artist Sombr quickly followed, bringing charm to the stage with originals like “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind” and “Caroline.” He closed with fan-favorites “Undressed” and “Back to Friends.”

The theater fell dark once again as a hush overtook the crowd before a surge of blue light filled the venue while the opening notes of “Wave” echoed throughout the room. When the lights snapped back on, Daniel Seavey stood center stage, sending awaiting fans into a frenzy. With a wide grin, Seavey leaned into the mic as the opening song came to an end, offering a welcome to the awaiting Chicago crowd. 

“If you know the next one, go ahead and dance with me,” Seavey said, launching into “Sunny Isles.” 

The upbeat track, with its breezy rhythm and positive energy, kept momentum high and the crowd swaying along. 

“Now we’re dancing!” Seavey shouted as he jumped into “Second Wind” without hesitation. The infectious beat took over, driven by sharp guitar riffs and steady drums, emphasizing the song’s message of finding renewed strength. 

“I was lost and afraid / But you gave me a second wind,” he expressed. 

As “Gateway Drug” began, Seavey leapt into the crowd, disappearing into the sea of fans. 

“Just face it, baby, I’ll get you addicted to me — I’ll be your everything,” he sang, locking eyes with fans as they screamed the lyrics back.

Back on stage, Seavey followed up with “Blondes” and “Leave me alone,” maintaining the crowd’s livened energy with catchy hooks, and smooth vocals that had fans singing along. The smooth melodies of “Blondes” brought a playful, retro vibe, while “Leave Me Alone” dove into edgier tones with raw emotion. 

The mood instantly shifted to more serious and reflective when Seavey jokingly gave a “trigger warning” before introducing “I tried,” referencing lyrics that hinted at his former band, Why Don’t We. Using a looper pedal, he seamlessly layered the soft, tuneful strums of his guitar with the smooth, rich cello strings, creating cinematic sounds that filled the venue and highlighted his multi-instrumental talent. 

After the intimate moment, he performed “The Older You Get,” making his way into the crowd for the final song. 

“Cause you know your favorite band ain’t getting back together,” Seavey sang, ringing out as he exited. A line that hit especially hard for longtime fans.

“Guess that’s what happens the older you get,” he said with a quiet emphasis, letting the weight of the words settle.

“My dream has always been to play all the instruments I can play on the looper — almost like a one-man band,” Seavey said. “For the next part of the show, I’m gonna ask you guys for any song. It can be any song, and I want to cover the song.” 

Demonstrating his range on drums, cello, guitars and keys, Seavey launched into a lively cover of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.” Seavey then showcased the full range and emotional breadth of his vocals with a heartfelt rendition of Coldplay’s “Fix You.” His voice, rich with emotions and vulnerability, evoked a sense of authenticity impossible to ignore. 

During “Your light” and “Lose Me Like You Mean It,” Seavey’s voice intensified, pulling the audience in with each note. The soft, vulnerable “You Let me Down” contrasted with the energetic “Sleeping with the Lights On.”

Fans roared into screams when the notes of Why Don’t We’s “Fallin’” rang out. As the pop-rock song came to a close, Seavey remained offstage until the lights returned in a sudden glow on for “Runaway,” revealing Seavey in the balcony, his voice carrying throughout the venue.

The dreary “Nothing Compares” followed, then Seavey paused to gaze out at the sea of fans.

“I just want to say thank you guys so, so, so much for being here,” Seavey said. “You guys are really making my dreams come true.”

The sensitive finale lingered for a few minutes, but Seavey disrupted the moment to break into his encore of “Can We Pretend That We’re Good?” The heart-wrenching song drew fans back in with its infectious energy as “Other People” capped off the excitement. 

Closing out the night, Seavey jumped down to the barricade, hugging every fan close. Seavey’s stint in Chicago didn’t end in riotous music, but rather a tender moment between an artist and his lauding fans.