On April 22, I went to Uptown Chicago without a ticket in an attempt to see Hayley Williams. I figured it was worth a try to see if I could pick one up at the box office. Tickets were going online at resale for $240+. My husband and daughter had been to the first night, and their pics from the show as well as everything online made me realize I needed to at least try to see her.
My efforts were not in vain. I ended up getting to the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom in Uptown in time to be second in line at the box office, and after a two hour wait, picked one up at face value, made some friends and attended one of my favorite concerts to date. Not a bad outcome for a random Wednesday.
Hayley Williams is so lively and personable onstage. Watching her live felt like being a teen again, dancing around to your favorite album at a friend’s house. And it’s an amazing feeling going to a show where you know all of the lyrics and can sing with the rest of the crowd like a giant choir.
Her 90-minute set took the audience on a journey through Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party as she brought even more flair to each song live.
The album is truly a grungy work of art with a strong ’90s vibe, with the song vibes meeting somewhere between Garbage and Liz Phair.
The show opened with Mirtazapine. I love this song because Hayley was honest about the impact antidepressants have had on her. It’s upbeat, and explores how important medication can be for some people’s mental health.
Next up was “Ice in My OJ,” and the energy in the crowded ballroom somehow grew even more when Hayley screamed into a megaphone “I’m in a band” during the chorus, also adding “Fuck Ice” and “Free Palestine,” which was met with support from the crowd. Social commentary continued later on in the set with an almost haunting performance of “True Believer.”
I really enjoyed her live, raw rendition of “Glum,” which has become one of my favorites on the album.
Toward the end, “Good ’Ol Days” brought a soulful, R&B vibe. While the song has a happy feeling, it’s bittersweet and melancholy, telling the story of a relationship that did not work out (fans have made the connection on who most of the songs on this album are about, but I’m not here to debate that). That mood continued until the end of the show, which wrapped up with “Parachute.”
@djdennisou I’M IN A BAND! #HayleyWilliams #EgoDeath #EDAABP #Paramore #Music ♬ original sound – Damien Dennis
Night One
The aforementioned husband here to chime in with a bit of commentary about night one (and to provide photos+video).
TPM’s Nate Korczyk joined myself and our daughter for the Hayley Williams Bachelorette Party and had about as much fun as two straight, white 30-something year old males and a 6-year old child can have. Stephanie had helped the kiddo make bracelets which she proceeded to hand out to other fans as we waited for two hours for doors to open. We made friends with the people in line near us, sharing stories of concerts in Europe and more.
Once doors opened, Nate ran to the merch table while the kid and I found our spot: right up at the barricade and to the left. Security let me plop the child on the railing as she clung to me all night, watching her favorite artists (and mine too) as well as the opening band, Water From Your Eyes.
During “Whim” we were approached by someone with Hayley’s crew* that asked dad (me) if the kid wanted to hop over the barricade and shoot a video from the front-center. Spoiler: the video didn’t quite turn out well but the Hayley flashed a massive grin at the kid. That same crew member was later making faces at her from the balcony above and provided us with guitar picks.
Hayley brought out Mike Kinsella from American Football to sing along to “Parachute.”
This is Hayley Williams’ first-ever solo tour and these intimate venues have made for a magical experience. And since we’re a week late with getting this out, good news! Hayley is slowly announcing new dates at larger venues and more of her solo work.
— Damien Dennis, TPM
