Bleachers Delivers an Unforgettable Sold-Out Opening Night at Chicago’s Salt Shed

On Friday, rock band Bleachers kicked off their Bleachers Forever Tour with a sold out show at The Salt Shed, marking the beginning of summer concert season in Chicago. It was a beautiful, sunny day with just the right amount of wind to cool you off; the perfect environment to enjoy The Salt Shed’s outdoor venue. The audience consisted of all ages: from kids to the elderly, from friends to families to dates- a testament to Bleachers’ ability to appeal to an intergenerational audience through timeless genres like rock, indie pop, and new wave. Conversation interjected the delicious smells coming from various food vendors as people continue to spill in.

Opening the show was Momo Boyd, a rising singer-songwriter whose blend of country, pop, and driving rhythms energized the crowd. Boyd opened her set by singing songs like “She’s A Sweetheart” from her debut EP, Miss Michigan. Fronting her band with guitar in hand, Boyd showcased a powerful voice that occasionally recalled Dolores O’Riordan of The Cranberries, effortlessly moving between delicate storytelling and soaring choruses.

Then, Boyd paid tribute to one of her inspirations, singing a cover of “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac. Her rendition showcased her immense vocal talent, delivering the best vocal performance of the night. In addition to her solo career, Boyd is also part of a band with her siblings called Infinity Song. Boyd performed their viral hit “Hater’s Anthem.” She ended her set on a special note by inviting Mikey Freedom Heart to perform the song “Strong,” one that they wrote together.

As the crew prepared a stage for Bleachers, a grand stage setup was revealed behind a black curtain that consisted of various wooden platforms stacked upon each other; big vertical lightbulbs, and three portraits hung up right next to each other. As the grand finale of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” came, Bleachers was suddenly on stage and playing. The band members were scattered across the platforms, seemingly each in his own world yet working in unison to deliver the first song of the night, “Sideways,” off of their most recent album, “everyone for ten minutes”.

Bleachers’ greatest strength has always been the connection to its audience, and that bond was on full display throughout the night. Jack Antonoff moved effortlessly between high-energy performances and heartfelt conversations with the crowd. With every song that came, the audience seemed to know exactly when to come in for a chant or a catchy lyric, almost as if it were planned. This perhaps reveals that fan participation is a large part of what makes Bleachers sound like they do. At one point, Antonoff paused to tell the crowd they were the “best fucking audience ever,” a statement met with deafening cheers from fans.

The set showcased the diverse musical influences that have also defined Bleachers’ sound over the years. Anthemic rock, power-pop hooks, personal indie pop lyrics, and even moments of electronic experimentation blended seamlessly throughout the evening. One notable example came during “We Should Talk,” where the use of autotune added an unexpected layer to the performance while highlighting the band’s willingness to embrace different sonic textures.

As the sun began to set, Bleachers launched into “You and Forever,” creating one of the night’s most euphoric moments as fans danced and sang beneath the setting sun. Another highlight came during a beautiful saxophone duet that brought one song to a stirring conclusion, reminding everyone why the instrument has become such an essential part of the band’s live identity.

The set ended with fan favorites such as a stripped-down performance of “Margaret,” a Lana Del Rey song on which Bleachers is featured; “Don’t Take the Money,” and of course, the hit that launched them into mainstream fame, “I Wanna Get Better.” Antonoff reflected on the band’s long history with Chicago, recounting the various venues Bleachers had played over the years and explaining why the city continues to hold such a special place in the band’s story.

His affection for Chicago was genuine, culminating in one of the night’s most memorable declarations: “Chicago and Bleachers forever. It’s in my heart, for real.” In a concert filled with sing-alongs, celebration, and catharsis, a moment perfectly captured the mutual admiration between the band and the city.

Gallery:

Just released! Bleachers – Live From The Stone Pony (YouTube Music Nights) – Watch it right here!

Bleachers Tour Dates:

Fri, June 05 – Salt Shed Fairgrounds – Chicago, IL (Sold Out)

Fri, June 07 – Salt Shed Fairgrounds – Chicago, IL TICKETS

Tue, June 09 – RBC Amphitheater – Toronto, ON

Wed, June 10 – Mtelus – Montreal, QC

Fri, June 12 – Merriweather Post Pavilion – Columbia, MD

Sat, June 13 – TD Pavilion At Highmark Mann – Philadelphia, PA

Tue, June 16 – MGM Music Hall At Fenway – Boston, MA (Sold Out)

Wed, June 17 – MGM Music Hall At Fenway – Boston, MA

Sat, June 20 – Cmac – Canandaigua, NY

Tue, June 23 – Madison Square Garden – New York, NY

Fri, Aug 28 – Shadow Of The City – Asbury Park, NJ

Thu, September 10 – The Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA

Fri, September 11 – The Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA

Sat, September 12 – The Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA

Mon, September 14 – The Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA

Tue, September 15 – The Troubador – Los Angeles, CA

Thu, September 17 – Greek Theatre – Berkeley, CA

Sat, September 19 – Dune Peninsula – Tacoma, WA

Sun, September 20 – Hayden Homes Amphitheater – Bend, OR

Wed, September 23 – Red Rocks Amphitheater – Denver, CO

Fri, September 25 – Vibrant Music Hall – Waukee, IA

Sat, September 26 – The Armory – Minneapolis, MN

Sun, September 27 – Landmark Credit Union Live – Milwaukee, WI

Tue, September 29 – Michigan Lottery Amphitheater – Sterling Heights, MI

Wed, September 30 – The Andrew J Brady Music Center – Cincinnati, OH

Sat, October 03 – Austin City Limits – Austin, TX

Mon, October 05 – Coca Cola Roxy – Atlanta, GA

Tue, October 06 – Red Hat Amphitheater – Raleigh, NC

Thu, October 08 – The Truth – Nashville, TN

Sat, October 10 – Austin City Limits – Austin, TX

Thu, November 05 – Alcatraz – Milan, IT

Sat, November 07 – Tonhalle – Munich, DE

Mon, November 09 – Columbiahalle – Berlin, DE

Tue, November 10 – Columbiahalle – Berlin, DE

Thu, November 12 – Sentrum Scene – Oslo, NO

Fri, November 13 – Annexet – Stockholm, SE

Sun, November 15 – Sporthalle – Hamburg, DE

Tue, November 17 – Paradiso – Amsterdam, NL

Wed, November 18 – Paradiso – Amsterdam, NL

Fri, November 20 – Cirque Royal – Brussels, BE

Sat, November 21 – Salle Pleyel – Paris, FR

Tue, November 24 – O2 Academy – Bristol, UK

Wed, November 25 – O2 Academy – Glasgow, UK

Thu, November 26 – O2 Academy – Leeds, UK

Sat, November 28 – O2 Academy – Birmingham, UK

Mon, November 30 – 3Olympia – Dublin, IE

Wed, December 02 – O2 Apollo – Manchester, UK

Thu, December 03 – Eventim Apollo – London, UK

Links:

Bleachers:

Official: https://bleachersmusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bleachersmusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bleachersmusic/

Momo Boyd:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@momoboyd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momoboyd/

Satl Shed:

Official: https://www.saltshedchicago.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saltshedchicago
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltshedchicago/

Wendy Davis:

Official: https://wdavisphoto.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wdavisphoto/

Cara Col:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caracolbajosol/

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Bleachers Delivers an Unforgettable Sold-Out Opening Night at Chicago’s Salt Shed