Alt-Legend Kim Gordon Brings Play Me Tour to the Metro
Review and photos by: Shawna O’Hara, Editor
Gordon and her young band illuminated the legendary venue, backed by Chicago’s own The Fiery Furnaces
The legendary Kim Gordon visited Chicago’s Metro on Tuesday night on her PLAY ME Tour, quickly reminding concertgoers that she remains one of alternative music’s most forward-thinking artists. Throughout the evening, Gordon transformed Metro into a space where rock, electronic music, and visual art collided.
Thundering drums, danceable electronic rhythms, and bursts of laughter filled the room whenever Gordon addressed the audience, and as the backdrop shifted and her hypnotic melodies deepened, a palpable reverence settled over the crowd. At one point later in the set, the venue grew so quiet you could hear a can crumple and someone sneeze, all while fans continued swaying in an almost trance-like state.
Before Kim Gordon took the stage, Oak Park natives Eleanor and Matthew Friedberger, better known as The Fiery Furnaces, warmed up the crowd with a set that delighted longtime fans and won over newcomers.
Throughout the performance, audience members stretched and shifted to capture the duo on their phones as they delivered their signature spoken-word passages and delightfully unconventional arrangements. Their performance earned enthusiastic applause throughout, setting the tone for an evening built on experimentation.
By the time Gordon emerged, Metro had filled with a cross-generational audience, from Gen Z fans to those who had followed her since her Sonic Youth days. Grunge never truly left the building; Pearl Jam and Nirvana shirts, flannel, and combat boots could be found throughout the crowd. Gordon’s arrival was met with a roar that rivaled the opening crash of the drums.
As always, she commanded attention through quiet authority, unmistakable presence, and her signature dry wit. Between songs, Gordon offered brief banter and heartfelt thank-yous, keeping the music at the center of the evening. Backed by an exceptional young band, she delivered an immersive performance from beginning to end. Even more impressively, Gordon’s unmistakable voice has lost remarkably little over the decades.
Kim Gordon and company opened with “PLAY ME,” “GIRL WITH A LOOK,” and “NO HANDS,” the first three tracks from her latest album, immediately establishing the night’s sonic landscape. Heavy drums, electronic textures, haunting guitar work, and rhythmic, almost spoken-word vocals created a sound that felt simultaneously industrial, hypnotic, and unmistakably grunge. Groove-driven standouts like “Busy Bee” and the mesmerizing pulse of “Paprika Pony” showcased Gordon’s continued willingness to push forward creatively rather than revisit the past.
Visually, the performance proved just as captivating. Artful projections, dramatic shadow play, and vibrant lighting transformed the stage into something closer to a multimedia installation than a conventional rock concert. When Gordon briefly left the stage, the Metro erupted into sustained cheers that quickly brought the band back for an encore, a fitting response from an audience that seemed acutely aware they were witnessing a true pioneer still operating at the height of her creative powers.
Throughout the night, Gordon somehow seemed completely immersed in her own world while simultaneously connecting with everyone in the room. More than four decades into her career, she remains far more interested in reinvention than nostalgia, and Chicago was fortunate enough to witness it.
Gallery:
Kim Gordon Tour Dates:
Thu, JUN 25 – Summerfest 2026 – Milwaukee, WI
Thu, JUL 23 – Ogden Theatre – Denver, CO
Sat, JUL 25 – Neptune Theatre – Seattle, WA
Sun, JUL 26 – Revolution Hall – Portland, OR
Mon, JUL 27 – Hollywood Theatre – Vancouver, Canada
Wed, JUL 29 – The Castro Theatre – San Francisco, CA
Jul. 31 – Aug. 2nd, 2026 – FWB Fest 2026 – Idyllwild-pine Cove, CA
Sat, AUG 1 – Pacific Electric – Los Angeles, CA
Sun, AUG 2 – Pacific Electric – Los Angeles, CA
Fri, SEP 11 – The Opera House – Toronto, Canada
Sat, SEP 12 – Théâtre Beanfield – Montréal, Canada
Sun, SEP 13 – Paradise Rock Club – Boston, MA
Tue, SEP 15 – Warsaw – Brooklyn, NY
Wed, SEP 16 – Warsaw – Brooklyn, NY
Sep. 18 – 20, 2026 – Making Time 2026 – Philadelphia, PA
Fri, SEP 18 – Black Cat – Washington, DC
Sun, SEP 20 – Sea Hear Now 2026 – Asbury Park, NJ
Sun, SEP 20 – Sea.Hear.Now 2026 – Asbury Park, NJ
Read more reviews here!
Kim Gordon Links:
Official: https://kimaltheagordon.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimGordonOfficial/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimletgordon/
