From Sinaloa to Chicago: Bratty's US Tour Hits Subterranean
A cool night whisked people to see Bratty perform at the Subterranean in Wicker Park. I secured a spot along the second floor balcony where I was able to have a clear view of the stage and the impeccably dressed crowd.
A self described morra culichi, Bratty (aka Jenny Juárez) is swiftly emerging as a notable artist from Sinaloa, Mexico. Her music seamlessly blends elements of indie pop with the nostalgic charm of early 2000s Mexican pop. With the release of her third album TRES in November 2023, Bratty embarked on her first ever US headline tour to perform her new sound.
Mei Semones opened the show solo, armed only with a guitar and the prospects of her new song "Tegami" being released later that night. Although she was soft-spoken, her voice was strong and along with her haunting melodies and heartfelt Japanese lyrics, mesmerized the audience. She switched from electric to an acoustic set, all the while gazing longingly at the memories of the songs she’d written. By the end of her set, Mei had showcased her raw talent and left a lasting impression on everyone.
As time got closer to the beginning of Bratty’s set, the size of the crowd had grown significantly, mirroring the anticipation in the venue. All of a sudden the lights dimmed and the crowd roared as "Radio" began to play and Bratty appeared. The first chords of the guitar reverberated throughout the venue, and as she sang, the faces of those in the audience gleamed with joy. The green lights along with the unmistakable energy of surf rock in the air, it felt as if the show took place by the ocean, each note crashing like a wave against the shore.
After a few songs, Bratty stopped to take a sip of her water. Speaking to the audience in Spanish she introduced herself as well as the next song "Quédate" from her first album.The atmosphere shifted as the tempo slowed, and she made a deliberate move to grab the microphone from its stand to sit in front of the stage. This subtle yet significant gesture served to deepen the connection between Bratty and her audience, inviting them into her world in a more vulnerable way. Of course, fans were eager to participate in some way and as they turned on their flashlights to move to the music, it was clear how well Bratty was able to connect with her fans. Multiple times throughout the show, fans shouted Viva Mexico! It was clear that even though Bratty was far from home, the fans welcomed her as one of their own.
Bratty bid the audience farewell, but fans continuously screamed otra! the Spanish word for encore was chanted, and so she was brought back to perform her last two songs of the night, "Honey, No Estás" and "La Última Vez." While this marked the final show of her US tour leg, Bratty is set to perform in Chile on March 15 and in Mexico on March 16 and 29, rounding out her tour with a flourish.
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