The Stews Electrify Lincoln Hall
Article and photos by Grace Wallace
Friends and fans gathered in Chicago’s Lincoln Hall this past Wednesday chatting and waiting in anticipation for the night’s show: The Stews. Formed at Auburn University, the four-piece group is made up of Preston Hall on lead vocals and guitar, Blake Dobbs on guitar, Bennett Baugus on bass, and Wyatt Griffith on drums. The performance, a stop for their tour of newly released album Chicken Fight, marks their third time in Chicago.
The show kicked off with a set by The Back Alley, a Chicago-based band consisting of lead Ralph Porter, guitarists Sal Defilippis and Jaden Cone, bassist Hunter Olshefke, and drummer Ben Peppler. Their indie-rock sound was the perfect start for the night, engaging the room through songs like “Flower Girl,” where the crowd joined in on the lines of “la la la la la la,” and “A Man On The Loose,” the room glimmering as concertgoers raised their flashlights and swayed along. From a duo guitar moment between Defilippis and Cone, to hands in the air during the closing song, “Gump,” The Back Alley’s set was magnetic, leaving Lincoln Hall in high spirits for the night’s main set.
As The Stews made their way on stage later, concertgoers erupted. “Great to be back in my favorite city,” said lead Preston Hall amongst the cheers. The band then broke out into tracks off their new album, like “Buried Alive,” enrapturing fans through their contagious stage presence. Even when things slowed down, the crowd was still locked in, swaying along during songs like “What Was,” featuring a dreamy guitar opening. Increasingly throughout the night, dragged-out “stews” filled the air, showing just how strong the Chicago fan base is, and how the band’s passion for their music carried over to the crowd. This vibe was sustained throughout the night, with the entire room singing along and clapping to the finale (and fan-favorite) song, “Make it Out,” as Hall hyped up the crowd, saying “Let me hear you, Chicago!” The encore, “9-5” especially stood out, opening with Baugus on bass with Dobbs and Hall filing in, and later featuring an unreal drum solo by Griffith.
The energy in Lincoln Hall this evening was truly electric. As an indie-rock lover, it’s always a treat discovering new bands to listen to, but even more so when their live performance is as addicting and exciting to attend as this one was. The Stews had a perfect balance of high- energy rock and artsy, indie moments that created an incredible live experience. To say I look forward to their Windy City return really would be an understatement. In the meantime, their music, along with The Back Alley’s, can be found on streaming platforms.
Listen to The Stews on Spotify below!