The Front Bottoms Give the House of Blues a New Outlook
Article by Madison Luongo, photos by Finley Harrison
The excitement and anticipation of the crowd for the night’s performance is made evident in the line circling around the House of Blues that can be made out from a block away. The House of Blues is a staple music venue in Chicago and has housed countless acts big and small, with tonight’s performers being rock band The Front Bottoms with support from Eliza & The Delusionals.
Since September 12th, The Front Bottoms, consisting of lead vocalist/guitarist Brian Sella and drummer Mat Uychich, have been on the Finding Your Way Home Tour, the second tour to come out of the release of their 2023 album You Are Who You Hang Out With. In contrast to the band’s prior albums, their most recent release utilizes a softer rock sound and embraces the use of both acoustic guitar and strong autotune on Sella’s vocals, two things the band has done in previous releases but have upped the anty with in this latest work. Starting in Boston, Massachusetts, the New Jersey-native band has been working its way across the country on the Finding Your Way Home Tour and has finally landed in the Windy City for two shows, October 22nd and 23rd, at the House of Blues.
Approximately 15 minutes after doors opened to the venue at 7 P.M. supporting band Eliza & The Delusionals entered the stage. Consisting of three members from Australia, the band provided a more laid-back rock sound than the headlining act usually delivers, primarily due to the soft vocals of the group’s lead singer. The band played several of their own original songs such as “Just Exist,” “Lately,” and “Madison” along with playing a cover of Phoebe Bridgers’ “Motion Sickness,” which was executed exceptionally due to the combination of the song with the voice of the band’s lead singer. Upon leaving the band received an abundance of love and support from the crowd and finally left after a 30 minute set, leaving the stage ready to be adjusted for the night’s headlining act.
Soon after the opening act left the stage the stage lights went dark and Sella and Uychich entered, with a supporting concert band of three following behind them. On the last two tours for You Are Who You Hang Out With, The Front Bottoms has played a seemingly random setlist for every show, with every night’s lineup consisting of primarily different selection of songs save for a few of their best hits. On the night of October 22nd, the band opened with “Raining” from their 2017 album Going Grey. The band continued to play tracks that spanned their entire discography such as “West Virginia,” “Maps,” and “Paris.” Between songs frontman Brian Sella would interact with the crowd, complimenting fan’s outfits and costumes and even taking hats from the audience to wear. Naturally, the band played quite a few songs from their most recent album such as “Punching Bag,” “Outlook,” “Emotional,” and “Finding Your Way Home,” which was their final song.
However, after a round of passionate cheers from the crowd the band returned and played “Au Revoir (Adios)” and “leaf pile.” The group officially ended the night with a performance of their most popular song “Twin Size Mattress,” a song that holds a special place in any The Front Bottoms fan’s heart. The singing of the audience to the song’s bridge felt like a cathartic experience shared throughout the entire House of Blues. Brian Sella thanked the audience as he and the rest of the band left the stage, ready to do it all over again the next day.