Astrachan Amps Up The Hideout

^{Article by Ellie Kummer}

A few blocks off the North/Clybourn stop, tucked near the back of the street, one can hear the lively crowd at The Hideout. The intimate and cozy venue was full of life Friday night with performances from Cal in Red, Fetch Tiger, and Chicago local Astrachan. Folks were easily guided to the hidden spot by the twinkle of fairy lights and the sound of whimsical guitar. 

Opening the night, Cal in Red tore the crowd away from the bar and towards the stage with their powerful drums. Heavy with the responsibility of setting the mood, the band did not disappoint. Cal in Red performed a summery set, with some songs including bird noises for ambiance. Next up, Fetch Tiger came on stage with their latest release: “Wearing More Than Red”. Originally from London, the duo — Tanner Davis and Lorenzo Montali — performed with an indie-pop style containing elements of folk. Their set continued with a personal and melancholic song named “Flamethrower” from their 2023 EP. Montali expressed how the song was inspired by his mother’s immigration to the United States, making the standout piece even more powerful. Closing out with “Is It The Moon” from their recent album Walking to Camera, Fetch Tiger left the audience amped and ready for Astrachan to take the stage. 

In the last set of the night, Ben Astrachan hopped on stage with energy and excitement, pulling the crowd closer. In Ben’s words, his solo music project is a “meditation of love, adventure, and friendship!”. This describes his performance Friday night perfectly, as Astachan’s musical style does not fit one category. They played many songs from their new album Cleaner Than Clean, starting off with “Bad Man”. Ben’s strong vocals mashed with the whimsical rock style of the guitar and keyboard, creating a full, spirited sound. The group gave such an energetic performance, a power surge hit the lights and the stage went dark. Astrachan took this as a sign to amp up the performance even more, never missing a note while playing in the dark. The lights flickered on moments later, prompting the start of a crowd favorite: “Earthbound Train”. The moment Ben encouraged fans to dance, a disco illuminated the floor and the crowd started to sway. Astrachan carried the up-beat vibe with one last dance number “Paper Glue”, before winding down the evening. To close, the group performed one of the most memorable pieces of the night. The song “Wiggle” from Ben’s 2021 album Astrachan, was filled with jazzy undertones and a satisfying guitar solo. After the show, Astrachan hopped off the stage to mingle and share a night with fans at The Hideout. 

You can likely catch Ben Astrachan at a Chicago music venue. To follow upcoming show dates, join Astrachan’s newsletter for the latest announcements. You can find Cal In Red, Fetch Tiger, and Astrachan on Spotify or wherever you stream music!