Glixen Shines Bright at Schubas
Article by Ciara Rose Belfiore
Forest is an artist who makes self-described “girl-gaze alt-rock." They split their time between Los Angeles and Chicago, making Schubas their Chicago return. Forest talked about how special it was to play Schubas and have their parents present at the show. In addition to performing songs from their latest EP Intravenous French Kiss and their 2023 single “Porno”, the band also performed music from their upcoming album. Though rooted in a shoegaze and alt-rock sound, Forest often calls to mind somewhat of a Riot Grrrl sensibility. They finished their set with their 2023 single, “Bodies."
Minneapolis-based dream-gaze, She’s Green, is comprised of vocalist Zofia Smith, guitarists Liam Armstrong and Raines Lucas, bassist Teddy Nordvold, and drummer Kevin Seebeck.
They take the stage wearing various band shirts, but Nordvold sticks out in particular, sporting a shirt from Chicago indie-rock outfit, Friko, to who he gives a shout-out. The band’s dreamy shoegaze calls to mind influences like the Cocteau Twins. They finished their set with two fan-favorites, their 2022 single “smile again” and “Mandy” from 2023 EP Wisteria.
NY and London-based artist, Suzy Clue, brings a 2000s cool girl energy to her shoe gaze, somewhat akin to Sabrina Fuentes of Pretty Sick. Suzy Clue is fairly new on the scene, with only 2 singles presently released on streaming. She performed her 2023 single “Remember Me” which touches on heartbreak, in addition to her most recent single “Holy Touch." Suzy Clue veers towards an almost post-hardcore sound at times, employing screaming vocals and heavy guitar riffs. Though newer to the scene, Suzy Clue brings an exciting energy and is for sure one to watch.
Glixen is made up of lead vocalist/guitarist Aislinn Ritchie lead guitarist Esteban Santana, drummer Keire Johnson, and bassist Sonia Garcia. This was their second time playing in Chicago, and first headline tour, making it incredibly special that they sold out Schubas, which the band expressed their gratitude for. They kicked off their set with “Splendor,” a track from their 2023 EP She Only Said. Glixen takes inspiration from shoegaze classic, My Bloody Valentine.
Ritchie took several opportunities to interact with the crowd, for one song she got rid of her guitar and opted to sit on the edge of the stage. The band performed "Sugarcube," the first single they ever released, which they said they’ve performed live for the first time on their current tour. In classic shoegaze fashion, Glixen ends the show with an instrumental track. Their guitars produce a heavy drone that fades in and out, the stage lights turn red and they build, and build till it finally crescendos.
Shoegaze has always had a fair amount of female influence like Bilinda Butcher and Debbie Googe from My Bloody Valentine, or Paula Kelly from the Drop Nineteens, the list could go on. However, it felt particularly special to see a shoegaze lineup of entirely female-fronted bands. They all bring something different to the table, each occupying a unique space in the genre. I think this marks a unique shift not only in the music scene but particularly in shoegaze. Girls get to see someone that looks like them from their favorite band, and that’s definitely not something to take for granted. Women can not only be part of the band, they can be the lead singer.