Prime Punk from Down Under: Radio Free Alice’s Chicago Debut
Article by Andromeda Nerge
Tuesday, September 23 spelled big news for Chicago’s post-punk fans, as Melbourne-based band Radio Free Alice made their Chicago debut at Schubas.
Preceding the show, the band Zastava played a set, clearly setting the mood with their intense alternative sound. Hailing from Detroit, the rock quartet brought a frenzied noise-rock performance to the stage, playing songs from their newest album, Buildings, and stirring up a decent headbanging in the audience.
After the punchy opening performance, the crowd at Schubas was buzzing with energy for the main event; punk/rock band Radio Free Alice’s first show EVER in Chicago. Those familiar with Schubas tavern venue know the intimate nature of the wood-framed walls and great acoustics, and Radio Free Alice certainly drew in quite the crowd to fill in the cozy space. The band, nearing the end of their first Canada/US tour, was composed, bordering stoic, setting up under deep red stage lights. Matching in brooding dark button-ups, the members of Radio Free Alice embodied their band’s cool post-punk identity as they began their set with a bang.
Pulling predominantly from their popular 2023 self-titled album as well as their newest EP ‘Empty Words’, Radio Free Alice, led by lead singer Noah Learmonth, delivered exceptionally clear, rhythmic music to the eager crowd. The fast-paced set consisted of catchy melodies punched through by electric guitar riffs, gritty vocals, and intermittent saxophone giving the music an indie-rock feel with a distinct punk edge. In addition to most of the packed audience singing and dancing along to the band’s most popular songs ‘Paris is Gone’ and ‘Look What You’ve Done,’ there were certainly die-hard fans in the audience, a testament to the Australian band’s reach into the American indie-punk scene. Although the band only debuted in 2020 with their single ‘Square,’ the allure and popularity of Radio Free Alice has only continued to grow, as has the band's discography, with the release of their new EP August 20th.
With an energetic and virtuosic sound, Radio Free Alice certainly has a future ahead of them. Their music covers broad categories of indie-rock, alternative, and punk, making it easy for fans with diverse tastes to enjoy their music. In combination with their too-cool quality of performance, it is not unrealistic that we will be seeing much more of them in the future. Here's to hoping we will see Radio Free Alice back in Chicago soon, bringing us more killer punk from down under.