Article and Photos by Liliah Teniente
As a light mist settled over Lincoln Park on a Wednesday night, a crowd of devoted fans wrapped around Lincoln Hall in anticipation of She’s Green. The rain-soaked evening provided the perfect backdrop for a night of dreamy guitars, atmospheric melodies, and shared moments with friends. She’s Green is an independent alternative band based in Minneapolis, consisting of lead vocalist Zofia Smith, drummer Kevin Seebeck, bassist Tedd Nordwold, and guitarists Liam Armstrong and Raines Lucas. The band is currently on their first U.S. headlining tour, with several supporting artists joining them along the way, including Starling and Witches Exist in Chicago.
When Starling took the stage, they wasted no time establishing their identity to the crowd. The Los Angeles-based alternative band is fronted by singer and guitarist Kasha Souter Willet. Joined by Erik Sathrum Johnson, Grace Rolek, and Gitai Vinshtok in 2024, the group released their debut EP that same year. From behind the drum kit, Erik Sathrum Johnson anchored the performance, allowing the other members to shine. Bassist Grace Rolek brought a calm, understated presence while effortlessly complementing the guitars and dreamy atmosphere. Guitarist Gitai Vinshtok added depth to the performance with riffs that created an immersive sound. A standout moment from their set came during "See the Water," where both Vinshtok and Willet showcased the duality of their voices. The blue and purple lights behind the band complemented their alternative shoegaze sound, turning the stage into a dreamlike scene. Beyond the music, the band’s chemistry with the audience was on full display. Willet jokingly called out the crowd for not dancing, drawing laughs from the room. By the end of the set, the audience got the message, prompting Willet to say, “Wednesday is the new Friday.” For anyone looking for an up-and-coming shoegaze band to add to their playlists, Starling should be on their radar.
Shortly after Starling finished their set, Austin-based alternative band Witches Exist, consisting of Jackson Baker, Jimmy Mercado, Anthony Day, and Derek Ivy, took the stage. The four-piece group wasted little time on introductions, letting their music do most of the talking. From the moment they stepped under the lights, they carried themselves with a confidence that made it clear they knew exactly who they were as a band. The crowd matched their energy, moving and dancing along to every song. A crowd favorite was “Pyre,” which had fans completely locked into the performance.
With patches of grass decorating the stage and speakers, She’s Green transformed Lincoln Hall into their own world. The band emerged under a wash of red lights and kicked off their set with “locket,” instantly captivating the audience. Zofia Smith’s vocals floated through the venue as the crowd swayed along, fully immersed in the band’s signature blend of dreamy alternative sounds and shoegaze. During the song, faint voices from the crowd could be heard singing along, creating a chorus that only emphasized Smith’s presence onstage. The energy carried into the next songs, “keeper” and “purple.” During “purple,” guitarists Liam Armstrong and Raines Lucas commanded the stage, showing off the intricate melodies and riffs that highlighted the band’s dynamic. Armstrong and Lucas added another layer of depth to the performance, drawing cheers from the audience.
A few songs into the set, the band paused to reflect on the significance of “river,” sharing that it is a song they rarely perform live and one that played a crucial role in their journey. According to the band, without “river,” She’s Green would not be where they are today. The announcement was met with excitement from the audience, and as the song began, gasps and cheers could be heard from fans who had long hoped to experience it live.
Next came “willow,” one of She’s Green’s beloved tracks. Bathed in red and green lights, the band moved effortlessly through the song, their tight-knit performance and lush sound creating a dreamlike atmosphere that made the audience feel transported to another world. Later in the set, the band shared some playful banter with the crowd, joking that they would restart a song if everyone wasn’t jumping. To the audience’s surprise, they stayed true to their word. On the second attempt, the room erupted as fans jumped together in unison, creating a memorable moment. The energy reached another level when a fan crowd-surfed their way to the front of the stage.
She’s Green ended their set with “close your eyes,” bringing the night to an emotional and fitting conclusion. The band’s dreamy guitars and stage presence left the crowd fully immersed until the very last note. As the final chords echoed through Lincoln Hall, it was clear why She’s Green has become one of the most exciting rising names in the shoegaze and alternative scene.
