From Austin to Chicago - The 4411 returns to the windy city for another sold-out show on their Haven’t Seen You in So Long Tour
On Saturday, Sep.19, The 4411 brought their Texas charm to Chicago, IL to perform for a sold-out crowd at Schubus Tavern.
Photo by: Sam Lyon
Not only was this my first time seeing The 4411, but it was also my first time attending a show at Schubas Tavern. Tucked inconspicuously in the back of the bar is an intimate music hall that proved to be the perfect setting for the night. It is, in every sense, a cool little hole-in-the-wall venue—small enough to feel personal, but with an atmosphere that makes it easy to understand why artists and audiences keep coming back.
Supporting local musicians is not lost on the people of Chicago, and that was made clear by the crowd’s energy during Runner and Bobby’s opening performance. There is nothing I love more than watching an opening act perform for an already packed room and receive the same enthusiasm and energy typically reserved for the headliner. The indie rock band was the perfect start to the night. Their stage presence exuded comfort and confidence; this stage was their home turf, and this crowd was their people.
Photo by: Sam Lyon
What would the Haven’t Seen You in So Long Tour be without opening the show with the first song of the EP it’s named after? The minute the opening notes of “Oak Trees” filled the room, the energy of the crowd heightened and stayed there throughout the night.The setlist also included an unreleased song and a spirited cover of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' “American Girl,” a natural crowd-pleaser that gave the audience another chance to sing along.
Photo by: Sam Lyon
Early on, Cogan McBride, the band’s lead singer, acknowledged that he was losing his voice. It was an admission that could have introduced an element of uncertainty into the evening.Instead, he assured the crowd that he would give them everything he had, and that he did.
By the time the crowd was calling for one final song, the limitations of McBride’s voice were impossible to ignore. Rather than trying to disguise the problem or push through it at the expense of their closing song “Sunset Calling”, he would laugh when his voice gave out and take a backseat as the crowd continued to sing the lyrics without missing a beat.
Photo by: Sam Lyon
Rather than disappearing immediately after their set, the members stayed at the venue to meet and speak with the people who had come out to see them. That gesture may seem small, but in an era when the distance between artists and audiences can feel increasingly manufactured, it carried weight.
To me, it says something meaningful about the quality of their character. The 4411 didn't simply show up, perform, and leave. They made time for the people who chose to spend their Saturday night listening to them and for a first experience seeing the band, it was difficult to imagine a better introduction.
This Novemeber, The 4411 will be joining West 22nd on thier fall tour. Check out The 4411 wherever you stream your music and find out if they're coming to a city near you!
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Photos by: Sam Lyon
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