Dan Layus, the lead singer, has a huge smile on his face for the entire show. He is thrilled to be on tour with his band.  The last few times in Chicago, he just played solo. Not long ago, he thought he would have to give up playing music professionally. He wrote the title track of the new album, Something Beautiful, about that thought. “Close to letting go, so one last time / Just let me hold this note and close my eyes /  ‘Cause I’m watching something beautiful die.” It’s a beautifully sad song that has Dan putting his heart into the lyrics.

Midway into the set, they play “Fire”. Layus only recently learned that this song almost didn’t make it on the album because the producer and the label didn’t think it fit in well. This album, Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt (2008) hit #2 on the charts.

Later on they play the fantastic “Steal Your Heart”. “Our love is like an ocean / Take it down to the depths / And I’m taking you with me / Taking every step to steal your heart / Gonna steal your heart away / I’m gonna steal your heart.” It’s a giant sing-along in Park West.

To start the encore, Layus says “Let’s play some Dad rock – old Augustana songs!”

To introduce the next song, he sits down at the keyboard and says he wrote this song over 20 years ago! This single, “Boston”, from 2005, hit #10 on the Adult Top 40. The audience is delighted as they sing along. “She said I think I’ll go to Boston / I think I’ll start a new life / I think I’ll start it over / Where no one knows my name”. After they finish playing it, the audience gives the band a long and loud applause.

Cost of a ticket: $36

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Exceptional Value –

Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Discounted > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

See the full setlist here.

Quinn Delaney