Kishi Bashi first played with the Chicago Philharmonic on April 15, 2023 at the Harris Theatre. They invited him back this year, and he happily accepted. 

Late in the set, they play “Icarus IV” from last year’s album, Kantos. It sounds much different with an orchestra than on the album, but it’s still a great performance. “I want to fly a littler higher, a little lighter, I want run away / I want to float a little farther, a little faster with you”. It’s an epic journey song that would fit right in on a video game soundtrack. 

They didn’t play the best song from his new album, “Lilliputian Chop”. Here’s hoping that he plays it the next time he is in Chicago. 

Next up, they play “Honeybody” from his 2016 album, Sonderlust. This is such a fun song that has everyone bouncing around joyfully. “Oh Honeybody whatcha doing Sunday?
maybe sipping the coca cola with me, babe.”

In the encore, they play “This Must Be the Place” by the Talking Heads from their 1983 album, Speaking in Tongues. “Hi yo, I got plenty of time / Hi yo, you got light in your eyes / And you’re standing here beside me”. This is a fantastic choice and it sounds amazing with the philharmonic. 

For the final song of the night, he plays “Violin Tsunami” from 2019’s Omoiyari. He loops his violion to create, just as the title says, a tsumani of violin! It’s a great close to an excellent night of music!  

Check out our review of Tall Tall Trees opening for Kishi Bashi in April 2022 here. 

See the full setlist here. 

Cost of a ticket: $96

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It –

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

Quinn Delaney