Gogol Bordello are from New York City. Tonight, they are playing at the Concord Music Hall in Chicago. 

Midway into their set, they play “Wanderlust King” from their 2007 album, Super Taranta! This is such a fun song that gets the audience jumping up and down and singing along. “I’m a wanderlust king / I stay on the run, let me out, let me be gone”. 

Towards the end of the set, they play “Start Wearing Purple” from their 2005 album, Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike. This is their most popular song on Spotify with over 25 million streams.  This album was recorded in Chicago with Steve Albini. The story comes from when Eugene, the leader singer, had just moved in with girlfriend. An old crazy woman who always wore purple was their neighbor. Whenever his girlfriend would scream at him, he would say, “who don’t you start wearing purple?” 

To start the encore, Eugene plays “Alcohol”, because if he doesn’t, he’ll have to play it for fans in the parking lot, even if it is 20 degrees. “Just to thank you one more time for everything you’ve done / Alcohol, alcohol”. 

At the end of the night, Eugene says he’d like to play for another hour. But, everyone will just have to come see them at Riot Fest instead! 

See a similar setlist here. 

Check out our review of their documentary tour here.

Cost of a ticket: $45

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Good Value

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

Quinn Delaney