Band of Silver is the opener tonight. A few songs in, they play their 2020 single “Hello Sunshine”. “Hello sunshine, how long have you been away? (And I’m feeling better) Goodbye memories, haunt me another day”. It’s an absolutely joyous song about putting the past behind you. It’s their most popular song on Spotify that is only 3,000 streams from one million.

Soon afterwards, they play the title track from their 2022 EP, “Machine”. “I’m a machine / Your new creation / And though I long for a normal life / I’m still restrained by my automation”. It’s a fantastic song about Avery Silvernagel’s (the lead singer) struggle with a chronic illness.

See their full setlist here.

Judah & the Lion is the headliner. Their mandolin player, Brian, is from Wheaton. So, this is a hometown show for him.

In the middle of their set, they play their biggest hit, “Take It All Back 2.0”. It has over 116 million streams on Spotify. The entire audience sings along: “And one day we might have a big house with nice cars and fancy clothes and a wife with a big ol’ diamond ring / ‘Cause the people they dancing along, they dancing along to the mando’ and some sort of hip-hop beat / But I’d take it all back, take it all back, take it all back / I’d take it all back just to have you”! It’s a fantastic love song about giving it all up for your love.

Soon afterwards, they play “Suit and Jacket”. Judah sings “I ain’t trading my youth for no suit and jacket / I ain’t giving my freedom for your money and status”. It’s a great song about doing what you want, and not just what is expected of you.

See their full setlist here.

Cost of a ticket: $52

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It

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

Quinn Delaney