LIGHTS (Fall Tour) // 11-11-2012 // Chicago, IL
Words and Photos by: Ashley Osborn
Let me start off by stating that I truly feel that this tour should have been called the “Canada Strikes Again Tour.” Or.. you know.. something along the lines of such. Oh, Canada, you are once again proving that all of the best artists come from within your boarders. First, we have the Arkells. After being introduced to them while photographing The Maine’s spring tour – they immediately caught my attention. This five piece indie rock band has tunes which can only be described as flawless and polished. It only took about three seconds for their charismatic presence to figuratively kidnap the crowd. The Arkells remind me of something you’d hear in an 80’s movie. I hear them and I feel like I’m cruising with the top down on a convertible as the credits roll with not a single care in the world. They are truly composed of a genuine feel good sound. Their full-length album ‘Michigan Left’ came out last year and has had an incredible reception amongst the industry. My personal favorites are “Book Club,” “Michigan Left” and “Kiss Cam” all of which I was pleased to hear live. Vocalist Max Kerman’s giddiness is one that’s rare to find these days. However, it doesn’t end there. The entire band has an overwhelming sense of happiness onstage which makes them simply irresistible. You need to check out this band. I promise we’re going to get them in the pages of Highlight very soon.
Some call her LIGHTS, some call her a Canadian pop goddess, after working with her for Issue #4 of Highlight, I simply call her genuine. She’s been non-stop since self-releasing her second full-length, Siberia, last year. The second The Arkells ended their set, fans knew that it was finally time. As the curtains opened and the fog expanded, Lights made her debut onstage on this warm Chicago night at House of Blues. Her loyal fans screamed with excitement and held the largest of smiles as she finally arrived at her keyboard, grabbed her microphone and slowly started jamming to the intro of “Fourth Dimension.” Though the lighting was insanely blue and purple (awful for shooting conditions) that may have been my favorite thing about the finer details of her set. It was like a LIGHTS odyssey through space and it was clearly thought out.
If there’s one thing that’s obvious about LIGHTS’ performance it’s that she truly emerges and finds herself lost in her music every time she steps onstage. Throughout her performance she continuously near baffled me with her stunning vocals and large variety of tunes from her entire discrography. From dancing onstage, to hitting the keys on her keyboard, to slowing things down on her piano – there was truly something for every member of the audience incorporated into this performance. One Highlight had to of been her “Heart of Glass” cover. I’m never a fan of cover songs, but it was so bubbly and funky – perfect for LIGHTS’ style of music and she pulled it off flawlessly.
Before she closed her set she announced that this would be her last tour before beginning to write new music. Though the audience was upset, their overwhelming and mutual excitement assisted LIGHTS as she prepared to cap off the night with a bone chilling (in a delightful way) performance of “Banner.” It was truly a night that left fans captivated and anxious for new tunes, more LIGHTS and more touring. Congrats on such an incredible performance and tour, Lights! Oh, and thanks for always bringing such kick ass artists with you on the road.
