Grouplove: Rock and Roll Won't Save Me

Riviera Theater - Chicago, Il - March 16th, 2024

Written by: Kate Bucklin | March 19th, 2024

For once, my impulse spending habits have led me to somewhere great. That somewhere being the concert for indie-rock giants Grouplove on the Chicago stop for their “Rock and Roll You Won’t Save Me” tour at the Riviera Theatre on Saturday night. While Grouplove is most known for their teenage anthem “Tongue Tied” (admittedly the only song I knew prior to the concert), they have a repertoire full of dreamy psychedelic pop reminiscent of bands like Passion Pit and Pixies. From their opener with “Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten” and onwards, it was clear from their passionate stage presence that participation was mandatory, as lead singer Hannah Hooper commanded the audience to follow her lead with movement. Though the audience was composed mainly of forty year olds, a little disorienting initially, the movement was filled with more vitality and energy than any show with a teenage audience that I’ve attended.

The band also made sure to put on a show, as singer Christian Zucconi even tossed his guitar into the air before catching it and joining in with Hooper in bouncing about the stage during their (absolutely fantastic) cover of Blur’s “Song 2”. On top of the insane stunts, the lighting was just absolutely mesmerizing, as rainbow visuals melted my brain in the best way possible while perfectly accompanying their respective songs, the encore song “Colors” being especially vivid as the name would imply. Although Grouplove is only my tenth concert, I have never seen so much energy from both the band and the crowd come together in such a way that is just absolutely revitalizing. So let this be your sign to go see that indie rock band you may have only listened to in passing, or better yet, to just go experience Grouplove!

Tracklist: 

Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten
Primetime
Deleter
Borderlines and Aliens
Malachi
Ways to Go
Itchin’ on a Photograph
I’m With You
Shark Attack
All
Cruel and Beautiful World
Let Me In
Spun
Climb
Hello
Tongue Tied
Song 2 (Cover – Blur)
Chances
Cream

Encore
Welcome to Your Life
Raspberry
Colours