Phoenix Burns Brighter Than Ever At Chicago’s Riviera Theatre

A curtain falls before a hazed crowd at Chicago’s Riviera Theatre, the majority of which tightly grip copies of Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (the original WAP). The breakout album that gave indie dance pop backings to lyrics about existential dread, self doubt and letting go was a mandatory item on every 2009 college syllabus.

Opening with “Lisztomania", the second single from their Grammy Award winning 4th album, the French (Phrench?) brigade sound as bright and polished as ever, despite performing together for the last twenty-five years. Most bands of similar status sport their hits like bruises, hiding them away until the end, hoping you’ll stick through the set to hear them. Phoenix holds their hits up under a spotlight, pairing them with shimmering visuals and performances that suggests they haven’t played this track thousands of times.

“This is your time. This is your time. This is your time,” preaches front man Thomas Mars as the curtain unfurls behind him, giving the illusion that he's speaking directly to you.

After a thundering ovation that could have gone on longer than the song that caused it, Phoenix rip right into “Entertainment”, the first track off their WAP follow-up album Bankrupt!. A lavish, blustering number with lyrics about shying away from the spotlight set to an arrangement that’s impossible to ignore.

The group also peppered in two tracks from their recently announced LP, Alpha Zulu. One of which being the song “Tonight”, featuring Vampire Weekend frontman Ezra Koenig. Despite its release just hours before the show, the crowd seemed to know every word, which tells you exactly the type of fans that Phoenix has garnered throughout their years.

After a career-spanning showcase set to a light show that most bands would use as a crutch, Phoenix ends with “1901”. Thus, bookending their world-class performance with their two biggest triumphs, unashamed of the fame they begot.

Phoenix will rise again for the first time in five years with Alpha Zulu, set to release November 4th, 2022.

Check out our photographer Josh Druding’s gallery from the show below and be sad you missed out. For future tour dates and tickets, visit wearephoenix.com/tour