As I walk into Chicago's dive bar-esque Cobra Lounge, it is the most packed I have ever seen it, with people filled wall to wall, all gearing up to experience The Wrecks on their '2024 Super Half Marathon Tour. '
When the lights begin to fade, the indistinguishable chatter of the audience comes to a sharp halt, transforming into a chorus of screams as members, Nick Anderson, Nick Schmidt, Aaron Kelly, and Billy Nally ascend onto the stage as the melodramatic "Chariots of Fire'" plays, highlighting the marathon theme of the tour.
With a prominent guitar, they begin with 2020 hit, "Out of Style"," and it is clear from the very first line that the audience knows every word. Lead singer, Nick Anderson, shows no discomfort on stage and his energy is electric. He commands the crowd with ease, eliciting a sea of coordinated claps and tireless jumps in tune with the beat. Anderson, from the very start demonstrates his complete control over the sea of fans, who do nothing but listen and watch intently.
As the first song closes, Anderson wastes no time in hyping up fans even further before diving into the next song. He asks, "Chicago, how we feeling'?! Welcome to the 2024 Super Half-Marathon Tour!"
For the next track, "Figure This Out," Anderson is only able to get about two words out before the audience takes over the entire verse, showcasing their devotion and passion, The energy from the crowd is intense, and only matched by each band member on stage. Nick Schmidt on guitar and Billy Nally on bass match Anderson's energy seamlessly, as they jump around the semi-cramped stage, only hyping up the fans even more. As the song closes out, it fades to nothing but vocals and guitar— a perfect lead up to the following track, "I Love This Part."
"I Love This Part" consists of a darker and slower energy, with a lower bass and hesitant drums. However, it slowly builds up to screaming vocals with heavier instrumentation— all while still maintaining its low, mysterious, and dark tone. It instantly feels cathartic, for both the artist and the fan, as Anderson ascends into belting with an anger matched by the crowd. It seems as though the artist and the audience share a bond that is crystallized by mutual emotions and mutual understanding, and it can be felt by anyone in the near vicinity. Perhaps it is The Wrecks' longevity as a band that formed this special bond that many musicians aspire to, having formed in 2015.
Another song off 2020 record, Infinitely Ordinary, "Feels So Nice" is recognized by the crowd just by the very first note. As the song progresses, people are grabbing their friends by their shoulders as they mutually scream every word in each other's faces. As Anderson sways back and forth, so does the mass of entranced fans before him. Their adorations and expression of such feels more instinctual than intentional— like knowing all the turns to make on the way back to your childhood home.
Excitedly, Anderson mentions their latest single, "Always, Everytime," which is their first release in two years. It has been anxiously anticipated, as has been this tour. If the rest is anything like this one, fans have much to look forward to. They also play the unreleased track, "Speed," which consists of a dreamy guitar riff with a fast-paced breakdown, coupled with intense drums. The
adrenalized tracks give us only a glimpse of what more is to come from The Wrecks.
For the final encore, Anderson asks during the breakdown of "Favorite Liar" to split the room. With ease and quick cooperation often unseen with the concert etiquette these days, fans listen and do just that. He descends the stage and enters the crowd, running up and down the space that the audience has created for him. This final act only solidifies and reinstates the bond between the Wrecks and their fans, as they share this intimate moment, without any boundaries crossed. It was refreshing to see this type of mutual respect between an artist and their devoted listener--where nothing but love for the craft is truly at the center of it all.
Get tickets to see The Wrecks at a city near you here as they embark next year on The INSIDE : OUTSIDE Tour!
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