PHOTOS: BRIGID GALLAGHER | Coming off a tour supporting The Lumineers and Andrew Bird, Margaret Glaspy started her run of solo shows with a sold out concert at Chicago’s Schubas.
Minneapolis’ Bad Bad Hats kicked the evening into gear and quickly engaged the audience. Between their infectious beats and lead singer, Kerry Alexander’s witty commentary between songs, people couldn’t help but be struck. Given her confessional lyrics and fresh voice, it feels like you’re being told a secret from your best friend, plus their songs are immediately relatable—even when they center around gas station snack foods. Bad Bad Hats’ newest album, Psychic Reader is currently available on vinyl.
Margaret Glaspy closes her eyes as she sings, focusing on each note, each tremble is on purpose, every waver calculated. Her songs are a beautiful, smooth blues at one moment and then her voice rises to a growl giving each phrase a bite. For “Memory Street” she becomes a perfect skipping record as she repeats “Times I…” over and over until finally finishing, “Times I took forever to forget.” It started to feel like the record scratch would continue forever (and the audience kind of wanted it to.)
Playing songs mostly from her recent album, Glaspy also touched upon earlier favorites like “You’re Smiling (But I Don’t Believe You).” There was also a new untitled song which was met with delight. Midway through the set her drummer and bassist left the stage as she covered Lauryn Hill’s “Ex-Factor.” She made clear the song was a favorite and put her whole self into it—her sound bouncing and fading as she strategically moved her body back and forth from the mic; pure talent on display.
Margaret Glaspy’s latest album, Emotions and Math is available on vinyl.
BAD BAD HATS
