While most people were asleep at midnight, I was at a concert. Bleachers headlined Metro Chicago for one of Lollapalooza’s infamous Aftershows—and they managed to make the intimate club feel like a full-blown arena.
Opening the night was the incredible Cassandra Coleman, a singer-songwriter from Nashville who first gained attention on Season 19 of American Idol. Despite having just one song currently on streaming, she captivated the audience the moment she stepped on stage. One standout was a track called “Maggie”—a song I need her to release immediately. She closed her set with her debut single, “Coming of Age,” produced by none other than Bleachers frontman Jack Antonoff.
Up next were Bleachers, launching their near two hour set with “I Am Right on Time” from their recently released self-titled album. From the moment they hit the stage, it was clear we were in for something special—possibly one of the best live shows you’d ever see. They followed with “Modern Girl,” which sent the crowd into a frenzy as fans erupted in cheers and sang along to every word.
“LET’S FUCKING GOOO!” someone shouted from the crowd as Bleachers wrapped up their fan-favorite, “How Dare You Want More.” Frontman Jack Antonoff scanned the room, grinning. “This is fucking sick,” he exclaimed, clearly feeding off the crowd’s energy. Known for their wild, high-octane performances, the band kept the momentum going. And since their set kicked off after midnight, it felt only right when they broke into a special version of “Call Me After Midnight.” The crowd swayed and sang along, fully locked into the after-hours magic that only a Bleachers show can deliver.
The band also debuted an unreleased track titled “Blood Brothers,” which Antonoff revealed will appear on their upcoming fifth studio album. Despite having played it only a handful of times this year, a surprising number of fans—myself included—were already singing along, showing just how quickly the song is resonating with the audience. The raw emotion and powerful lyrics made it clear this track is destined to become a fan favorite.
Picking up the pace, the band launched into some of their biggest hits, including “Chinatown,” “I Miss Those Days,” and “Rollercoaster.” At every Bleachers show, Antonoff gives a signature speech before “Rollercoaster,” sharing the band’s history and highlighting saxophone player Evan Smith pressing down on a Juno keyboard. “This song always reminds me of hope,” Antonoff said. He then urged the crowd to climb on each other’s shoulders to raise the energy even higher. “When this shit kicks in, I need you guys to give it everything you got!” he shouted before launching into the track.
The band slowed things down for the acoustic portion of the show, with Antonoff standing solo front and center while the rest of the band sat quietly at the back of the stage. He performed “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call” and “Isimo,” creating some of the most tender, special moments of the night. “I’ll never not get in front of you people and not say that this means the world to us,” Antonoff said after finishing the songs. He followed with a heartfelt speech about how much playing shows for their fans means to the band. Then, without missing a beat, he blew the roof off the place with an electrifying performance of my all-time favorite Bleachers song, “Dream of Mickey Mantle.” The energy in the room shifted instantly, reminding everyone why live music is so powerful.
The band kept the energy high with their breakout hit “I Wanna Get Better,” which was met with earth-shattering screams from the crowd. The room practically shook as everyone shouted the lyrics back at them. That momentum carried through to the very end, where they closed the night with “Stop Making This Hurt”—a fitting finale, especially with the lyric “Say goodbye like you mean it” echoing as their parting message. It was the perfect emotional sendoff to an unforgettable show.
As the lights came up and fans slowly filtered out of Metro, there was a sense that something rare had just happened—one of those nights where the music, the crowd, and the moment align perfectly. Bleachers didn’t just play a show; they created a shared experience that felt personal and massive all at once. Whether you were a longtime fan or discovering the band for the first time, it was impossible to leave without feeling something. And that, more than anything, is what makes a Bleachers concert unforgettable.
Check out the remainder of Bleachers 2025 tour dates here.
