And your ears shall hear…

Last night, I did something truly special: I took my daughters, Abby and Paige (11 and 9 respectively) to their first real club concert.

And what a night it was! The venue, Outset in Chicago, is a gem in itself. It boasts a beautiful interior with an incredible sound system and a stage that feels grand enough for stadium rock. Speaking of stadium rock, the girls have seen the artist Pink a few times, so they’ve attended some big shows, but nothing this intimate. Cute moment came when my daughter asked me, “Dad, can we go up as close to the stage as we like, or are those spots reserved?” Her mind was blown when she realized how close we could actually get. We snagged prime real estate stage left, mere rows from the action, and got ready to dance the night away.

The night kicked off with Worry Club, a band that reminded me of my own youthful punk-rock days.

With three guitar players their sound was energetic and exciting, a blend of Smashing Pumpkins-esque chord progressions and a classic emo, anti-establishment sensibility. The highlight of their set included new single, “DEDBODY.”

Abby and Paige were captivated as Chicago-hailing Chase Walshand ran amok onstage with a “Fuck Donald Trump” sticker taped to his guitar. I even caved and bought their debut EP, All Frogs Go To Heaven, on CD albeit, a testament to their infectious energy.

Then, the moment we’d all been waiting for – Bear Hands took the stage to perform their eclectic album Distraction, from front to back, in honor of its 10 year anniversary!

From the first chord, the energy in the room was electric. Dylan Rau, the lead singer, delivered a performance that was nothing short of electrifying, his voice soaring through the venue with a palpable passion that had the crowd moving to “Giants,” “Agora,” and “Bad Friend.” I noticed my oldest, Abby, dancing as she started to recognize some of the songs she has grown up with over the last twelve years. Paige looked mezmorized, taking in every sound and instrument. “Sleeping On The Floor” and “Party Hats” were also fan favorites.

The second set was a dream come true, a mix of new songs from Bear Hands‘ latest release The Key To What, which included “Floor It,” “Intrusive Thoughts,” “Mosquito Song,” “Dialtone,” and “Car Wreck.” All of the new material sounded better live than on record, which is a feat as there are a lot of loops and samples. Let me just say that without bass player Val Loper and drum machine TJ Orscher, my man Dylan is just a singer songwriter with great ideas. This crew fleshes out his ideas and gives movement to his songs…and his feet I might add. I love when dude bops around the stage.

Because it was an All Ages show on a Wednesday night in Chicago, Bear Hands had a hard 9:30pm stop so that the youngans could get home before city curfew. After all, “Nothing good happens past 2AM!” They did close out the show with two incredible songs, “Spirit Guide” AND “2AM,” bringing the night to a euphoric crescendo.

Seeing my daughters’ faces light up with excitement as they danced along to Bear Hands was a moment I’ll cherish forever. It was a reminder of the joy of sharing music with loved ones and introducing them to the artists that have shaped my own musical journey. It’s moments like these that make this whole “Cut Out Kid” gig worth it.

Outset is an amazing space for all-ages shows, and I highly recommend it to any music lover looking for a great time. It’s also a testament to how music transcends generations and creates a shared experience that brings people together. So, if you see Bear Hands, be sure to check out Worry Club too – they’re destined for big things!

Until next time, keep those bargain bins stocked and those musical adventures flowing.

The Cut Out Kid 🖋️📚