I feel very fortunate to have been able to experience a show in today’s world. Chicago often has a lot of opportunities to partake in the live music scene. However, since COVID-19, this hasn’t been able to be true. The excitement was high when a Halloween night Chicago drive-in show got announced with two amazing bands – Knuckle Puck and Hot Mulligan. Chicago and everyone involved in putting this show together, including Riot Fest, always makes a great night happen even in the hardest of times.
This performance was heartwarming and authentic
The night opened up with a killer performance from Lansing, Michigan’s own–Hot Mulligan. The band was extremely high energy and you could tell they were genuinely happy to finally be putting on a show. Being on Halloween, the band dressed in bloody lab coats and definitely showed they were in the holiday spirit. Lucky enough, Hot Mulligan could finally perform songs from their album ‘You’ll Be Fine’. This was the first time the band could do this because of their tour being rescheduled because of COVID-19. This performance was heartwarming and authentic and all I could have wanted out of my first show I got to attend since March.
The joy and excitement the band radiated from finally being on a stage again was clear
Following this indescribable set was none other than Chicago, Illinois, Knuckle Puck. This was again a tremendous opportunity for the band. Their newest album ‘20/20’ dropped in the middle of all the negativity in the world. For many, this included quarantines and not being able to see their closest friends and family. Although true, the Halloween show gave Knuckle Puck the chance to play some never performed songs from this album the same way Hot Mulligan could. This set truly made me feel alive again.
I have never felt so much love and appreciation from an audience, even with all of us being in our cars. You could still hear and see fans singings along, clapping, cheering, horn honking, and light flashing for the band. The connection I felt with Knuckle Puck at this show was like no other. The joy and excitement the band radiated from finally being on a stage again was clear. The thanks the band gave the audience was real. You could tell they, too, felt as much love in the environment as the fans were feeling.
Live music is NOT cancelled!
This show gave me hope for the future of music. The future of the industry. The future of all those involved in this beautiful scene. A show this heartening and touching has given me a positive outlook on what is coming. I hope if you could not attend, my commentary can give you the same feeling I felt at this show. Remember – live music is NOT cancelled!
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