Whether you call it “amour,” “amare” or “is breá,” love was in the air at the Aragon Ballroom on June 5 as Phoenix took the stage at the iconic Chicago venue just days in advance of the release of their sixth studio album, Ti Amo, which drops on June 9. The show featured songs from the group’s entire discography as they effortlessly interweaved the old and new with tonal perfection.
“Entertainment” was the first of many goosebump-inducing moments of the night as frontman, Thomas Mars, led the sold-out crowd in chanting a chorus of “Ahs” before the collective whole emphatically belted out the line, “I’d rather be alone.” The sing-along continued with “Lisztomania” which concluded with Mars repeatedly thanking fans for the ongoing extraordinary evening. “Fences” had concert-goers dancing throughout the venue – even those standing in line for drinks were moving to the chill grooves – and “Trying to Be Cool” sent fans on a groovy getaway as the stage became submerged in an ocean sunset thanks to the blissful lighting design.
Speaking of sunsets, one of the most magical moments of the performance came when Phoenix merged the pulsing composition of “Bankrupt!” with the snarling bass lines and delicate melodies of “Love Like A Sunset Parts I and II” for the compilation, “Sunskrupt!.” Beat by beat the music overtook the room shaking the fixtures and carrying fans off into an otherworldly sensory experience.
“We would like to thank The Lemon Twigs. It’s a pleasure to see them every night. They’re the best,” said Mars of the tour openers, who performed a high-flying set earlier in the evening. The Lemon Twigs certainly gained a slew of new Chicago fans after the crowd experienced their energetic renditions of tracks like “I Wanna Prove to You” and “The Queen of My School.”
Deep into Phoenix’s set, Mars asked the venue to get the disco ball going during “If I Ever Feel Better,” which he shared was one of the first songs the band had ever written. The columns of light would once again appear later in the night when Mars ventured out into the crowd utterly obliterating the barrier between fan and performer.
The best musicians are able to transport fans onto a higher plane, allowing them to get lost in song over the course of a live show. Somehow, Phoenix has the unique ability not only to offer a “San Junipero”-esque oasis in the moment, but the French foursome also leaves fans engulfed in a joyous sonic aura days after experiencing them in concert. By this point, devoted fans know Phoenix well, but they continue to love them more and more with the release of each new album.
Click here to pre-order Ti Amo and head over to WeArePhoenix.com to take a look at their full tour itinerary.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)