Lucy Dacus performs with the Chicago Philharmonic at Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago on July 19, 2026.
By Nina Tadic
There is a cluster of folks who frequent orchestra performances in large theaters, and a cluster that attend folk, indie, and alternative gigs in small dark rooms. But it turns out, there is a vast overlap of those clusters – and the center of that Venn Diagram is a crowd that makes itself known in Chicago’s Millennium Park on July 19th to see a very unique, one night only experience: singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus accompanied by the Chicago Philharmonic.
Fans file in with tote bags, lawn chairs, blankets, the whole nine, right as the gates open at 5:00 PM and the seats and lawn both fill quickly at Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
The Pavilion is a lesson in modern architecture – constructed over a span of five years starting in 1999, it is comprised of a stunning steel-framed bandshell that loops, curves, and waves in beautiful ribbons of metal paneling around the stage, and seats 4,000 people in chairs, and another 7,000 in the lawn area. With a criss-crossing of metal bars overhead, it is modernist and magical – beautiful in its own right, whether or not anyone is performing. But seeing it filled with fans under a clear sky in July? It is surreal.
Chicago locals Ratboys play a fantastic set, starting with “Open Up” and “Anywhere” back to back. Vocalist Julia Steiner graciously thanks the crowd and Lucy between songs, reminding everyone what a phenomenal treat they’re in for on this particular night. ”To be sandwiched between the Bean and Lake Michigan – no better place to be!” she exclaims.
Ratboys perform at Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago on July 19, 2026.
The band plays a nice variety of songs from a few albums – predominantly music from their most recent release Singin’ to an Empty Chair, but also a few from Happy Birthday, Ratboy, Printer’s Devil, and The Window, as well. Their fast-paced and fun set is the perfect warm-up for Dacus’s set, and leaves the audience absolutely buzzing with excitement.
During the time between sets, folks hustle and bustle through the lines for merch and snacks and bathroom breaks, trying to get everything done in time to see Lucy Dacus make her entrance.
When the clock strikes 8:00, the Philharmonic makes their way to the stage. Violinists, violists, cellists, all tuning string by string, oboists and the wind instrumenteers doing the same, percussionists checking in, and even a harpist warming up – what a sight. At this point, the sun is setting, the crowd’s noise is dying down, and everyone is mesmerized. The way the orchestra captivates the crowd, even just through warm-ups, is just a sneak peek of the response there will be during the set.
At 8:10, the lights surrounding the bandshell begin to dim, and the Philharmonic begins “Calliope Prelude.” During this, Lucy Dacus heads onto the stage, every bit the performer the crowd knows her to be. Her long black dress has a cape that flows behind her, and her beautiful black gloves stretch all the way up her arms. She is poised and elegant, and is met with a roar of applause as she begins “Hot & Heavy.”
Lucy Dacus performs with the Chicago Philharmonic at Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago on July 19, 2026.
With the Chicago Philharmonic’s accompaniment, she performs a powerful wave of fan favorites – “Ankles,” “Modigliani,” among others. She keeps the talking to a minimum between songs, only speaking to share a shy and chiming “Thanks!”
During one song’s introduction, she does pause and ask the Orchestra to restart, which is met with laughs and applause. “They told me backstage I get three strikes – so this is the first one!” she jokes, met with chuckles from the audience and the Orchestra alike.
Towards the middle of the set, the Chicago Philharmonic takes a brief intermission. During this time, Lucy’s infamous blue velvet couch, trimmed in ornate silver filigree, is brought out onto the stage.
Alongside Lucy’s couch comes her band, and the five of them perform acoustic for the next handful of songs. “Trust,” “Christine,” “Fool’s Gold,” and “Best Guess” are all performed, along with a boygenius song, “Afraid of Heights,” as a treat.
Lucy thanks her band, introducing each of them by name, and giving time for everyone in the audience to break into applause for every single one of them. Shortly after this, as the band leaves the stage, and the Philharmonic returns, Lucy makes sure everyone knows the significance of this show.
“My mom is from Illinois, and I grew up coming here – and the blocks surrounding this park… and the blocks surrounding that, too, I think,” she said. “This show is so special to me and is something I’ve wanted to do for so long.” She then proceeds to introduce Phoenix Rousiamani, who is the composer responsible for all of the arrangements performed by the Philharmonic, as well as conductor Chad Goodman, both of whom receive hoots, hollers, whistles, and cheers beyond belief.
Following this applause, the set resumes with even more fan favorites – “Triple Dog Dare,” “Forever Is a Feeling,” “Night Shift”, and more. By the halfway point of “Night Shift,” everyone in the crowd is singing along word for word, and Lucy’s demeanor onstage is glowing. It is crystal clear that this is a monumental night for Lucy herself, just as much as it is for her fans.
Lucy Dacus performs with the Chicago Philharmonic at Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago on July 19, 2026.
After “Night Shift” finishes, Dacus and Goodman take a bow together, as does the Philharmonic. They take their leave from the stage, and the crowd continues to go wild, begging for an encore. Once a minute or two has gone by, the orchestra members file out one by one, as does their conductor, and the vocalist of the night. They take their places once more, take another bow, and then proceed to play fan favorite “Historians.” It feels fitting that some of the last lyrics of the night are “Was I most complete at the beginning? Or the bow?” and it is not lost on anyone.
Under the glow of warm orange and red lights, then fading purples and blues, Lucy Dacus and the Chicago Philharmonic close out a once-in-a-lifetime performance. They left it all out there onstage, having successfully delivered a show that everyone will carry with them forever.
(Photos and review by Nina Tadic – follow Nina on Instagram at @ninatadiccreative)
