Fireworks from Navy Pier just a few miles away and laser beams Northerly Island’s front stage filled the summer sky recently as RÜFÜS DU SOL stopped in Chicago for their ‘Surrender’ tour. The crowds at RÜFÜS shows are my favorite as everyone seems to be having a good time, and the chill nature of the band’s sound directly corresponds to the nature of the crowd. Dancing, good vibes and RÜFÜS, what more could anybody possibly want?
The stage at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island was warmed up by Lastlings, a duo that featured similar sound and pacing to RÜFÜS’s featured music, set the mood for the night as the sun started to go down.
RÜFÜS’s introduction rang through the speakers while simultaneously bleeding into the cheers of the crowd, eventually regaining control again as the set was kicked off with opener “Eyes.” RDS was on tour for their most recent album “Surrender” which was released in October of last year. Off the new record, the trio performed songs like tracks “On My Knees,” “Devotion,” as well as “Alive,” which was paired to close out the show with their 10 minute progressive hit “Innerbloom” which is an absolute treat to hear live. Although the perfect song to end a set to, it’s impossible not to ask for more afterwards, so to make things right the three came out again to perform “Next to Me” and “No Place” as an encore.
Between both artists, the venue, the weather and the lighting, as well as the timely June 1st date, RÜFÜS DU SOL put on a clinic on how to kick Chicago summer off in full swing.
Words and Photos by Arthur Siwek for Pursuit of Dopeness
