Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a conversation and asking aloud “wait..that’s a real band name?” Then to learn that not only is Cigarettes After Sex an actual band name, but that they’re an American indie, shoegazey dream pop trio, who have released two albums… AND… then to also realize their music is REALLY good. If not..you are welcome to tag along my experience as that was my eye opening revaluation as I have come to accept as my normal lately.
That’s not a bad thing for this music listener who has come to appreciate so many different bands and artists in my current post-pandemic chapter in life. You can imagine my excitement when I discovered they were performing at our newest venue when they stopped through Chicago, The Salt Shed. Win. Win. Saturday night’s ideal weather for an outdoor concert made for an evening of near perfection.
I have no reservation in admitting I’m a newbie to their music and being the photo nerd I am, I will gush for days over their black and white aesthetic and am even more intrigued now to dig deeper into their world. It was an all-ages evening which was obvious upon my early arrival, but there were plenty of merch options and a Cigarettes After Sex backdrop for pics to pacify the excited tweens/teens until nightfall. In lieu of an opening band there was a half an hour long black and white video montage with music to heighten the crowd’s anticipation. From what I saw where we were waiting and when I was finally allowed into the pit, it piqued my curiosity to want to watch It or at least see what It included. When It ended a curtain was lowered, and in true theatrical fashion, opened slightly in a flood of white light for each member to make a grand entrance.
Everything you could imagine a cigarettes After Sex would be it absolutely was. Personally not versed enough to sing along with fan favorites but I was fine riding the waves of everyone else as they swayed and danced along. The high contrast of the evening’s black and white presentation and ambience was a beautiful homage to a past musical era while the band is clearly etching their names in a continued tradition and style. Epic spotlights and starlight backdrops leant themselves nicely soft yet sweetly delivered lyrics from band founder and lead singer, Greg Gonzalez. The band paints the perfect “starry-eyed atmosphere” for their self proclaimed “Syrupy, sensual, subterranean dream-pop” and I’m all for It. Looking forward to what they have in store for us in the Summer of 2024 when their anticipated third album they’re working on will hopefully be released.
Words and photos by Josh Darr for Pursuit Of Dopeness
Cigarettes After Sex – Chicago 2023 Set List:
Crush
You’re All I want
Nothings Gonna hurt you baby
Touch
John Wayne
Bubblegum
Cry
Falling in Love
Sweet
Sunsetz
Heavenly
K.
Dreaming of You
Apocalypse
Encore:
Opera House
