Gracie Abrams’ Secret of Us tour stop at the Aragon Ballroom last night felt like a triumphant return. Abrams, who had previously opened for Olivia Rodrigo on the very same stage during the Sour Tour, and who had just first performed in the Windy City a couple years ago, a few blocks away, returned to Chicago, this time to a packed, sold-out crowd. With nearly five times the number of fans compared to her 2022 performance at The Metro, and likely the ability to sell out last night’s venue another five times over (or perhaps more), Gracie’s star power has clearly skyrocketed. Early in the show, she paused to reminisce about her intimate Metro performance, calling it one of her favorite shows of all time and reflecting on how surreal it was to now fill a space as large as the Aragon Ballroom.
“Welcome to The Secret of Us Tour. I don’t know if any of you were at our show at The Metro, that was one of my favorite shows of all time! To be here is unbelievable.”
As she welcomed the audience, the love in the room was palpable. Fans wearing Gracie’s signature bows filled the venue, showcasing the deep connection she has with her supporters. The room was so electric that, at times, the audience’s collective voice overpowered Gracie herself—a testament to how deeply her music resonates with her listeners.
Opening with “Felt Good About You,” Gracie set the tone for an evening of vulnerable storytelling and catharsis. Tracks like “Risk,” “Mess It Up,” and “Blowing Smoke” were delivered with the emotional depth that has become Abrams’ hallmark, and the crowd responded with equal fervor. During “21” and “I Miss You, I’m Sorry,” it was almost impossible not to feel the weight of each lyric as the room sang along in perfect harmony.
In addition to her familiar hits, Gracie treated fans to a special surprise with the performance of an unreleased track called “Cool,” which she announced would be included on the deluxe version of The Secret of Us, set to be released next month. The excitement in the crowd reached a fever pitch as she shared this news, further solidifying the deep bond between Abrams and her fans.
Gracie also took time to spotlight her opening act, Role Model (Tucker Pillsbury), expressing how much his music has meant to her over the years. She had the crowd shout “Love you, Tucker” so he could hear their admiration from backstage. Although some fans missed parts of Role Model’s set, due to long lines to get in and the show starting a half-an-hour early, the Los Angeles-native performed a great opening 8-track set, including songs like “Deeply Still in Love”, “Writing’s on the Wall” and “Scumbag”.
Though the evening was full of emotional highs, Gracie made sure to take a moment to discuss something heavier—politics. Partnering with organizations like HeadCount and Planned Parenthood on her tour, Abrams used her platform to encourage fans to vote, citing the upcoming election as one of the most crucial moments of our time.
“In my opinion, true democracy equals freedom, freedom to control your body, the freedom to read books that expand your mind, the freedom to love who you love, the freedom to take care of your neighbors. We need to decide if we are going to control our own destiny or let a bunch of men who do not share our values to do that for us.”
Abrams rallied the sold-out crowd to take control of their destinies rather than letting those with differing values decide for them. Her passion for activism was evident, and her message resonated with a crowd that came for the music but left with much more.
Gracie Abrams’ return to Chicago was nothing short of magical. The singer-songwriter has transformed from the emerging act and opener we saw a couple of years ago into a headliner who commands every corner of the stage. From her heartfelt music to her open conversations about activism, Abrams proves she’s not just a performer but a force of nature. With the Secret of Us tour continuing to pack venues and a deluxe album on the way, Gracie’s rise shows no signs of stopping and the Aragon will likely be the most “intimate” venue you’ll be able to see her perform at as her current tour could have sold-out arenas across the country. Her performance at the Aragon Ballroom was unforgettable, leaving no doubt that she’s one of the most captivating voices in music today.
SETLIST
- Felt Good About You
- Risk
- Blowing Smoke
- 21
- I Love You, I’m Sorry
- Where Do We Go Now?
- Gave You I Gave You I
- Mess It Up
- Full Machine
- Cool (Live debut; from upcoming The Secret of Us deluxe)
- Good Luck Charlie
- I Knew It, I Know You
- I Know It Won’t Work
- Friend
- Normal Thing
- Feels Like
- Let It Happen
- Tough Love
- I Miss You, I’m Sorry
- Free Now
- us
- Close to You
The Early Registration 