Tag Archives: United Center

Concert Photos, Features, News

Three Hitmakers, One Huge Saturday: 10 Reasons Day 4 Delivered at Windy City Smokeout

Leave a comment
Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration

Day 4 of the 2026 Windy City Smokeout did not need any gimmicks.

Saturday’s main-stage lineup simply brought together three artists who have spent years mastering the type of immediately recognizable country songs that seem purpose-built for a festival crowd. Tyler Hubbard started the featured stretch at 4:45 p.m., Russell Dickerson followed at 6:30 p.m. and Jordan Davis occupied the 8:20 p.m. headlining slot.

Together, they represented three distinct but complementary versions of modern country music. Hubbard arrived with a newly established solo identity and one of the most commercially successful catalogs of the past decade behind him. Dickerson treated his performance like a Saturday-night party that happened to begin before sunset. Davis then closed the evening by combining radio-sized choruses with the personal, conversational songwriting that has powered his rise to headliner status.

Chicago provided nearly ideal conditions for the progression. Temperatures hovered in the mid-70s as the evening began and gradually cooled beneath mostly clear skies, giving the Smokeout crowd every reason to remain planted outside the United Center through the night.

Here are 10 reasons Tyler Hubbard, Russell Dickerson and Jordan Davis gave Windy City Smokeout one huge Saturday.

1. Tyler Hubbard proved his solo catalog can stand on its own

Tyler Hubbard will probably always receive one of his loudest reactions when he reaches back into his Florida Georgia Line catalog. That history is simply too successful—and too intertwined with an entire era of country music—to ignore.

But Hubbard’s Smokeout performance did not feel like a former group member surviving on nostalgia.

Songs such as “5 Foot 9,” “Dancin’ in the Country” and “Back Then Right Now” have given Hubbard a distinct identity beyond the duo that made him famous. His solo material maintains his instinct for big, uncomplicated hooks while revealing a more personal and settled performer.

The result was a set that could acknowledge the past without depending upon it. The Florida Georgia Line songs were highlights, but they were not the only reasons the crowd was invested.

2. “5 Foot 9” supplied an effortless festival singalong

Some choruses require encouragement. Others only need their opening notes.

“5 Foot 9” belonged firmly in the latter category.

Hubbard’s solo breakthrough has the easygoing familiarity of a song that listeners feel as though they have known far longer than they actually have. At Windy City Smokeout, its images of small-town life, romance and simple blessings translated naturally to a crowd spending its Saturday surrounded by country music, cold drinks and barbecue smoke.

The song did not need a dramatic introduction or elaborate production to create a moment. Its strength was its simplicity, allowing thousands of voices to take ownership of the chorus almost immediately.

3. The Florida Georgia Line songs still produced an enormous reaction

Hubbard may have demonstrated that his solo catalog is strong enough to carry a festival set, but there was no denying the response when he opened the Florida Georgia Line vault.

Those songs are more than former radio hits. They are time capsules from a period when Florida Georgia Line helped reshape the sound, image and commercial reach of mainstream country music.

For some fans, hearing songs such as “Cruise” and “This Is How We Roll” offered a dose of nostalgia. For others, they remained exactly what they were designed to be: giant festival songs with instantly recognizable hooks.

Hubbard handled the balance well. He did not run from the music that made him famous, nor did he allow it to overshadow everything he has built since. Instead, the older material became a celebration of his career’s first chapter within a set that demonstrated how successfully he has begun the next one.

4. Russell Dickerson brought the most relentless energy of the three featured sets

Russell Dickerson does not perform like an artist interested in conserving energy.

From the moment he arrived, Dickerson treated the stage as a space meant to be covered rather than occupied. He moved constantly, engaged every section of the audience and delivered each chorus as though the evening had already reached its climax.

That approach made him an ideal bridge between Hubbard’s afternoon performance and Davis’ nighttime headlining set.

Dickerson’s songs often combine romantic subject matter with polished, high-energy production, and his stage presence follows the same formula. Even when singing about devotion, marriage or lasting relationships, he rarely allows the performance to become stationary or overly sentimental.

It was country-pop showmanship without apology—and precisely what the middle of Saturday’s lineup needed.

5. “Blue Tacoma” was built for a warm Chicago evening

“Blue Tacoma” has always carried the atmosphere of an open road in the summertime.

Its imagery may be tied to the West Coast, but the feeling transferred easily to a pleasant July evening in Chicago. With the temperature still in the mid-70s around Dickerson’s scheduled performance time, the song found an environment that matched its breezy production and windows-down energy.

It also provided a useful change of pace within Dickerson’s otherwise explosive performance.

Rather than manufacturing another huge festival moment, “Blue Tacoma” allowed the crowd to settle into the evening. It was relaxed without losing momentum, nostalgic without feeling slow and familiar enough to inspire another widespread singalong.

Sometimes the setting elevates the song. At other times, the right song makes the setting feel even better. “Blue Tacoma” managed to accomplish both.

6. Dickerson made the middle of the lineup feel like the beginning of the Saturday-night party

The most difficult festival slot is not always the earliest or the latest.

Sometimes it belongs to the artist performing when the day needs to become the night—when people are arriving from the barbecue lines, finding friends in the crowd and deciding whether they are ready to fully commit to the evening.

Dickerson eliminated that indecision.

By the conclusion of his set, Saturday no longer felt like a collection of individual performances awaiting a headliner. It felt like a party already operating at full speed.

That transformation came from more than tempo. Dickerson’s greatest strength was his ability to make the audience feel involved in the performance rather than positioned in front of it. Every gesture encouraged participation, every familiar chorus became an invitation and every burst of movement reinforced the idea that standing still was not an option.

Jordan Davis would eventually close the night, but Dickerson made sure the celebration started well before Davis stepped onto the stage.

7. Jordan Davis proved that he belonged in the headlining slot

The difference between possessing enough hits to headline and actually commanding a headlining performance can be considerable.

Jordan Davis erased that distinction Saturday.

Davis’ rise has been steady rather than sudden, built through a growing collection of songs that have expanded both his audience and his artistic identity. Earlier hits introduced him as a reliable voice on country radio. Later songs revealed greater depth, more detailed storytelling and a willingness to let quieter emotions occupy enormous spaces.

At Windy City Smokeout, those different phases of his career came together.

The recognizable singles gave Davis the necessary scale, while his relaxed confidence gave the performance authority. He did not approach the slot like someone auditioning to become a festival headliner. He performed like someone who already understood the responsibility.

Saturday was not simply an opportunity for Davis to occupy the largest name on the daily lineup. It was evidence that his career has grown to fit it.

8. “Buy Dirt” created one of Saturday’s biggest communal singalongs

“Buy Dirt” is not constructed like a conventional festival anthem.

It does not rely on pounding production, a party-centered premise or a chorus designed around the easiest possible phrase. Instead, the song asks listeners to think about family, faith, love, time and the type of life they hope to build.

Yet those qualities are exactly what made it feel so large at Windy City Smokeout.

The crowd did not merely recognize the words. Fans sang them with the conviction of people who had attached their own memories and priorities to the song. What began as Davis’ meditation on a meaningful life became a shared statement stretching across the festival grounds.

Its impact also demonstrated why Davis has become such an effective headliner. He can produce a massive response without demanding that every moment become louder than the one before it.

Sometimes the most powerful point in a festival performance comes when the audience is not shouting at the artist, but singing alongside him.

9. Davis’ conversational delivery made the festival grounds feel smaller

Jordan Davis’ songs often succeed because they sound like stories being shared rather than statements being delivered.

He carried that quality into his performance.

Even while addressing one of the largest crowds of the day, Davis maintained the ease of someone talking across a table or from the opposite side of a campfire. That conversational presence helped connect songs about relationships, families and everyday decisions to an audience spread across a massive outdoor space.

It also provided an effective contrast to the artist who preceded him.

Dickerson reached the crowd through constant movement and unmistakable physical energy. Davis pulled listeners closer by appearing comfortable enough not to force every interaction. His pauses, stories and unhurried delivery gave the performance breathing room.

Windy City Smokeout may have taken place in the shadow of the United Center, but Davis repeatedly made the grounds feel far more intimate.

10. The three-artist run captured three different sides of mainstream country

Saturday’s featured lineup worked because Tyler Hubbard, Russell Dickerson and Jordan Davis were similar enough to share an audience but different enough to avoid redundancy.

Hubbard represented the connection between modern country’s recent past and its current direction. His set combined the Florida Georgia Line songs that helped define an era with solo material proving that he has established a viable second act.

Dickerson supplied pure showmanship. His romantic songs arrived with pop-country polish, relentless movement and the energy necessary to push the festival from the afternoon into Saturday night.

Davis completed the progression with a performance rooted in storytelling. His headlining set demonstrated that thoughtful songs about ordinary lives can still create extraordinary festival moments when enough people recognize themselves within them.

Three artists. Three approaches. One remarkably cohesive stretch of country music.

Windy City Smokeout still had another full day remaining, but Hubbard, Dickerson and Davis made certain that Saturday would be difficult to top.

Concert Photos, Features, News

Heart Like a Headliner: 8 Reasons Lainey Wilson Owned Windy City Smokeout

Leave a comment
Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration

Windy City Smokeout has always celebrated country music in all its forms, but there was little doubt about which direction the festival was headed on its third day.

The bell bottoms, cowboy hats and Lainey Wilson shirts seemingly multiplied as her headlining performance drew closer. By the time Wilson finally stepped onto the stage, she had a crowd ready to sing, dance and hang on every word from one of country music’s most recognizable personalities.

Wilson’s performance contained plenty of the toughness, humor, vulnerability and unmistakable country spirit that have carried her from years of struggling in Nashville to the top of the genre. It also included one especially adorable birthday surprise for a six-year-old fan named Wrigley.

Here are eight reasons Lainey Wilson owned Day 3 of Windy City Smokeout.

1. She showed exactly why she has become a festival headliner

There is a significant difference between an artist who performs at a festival and one capable of bringing the entire day to its natural conclusion. Wilson left little doubt that she belongs in the second category.

Her songs were already familiar enough to inspire massive singalongs, but the performance was about more than simply running through a collection of hits. Wilson carried herself with the confidence of someone who knew thousands of people had spent the entire afternoon waiting for her arrival.

She commanded the large outdoor stage without allowing its size to overwhelm the personality at the center of the show. Wilson looked completely comfortable with the responsibility that accompanied her name sitting at the top of the day’s lineup.

Her rise may have happened quickly from the audience’s perspective, but Friday’s performance felt like the reward for a much longer journey. Wilson did not merely occupy the headlining slot. She made it feel earned.

2. Her voice had enough grit to cut through an outdoor festival

Wilson owns one of the most immediately identifiable voices in modern country music.

That Louisiana drawl remained unmistakable throughout the night, but it was the strength behind it that allowed her songs to fill the sprawling festival grounds. Her voice could be weathered and forceful one moment before becoming delicate and reflective the next.

That contrast is essential to Wilson’s appeal. She does not need to sand away the rougher edges of her voice to reach a wider audience. Those edges are exactly what make the emotional moments convincing.

Even with a full band, a large crowd and all the distractions that accompany an outdoor festival, Wilson’s vocals remained the defining sound of the performance.

3. Her personality was nearly as important as the music

Wilson’s songs may have brought the crowd to Windy City Smokeout, but her personality helped turn the performance into something more personal.

She carried herself like a major country star without creating distance between herself and the audience. Her humor, warmth and conversational approach made it feel as though the crowd was getting to know the person behind the bell bottoms rather than watching a carefully guarded celebrity.

That quality can be difficult to maintain as stages and audiences grow larger. Wilson, however, still communicates with the openness of an artist playing to a much smaller room.

The crowd did not simply respond to her biggest choruses. Fans reacted to her stories, expressions and interactions because Wilson made those moments feel sincere rather than rehearsed.

4. She balanced toughness with vulnerability

Wilson’s catalog works because it never forces listeners to choose between strength and sensitivity.

She can deliver a song filled with independence and swagger before turning around and exposing the uncertainty, heartbreak or nostalgia underneath that confidence. Neither side feels like a character she has temporarily adopted.

Wilson’s toughest songs carried extra force in front of a festival crowd, but the quieter moments revealed just as much about her as a performer. She understood when to push forward with the full power of her band and when to give a song enough space to breathe.

That balance made the performance feel complete. Wilson did not spend the entire night trying to prove how fearless she was. She showed that honesty and vulnerability can be their own forms of strength.

5. “Things a Man Oughta Know” reminded everyone where the breakthrough began

Before Wilson was closing major country festivals, “Things a Man Oughta Know” helped introduce audiences to the songwriting perspective that would eventually take her there.

The song remains one of the clearest examples of what separates Wilson from countless other artists. Its message is direct, but its strength comes from the details and experience contained inside it.

At Windy City Smokeout, the song connected Wilson’s current headlining status to the music that first made listeners pay attention. The performance carried the familiarity of a breakthrough hit without sounding like Wilson was simply revisiting an earlier chapter of her career.

It remains central to who she is: resilient, practical, thoughtful and unwilling to mistake emotional maturity for weakness.

6. “Watermelon Moonshine” supplied the perfect summer-night nostalgia

Few songs were better suited for a warm evening at an outdoor country festival than “Watermelon Moonshine.”

The song offered a softer and more reflective moment, replacing some of the performance’s swagger with memories of young love and summers that feel increasingly distant with each passing year.

Wilson’s storytelling allowed the crowd to picture the song rather than merely hear it. Even listeners without an identical memory could recognize the feeling of looking back at a relationship that has become inseparable from a particular time and place.

Surrounded by thousands of fans beneath the Chicago sky, “Watermelon Moonshine” felt both intimate and communal. Everyone may have been remembering something different, but they were remembering it together.

7. Six-year-old Wrigley became the Cowgirl of the Night

The evening’s most heartwarming moment belonged to a six-year-old fan with an especially fitting Chicago name.

Wilson brought Wrigley onstage as her Cowgirl of the Night, making the experience even more memorable by celebrating the young fan’s birthday. Wrigley received a hat from Wilson, although it was large enough that she may need a few years before it fits properly.

That only made the gift more endearing. It became something Wrigley could grow into—and a keepsake connected to a birthday that will be nearly impossible to top.

The interaction demonstrated why Wilson’s personality resonates so strongly with her audience. She understood that briefly sharing the spotlight would mean everything to one young fan while giving the rest of the festival a moment worth remembering.

There were louder moments Friday night, but none were sweeter.

8. Lainey Wilson is about as country as country gets

Country music continues to expand, pulling influences from pop, rock, hip-hop and nearly every other corner of popular music. Wilson can succeed within that modern landscape without anyone questioning where her heart belongs.

From her Louisiana accent and bell-bottom style to her stories of small towns, hard lessons, horses, heartbreak and perseverance, Wilson is country through and through.

Most importantly, none of it feels manufactured. Her image supports the music rather than distracting from it. The clothes, phrases and cowboy imagery would mean little without the voice, songwriting and personality necessary to make them believable.

Wilson respects country tradition without becoming trapped inside it. She can sound familiar without sounding dated and contemporary without abandoning the qualities that initially defined the genre.

Windy City Smokeout did not merely receive a performance from one of country music’s biggest current stars. It received a show from an artist who embodies the music and culture the festival was created to celebrate.

By the end of Day 3, Wilson had supplied the hits, the vocal power, the humor and the heart expected from a headliner. She also gave Wrigley a birthday gift that may finally fit by the time another generation of country stars is ready to take the stage.

For now, however, that stage belongs to Lainey Wilson.

  • Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration
Concert Photos, Features

Only Wanna Be at Windy City Smokeout: 7 Reasons Day 2 and Hootie& the Blowfish Delivered

Leave a comment
Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration

Windy City Smokeout may be built around country music, smoked meats and cold drinks, but Day 2 demonstrated that its musical borders are wide enough to accommodate one of the most successful pop-rock bands of the 1990s.

Hootie & the Blowfish headlined Thursday night’s festivities outside Chicago’s United Center, delivering a nostalgia-heavy performance without allowing nostalgia to become the entire point. Earlier in the evening, Scotty McCreery brought his unmistakably deep voice and traditional-country sensibilities to the stage before creating the day’s defining surprise: the first live performance of his hit collaboration with Hootie & the Blowfish, “Bottle Rockets.”

From enormous choruses to an unexpected onstage reunion, here are seven reasons Day 2 of Windy City Smokeout delivered.

1. Hootie & the Blowfish remain one of music’s greatest singalong bands

Some artists have popular songs. Hootie & the Blowfish have songs that seem to activate an entire crowd within their opening notes.

The band’s catalog is filled with the type of choruses that listeners do not merely recognize—they instinctively join. Decades after songs such as “Hold My Hand,” “Let Her Cry” and “Only Wanna Be With You” first dominated the radio, their words remain embedded in the memories of fans who grew up with Cracked Rear View.

That familiarity made Hootie’s headlining performance especially well suited for a festival. Even attendees who may not have considered themselves devoted fans knew considerably more of the set than they might have expected.

When the biggest choruses arrived, the crowd did not need an invitation to participate. Thousands of voices transformed the performance into something resembling a reunion between old friends—even when many of those friends had never met before Thursday night.

2. Darius Rucker’s unmistakable voice still carries the show

Hootie & the Blowfish would not sound like Hootie & the Blowfish without Darius Rucker’s voice.

His rich baritone remains one of the most recognizable instruments to emerge from 1990s rock. Warm enough to sell the band’s most sentimental material and powerful enough to rise above its guitars, Rucker’s vocals gave every familiar song its signature character.

That voice has aged particularly well. Rather than attempting to recreate the exact sound of the band’s earliest years, Rucker performed the material with the depth of someone who has spent decades living alongside it.

The result was comforting without feeling overly polished. As soon as Rucker began singing, the festival grounds could have been almost anywhere: a country festival in Chicago, a summer amphitheater or a car with Cracked Rear View playing through its speakers.

3. The performance proved nostalgia does not have to feel like a novelty act

Nostalgia was undeniably part of Hootie & the Blowfish’s appeal Thursday night. For many fans, the performance offered an opportunity to revisit songs connected to high school, college, family road trips or the seemingly endless radio rotation of the 1990s.

But the set did not feel like a band simply cashing in on memories.

Hootie & the Blowfish still performed like a working group rather than a collection of musicians assembled to reproduce old recordings. The songs were treated as living pieces of the band’s catalog, not museum exhibits that needed to be preserved exactly as they sounded three decades ago.

There was comfort in hearing the hits, but there was also substance behind them. The performance reminded the crowd why the music became so successful in the first place: strong melodies, instantly memorable hooks and a band whose chemistry has always felt refreshingly unforced.

Nostalgia may have drawn some fans to the stage, but the performance gave them more than nostalgia in return.

4. Hootie brought welcome rock energy to a country festival

Windy City Smokeout has increasingly shown that country music does not need to exist inside rigid boundaries. Hootie & the Blowfish pushed those boundaries further by bringing a rootsy pop-rock sound to the festival’s Thursday-night headlining slot.

Their guitars gave the evening a different texture from the more traditionally country performances heard earlier in the day. The change never felt disruptive, though. Hootie’s music shares enough DNA with country—storytelling, acoustic foundations and melodies designed for communal singing—that the band fit comfortably into the Smokeout atmosphere.

At the same time, the group’s rock energy helped distinguish Thursday from the festival’s other days. It provided a refreshing reminder that a strong country festival can become more interesting, not less authentic, when its lineup leaves room for complementary sounds.

Hootie may not fit every narrow definition of a country band, but on Thursday night, the group certainly looked at home.

5. Darius Rucker’s country career made Hootie a natural Smokeout headliner

Had Hootie & the Blowfish appeared at a country festival during the height of the band’s initial success, the booking might have seemed unexpected.

That is no longer the case.

Rucker’s enormously successful country career has connected two major chapters of his musical life. Fans who first discovered him through Hootie now stand beside younger listeners who may know him best through his solo hits and his version of “Wagon Wheel.”

That crossover made Hootie uniquely qualified to headline Windy City Smokeout. The band could satisfy fans looking for 1990s favorites while remaining relevant to an audience accustomed to hearing Rucker on country radio.

Instead of feeling like an artist borrowed from another genre, Hootie felt like part of the extended country family. Rucker’s career has made the distance between those musical worlds seem considerably smaller than it once did.

6. Scotty McCreery’s baritone sounded even bigger in person

Long before Hootie & the Blowfish took the stage, Scotty McCreery gave the crowd one of Thursday’s most distinctly country performances.

McCreery possesses a voice that is almost impossible to mistake for anyone else’s. His low, resonant baritone immediately gave his set an identity of its own, cutting through the open-air festival environment with clarity and authority.

That voice has always made McCreery sound older than his years, but his performance demonstrated the confidence and control that have come with experience. He no longer feels defined by the television competition that introduced him to a national audience. He carries himself like an established country performer with a substantial catalog and a clear understanding of what his audience wants.

The depth of his vocals also created a compelling contrast with Rucker’s later performance. Day 2 featured two of popular music’s most recognizable baritones, each approaching country music from a different direction.

7. Scotty McCreery and Hootie & the Blowfish made “Bottle Rockets” history

The most memorable moment of Day 2 arrived before Hootie’s headlining set had even begun.

During his performance, McCreery welcomed Hootie & the Blowfish to the stage for “Bottle Rockets,” marking the first time the artists had performed their collaboration together in concert.

The song was already a natural fit for the festival. Its easygoing, summertime energy matched an event built around live country music, barbecue and spending an entire day outdoors with friends. Hearing it performed by McCreery alone would have worked perfectly well.

Bringing out Hootie, however, elevated it from another song in the set to a genuine festival moment.

The collaboration also tied the day’s two biggest performances together. Rather than Scotty McCreery’s set ending and Hootie’s beginning as completely separate attractions, “Bottle Rockets” created a bridge between them. It rewarded fans who arrived early, generated anticipation for the headliner and delivered something that could not simply be replicated at the next tour stop.

Festivals are at their best when they produce moments made possible by having so many artists gathered in one place. On Thursday, Windy City Smokeout gave Chicago exactly that.

Hootie & the Blowfish may have supplied the familiar songs that closed the evening, but their surprise appearance with McCreery ensured that Day 2 also offered something entirely new.

  • Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration
Concert Photos, Features, News

Photos: The Who Say Farewell at Chicago’s United Center

Leave a comment
Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration

Chicago’s United Center pulsed with electric nostalgia as rock titans The Who took the stage for one of the most emotionally charged shows of their The Song Is Over: North American Farewell Tour, delivering a performance that felt both like a grand goodbye and a triumphant celebration of a six-decade legacy.

Announced in May as their last-ever run across the U.S. and Canada, this farewell tour sees founding members Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey closing the book on a storied career with passion and tribute to fans past and present. The Windy City stop, supported by the blues virtuoso Joe Bonamassa, was one of the defining moments of the tour, a soaring blend of rock anthems, cinematic flair, and heartfelt reflection.

Performing to a sold-out crowd, The Who offered fans a taste of every era in their expansive catalog, from early revolutionary hits to timeless rock operas, delivered by two legends who still exude fiery stage presence and musical integrity. As the house lights dimmed one last time, the Chicago audience was left awestruck, united in appreciation, memory, and the bittersweet realization of an era’s end. Punk-powered riffs met tender moments, and emotional crescendos reminded everyone why The Who’s music still resonates across generations.

Relive the evening through our exclusive photo gallery, capturing the raw energy, iconic stagecraft, and timeless magic of The Who’s farewell night in Chicago.

Features, News

Benson Boone Brings Acrobatics Heart and Humor to Sold Out United Center Stop of American Heart Tour

Leave a comment

Benson Boone brought his first ever headlining arena tour to Chicago on Saturday night and the United Center was more than ready for him. The American Heart World Tour kicked off just the night before in Saint Paul but already felt like a well-oiled machine as Boone stepped in front of a sold out crowd that proved he has quickly outgrown theaters.

The extended stage stretched the length of the arena floor with a massive heart shaped platform at the end, giving fans throughout the building a clear view of the action. The setup allowed Boone to cover nearly every inch of the arena and made the show feel as personal as it did larger than life. From the opening moments to the final notes, the energy in the building never wavered.

The night started with a humorous skit on the video screens featuring Boone and his “agent” from the fictional Industry Plant Records, poking fun at the chatter surrounding his quick ascent in the industry. It was a clever way to break the ice and set the tone, showing fans that Boone is fully aware of the talk around him and not afraid to laugh about it. When he finally took the stage, the cheers were deafening and the playful mood carried over into his performance. The United Center is known for hosting some of the biggest names in the world, but Boone carried himself as though he had been playing arenas for years.

Part of what separates Boone from many of his peers is his ability to combine athleticism with musicianship. His acrobatics were a constant thrill throughout the night, as he executed flip after flip across the stage. We counted eight in total, though without an abacus on hand it is possible we missed one. Each flip drew a roar from the crowd and became a signature punctuation mark on the performance. None stood out more than the backflip off his piano, which came after a moving rendition of “Slow It Down” played on a disco ball coated instrument at the top of the stage. It was a moment that summed up Boone’s style perfectly, seamlessly blending heartfelt sincerity with show-stopping flair.

There was no shortage of emotional moments either. “Momma Song” featured home video clips projected on the arena screens, including touching family footage and a clip of his father doing a backflip. The crowd responded warmly, applauding the gesture and embracing the sense of family woven into Boone’s art. Later, during “In The Stars,” he was raised into the air at the B stage while seated at a sparkling blue piano, creating a visual that turned the arena into something out of a dream. And perhaps the most ambitious staging of the night came during “Mystical Magical,” when Boone was strapped to a massive chandelier that floated through the air above the floor before gently landing above the heart shaped B stage. It was the kind of theatrical spectacle you might expect from pop veterans, not someone on their very first arena run, and it left the crowd in awe.

Of course, Boone also left room for surprises. Halfway through the set he invited his friend and tour photographer Mclean Long on stage to help announce the night’s special cover song. Long fired a shirt into the crowd with a t-shirt cannon, and when a fan held it up for the camera it revealed the title of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son.” Boone and his band tore through the track with a raw edge that felt like a change of pace from the polished pop that filled the rest of the night. It was one of those moments that reminded fans that Boone is not just an entertainer but also a music fan eager to share his own influences.

The stage itself became as much a part of the show as Boone. The catwalk allowed him to run the length of the floor and greet fans on both sides of the arena, while the heart shaped B stage created a natural focal point for some of the night’s biggest numbers. Even in an arena the size of the United Center, Boone managed to create intimacy, crouching down to interact with fans and letting the crowd carry parts of songs. At times it felt less like a pop concert and more like a community gathering, which only added to the sense of celebration.

Benson also showcased his sense of humor throughout the night. “One of the most terrifying things about this stage is no matter where I’m singing, someone is staring at my front, my back and my side.” “He continued “I feel like a clinch my butt a lot when I sing… I’m so sorry but I have to do it when I sing”. The clinching definitely paid off as he hit the high notes all night.

By the encore of “Cry” it was clear that Boone had left everything on the stage. His mix of humor, high flying acrobatics, heartfelt piano ballads, and his ability to connect with tens of thousands of fans at once made the evening feel like more than just another tour stop. For a first headlining arena run, the polish and confidence were striking, but what stood out most was Boone’s genuine joy. He smiled through nearly every song, often looking as if he could not quite believe the size of the crowd in front of him.

In a building that has hosted legends from every genre, Benson Boone managed to leave his own mark. The sold out crowd of fans singing along to every word made clear that he is not just filling arenas but commanding them. The American Heart Tour feels like the next chapter in a career that is only just getting started, and on Saturday night in Chicago, fans were there for every flip, every laugh, and every heartfelt note.

Features, News

Benson Boone Set to Bring His “American Heart Tour” to the United Center this Saturday

Leave a comment
Benson Boone performs at SXSW’s “Sips & Sounds” Music Festival in Austin, TX (Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration).

Pop sensation Benson Boone, fresh off the release of his second studio album American Heart in June, lands at Chicago’s United Center this Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 8:00 PM (Doors open at 7:00 PM) as part of his American Heart World Tour. The tour, set to launch just one day earlier at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, marking Boone’s first all‑arena run across North America and Europe, set to wrap up in Stockholm in mid‑November.

Boone’s sophomore LP, American Heart, dropped June 20 and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The album features singles like “Sorry I’m Here for Someone Else,” the retro‑tinged “Mystical Magical,” and the soaring “Mr Electric Blue,” all showcasing his theatrical pop‑rock flair and vocal prowess.

Getting There: Benson Boone Style

In a playful nod to fans on the move, Google has rolled out a Benson Boone–themed navigation experience in Maps ahead of the tour. From August 14 onward, fans in the U.S. can swap their standard navigation arrow for Boone’s Mustang, tap the arrow during route navigation, and voilà, Mr. Boone is your co‑pilot.

On desktop Street View, the famous Google Pegman transforms into Boone himself, dressed in his signature jumpsuit performing a backflip—whenever you explore the locations of tour venues like the United Center.

What to Expect at United Center

As Benson Boone brings the American Heart tour to one of Chicago’s most iconic venues, fans can expect a high-energy arena performance that leans into his vibrant pop‑rock aesthetic and signature theatrics, from backflips to soaring vocals.

The evening promises a journey through his new album’s eclectic tracks, including “Mystical Magical” with its Seventies‑vibe and “Mr Electric Blue” that taps into classic rock and Americana roots. And of course, the show will likely feature “Beautiful Things,” the hit that cemented his breakout success.

Whether you’re there in person, or navigating via Google Maps, this performance is set to be one of the stand‑out dates of the summer concert season for Boone.

Quick Info

  • Date & Time: Saturday, August 23, 2025 — show begins at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:00 PM
  • Venue: United Center, Chicago, IL
  • Album: American Heart, released June 20, 2025
  • Tour: American Heart World Tour — first arena tour, spanning North America and Europe
  • Google Maps Features: Mustang driving avatar, back‑flipping Pegman in Street View, “Go List” of Boone’s favorite tour‑city spots
Concert Photos, Features, News

Photos: Kane Brown Closes Out Night 3 of Windy City Smokeout 2025 with a Bang

Leave a comment
Kane Brown headlines the third night of Windy City Smokeout 2025 (Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration).

Windy City Smokeout hit full stride on Saturday night as country superstar Kane Brown lit up the stage for a sold-out crowd outside the United Center. Following a strong set from Megan Moroney, Brown’s high-energy headlining performance capped off a stacked third night of the four-day BBQ and country music bash in the heart of Chicago.

Fans packed into the festival grounds hours before the main event, some securing a spot for Megan Moroney’s early evening set, which included fan favorites like “Tennessee Orange” and “I’m Not Pretty.” Moroney’s effortless charm and twangy vocals were a perfect appetizer for what was to come, and judging by the sea of boots and beer cans already in motion, the crowd was more than ready for round two.

By the time Kane Brown hit the stage, the sun had dipped low and the skyline backdrop gave way to festival lights and phone flashlights. From the opening notes of “I Am” to the encore of “Miles On It”, Brown gave fans the full range of his catalog. The crowd erupted for “Be Like That” and swayed during the heartfelt “Homesick,” proving Kane’s ability to bounce between stadium-sized energy and intimate connection with ease.

The production was large, with plenty of pyro and Kane striding across the catwalk to interact with fans in every direction. At several points, he paused to soak in the energy of the night.

Scroll down to check out our favorite shots from Kane Brown’s unforgettable Saturday night set at Windy City Smokeout 2025.

Photos by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration

  • Kane Brown headlines the third night of Windy City Smokeout 2025 (Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration).
Concert Photos, Features, News

Photos: Bailey Zimmerman Kicks Off Windy City Smokeout 2025 With a Stormy Yet Unstoppable Homecoming

Leave a comment
Bailey Zimmerman performed for his home crowd to kick off night one of the Windy City Smokeout 2025 (Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration).

Windy City Smokeout 2025 opened with a bang, and a boom of thunder, as Day 1 of the beloved country and BBQ festival brought music, chaos, and a whole lot of rain to the United Center parking lot. What began as a hot and humid Thursday quickly turned into a weather rollercoaster, but that didn’t stop Illinois native Bailey Zimmerman from closing out the night with a powerful, high-energy set that felt like a homecoming celebration.

Earlier in the evening, Koe Wetzel took the stage for a shortened performance. Originally scheduled to play for over an hour, Koe cut his set short after a little more than 30 minutes. Fans could tell something was off, his trademark grit was there, but he was clearly battling vocal issues, often stepping back from the mic between songs. Despite the abbreviated set, Wetzel powered through with crowd favorites.

Just before 7 p.m., the sky opened up and festival organizers made the difficult call to evacuate the grounds due to lightning in the area. For two hours, fans huddled under shelter or headed back to their cars, unsure whether the night’s headlining performance would still go on. But just after 9 p.m., the all-clear was given, and Bailey Zimmerman took the stage, greeted by a roar of cheers from a soaked but thrilled audience.

Zimmerman, who proudly hails from Illinois, didn’t let the rain or delay slow him down. He came out with unmatched energy, making up for lost time with an explosive set that kept fans singing and dancing late into the night. His gratitude for the crowd’s patience and passion was evident, turning the set into something that felt more like a celebration than just a concert.

Day 1 may not have gone exactly as planned, but thanks to Bailey Zimmerman, it still ended on a high note.

Scroll down to check out some of our favorite photos from Day 1 of Windy City Smokeout 2025 (Photos by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration).

Bailey Zimmerman

Koe Wetzel

Features, News

Brisket, Boots & Bailey Zimmerman: Your Guide to Windy City Smokeout 2025

Leave a comment
Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration

Get ready, Chicago! The Windy City Smokeout, Chictown’s signature country‑music and BBQ extravaganza, is back July 10–13, 2025 at the United Center. This marks its 12th edition, and it’s shaping up to be the most mouthwatering yet.

Music Highlights

Thursday, July 10
Headlined by ACM’s 2023 New Male Artist of the Year Bailey Zimmerman, supported by the gritty country‑rock of Koe Wetzel, Shane Smith & The Saints, Bayker Blankenship, and powerhouse newcomer Angel White.

Friday, July 11
Experience Old Dominion (ACM Group of the Year 2024) and breakout star Dylan Gossett, alongside talented rising acts Josh Meloy, Lauren Watkins, and Maggie Antone.

Saturday, July 12
The weekend reaches full throttle with Kane Brown and ACM’s 2024 New Female Artist of the Year Megan Moroney, plus Charles Wesley Godwin, Austin Snell, and Kashus Culpepper rounding out the day.

Sunday, July 13
Closing night features country star Jon Pardi and Riley Green, plus exciting newer names like Ella Langley, Sam Barber, and Josh Ross.

With over 20 artists across all four days, this year’s bill blends superstar headliners with aspiring and independent voices in country, Americana, and folk-influenced country.

BBQ + Beer = Chicago’s Tastiest Tradition

This festival isn’t just about music, it’s a curated feast of top-tier BBQ and craft beer. Over 20 celebrated pitmasters will bring regional BBQ firepower from across the U.S., including Chicago legends and national favorites:

  • Chicago stalwarts: Bub City, Smoque BBQ, Lexington Betty Smokehouse, Chef Art Smith’s Reunion, Green Street Smoked Meats, and Soul & Smoke
  • Regional stars: Little Miss BBQ (Phoenix, AZ), Hoodoo Brown BBQ (Connecticut), Heritage Barbecue (California), Pappy’s Smokehouse (St. Louis), Dayne’s Craft BBQ (Texas), Wright’s Barbecue (Arkansas), and more.

Expect bold, regional styles and a pitmaster buffet experience that pairs perfectly with live tunes. Note: food is available for purchase separately from wristband access.

Ticket Options & Events

Choose from 4‑day or single‑day General Admission, VIP, or Platinum wristbands.

  • General Admission grants access to all live music stages, BBQ vendors, and cashless concessions.
  • VIP wristbands offer shaded elevated decks, express entry, air‑conditioned restrooms, private bars, and charging stations.
  • Platinum Experience includes premium amenities: golf cart transport, reserved parking, chef‑curated food & drinks, exclusive viewing zones, and concierge service.

Special-ticket events include the Friday “Biggest Happy Hour of the Summer” and the bottomless Sunday BBQ Brunch, open to 4‑day or Sunday pass holders. Brunch features live acoustic sets, mimosas, build-your‑own Bloody Marys, and buffet‑style BBQ favorites.

Why Windy City Smokeout Stands Out

  • This festival is one of Chicago’s only dedicated country‑music weekends downtown, blending big names and local talent across four days.
  • Its location at the United Center parking lot offers urban energy combined with the intimacy of an open‑air BBQ festival.
  • Curated by Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants and festival promoter Ed Warm, Smokeout consistently marries top-tier music with top-tier pitmasters, earning its status as one of the premier country + BBQ events in the country.

MORE INFO

  • Getting here: United Center is at 1901 W Madison St, easily reachable via public transit or ride share.
  • Stay nearby: Hotels in Near West Side and West Loop offer great proximity; consider booking early due to high demand.

Windy City Smokeout 2025 delivers a perfect midsummer mix: rising and established country stars, mouthwatering BBQ with a national and local flair, and Chicago’s festival energy right downtown.

Whether you’re chasing country classics or chasing burnt ends, this four‑day event promises something to savor for every country‑music and BBQ lover in Windy City.

Keep an eye on windycitysmokeout.com and the festival’s social channels for updates and more info.

Concert Photos, Features, News

Review: Katy Perry Shines Bright in Chicago Return with The Lifetimes Tour

Leave a comment
Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration

After more than a half a decade without a major tour and fresh off her Las Vegas residency, Katy Perry made her grand return to the road with The Lifetimes Tour and Chicago got one of the first sparkling glimpses.

Performing at the United Center on Monday night, the pop powerhouse proved she’s still one of the genre’s most theatrical and hit-packed performers. From the second she emerged in a shimmering silver bodysuit, descending amid a dazzling burst of light like a disco ball turned human, Perry commanded the attention of a packed arena like few others can.

The setlist played out like a well-curated time capsule of the last 15 years in pop music. Early fan favorites like “Hot n Cold” and “Waking Up in Vegas” brought the nostalgic energy, while chart-toppers like “Teenage Dream” and “Firework” were delivered with arena-sized spectacle and emotion. But this wasn’t just a retro greatest-hits parade. Perry smartly wove in newer tracks like “Woman’s World” and “Electric,” showing she’s still evolving and isn’t afraid to blend synth-forward, pop-futurist textures into her sound.

Between songs, Perry showcased her signature mix of quirk and heart, cracking jokes, making a few perfectly awkward dad-worthy puns, and sharing reflections on motherhood, creativity, and what it means to live through several “lifetimes” in the public eye.

The staging was grand and often cinematic, think oversized flower props, digital dreamscapes, and one jaw-dropping moment involving a lifesize, animatronic carousel horse. And yes, the costume changes were as frequent as they were fantastic: campy, couture, and always uniquely Katy.

While Perry may no longer dominate the charts the way she once did, her live show reminded everyone in attendance just how deep her catalog runs and how enduring her star power truly is. For a generation of fans who grew up with her, Monday night felt less like a comeback and more like a triumphant reunion.

For those who missed this tour stop? Consider this your notice: Katy Perry is back and she still knows how to throw a damn good pop party.

Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration

  • Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration