Opening the night for Jutes’ Smile You’re On Tour at Chicago’s House of Blues on August 15, Wilt wasted little time winning over a room that was still filling in. The Los Angeles-based band, who have fittingly dubbed themselves “your favorite band you’ve never heard of,” brought a hazy mix of grunge, shoegaze and alternative rock to the stage, setting a darker, heavier tone early in the night.
Frontwoman Chelsea Klinger’s vocals floated over layers of distortion from guitarists Aaron Liebman and Andrew Perrea, while drummer Dan Bermudez gave the set its heavier backbone. Together, the four-piece found a balance between dreamy and aggressive that translated especially well live. Fresh off the release of their latest single, “Dent,” just one day prior, Wilt also took some time during the set to talk about their debut album, due out this October.
The band also worked a cover of t.A.T.u.’s “All the Things She Said” into the set, putting their own heavier, atmospheric spin on the early-2000s hit. Rather than feeling like a band simply warming up the crowd, Wilt played with confidence and made the most of their time on stage, pulling more of the room in as the set went on.
By the end of their performance, that “your favorite band you’ve never heard of” tagline felt a little less like a slogan and more like a warning. With a debut album on the way and a growing catalog behind them, Wilt gave anyone unfamiliar with them a reason to look them up on the way home, while proving to be a natural fit alongside Jutes and a strong start to the night.
Connor Hannan is a Chicago-based photographer, designer, and Founder and Editor-in-Chief of UPROAR MEDIA. With more than 14 years of experience in visual design and nearly a decade in photography, he has covered major artists, venues, and festivals across the music industry. Combining his background in visual storytelling with a passion for live music, Connor founded UPROAR Media to spotlight both established and emerging artists while capturing the energy and culture surrounding them.
