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TWISTED TEENS AT SLEEPING VILLAGE CHICAGO 7/17/26

Published 21 days ago • 2 min read

REVIEW: TWISTED TEENS PACK CHICAGO'S SLEEPING VILLAGE

A couple nights ago my wife and I were sitting on our back porch having drinks. She had just gotten back from one of the dozen neighborhood festivals Chicago has come to be synonymous with. She was going on about Hurray For The Riff Raff's set when she quipped, "What's up with hipsters and americana music all of a sudden? When did that become a thing?" I dunno. Big Thief? All those awful stomp, clap, shout bands from like 10 years ago? Early 2000's folk punk?

I don't think she meant it as a complaint, but more as an open ended question of what forces are behind it's revival and rebirth.

Which brings me to the topic of New Orleans swamp yarling duo known as TWISTED TEENS. The band announced a support tour with Kurt Vile, put out 2 fantastic records in the last 6 months, and their summer shows are selling out fast. Word of mouth started to spread like Canadian wildfire after positive reviews and praise for their latest album, Florida Water Blues. I was able to get a headstart and bought tickets to their Chicago date the day it was posted and right before their new album was announced. Once the album dropped, the show sold out and most likely their remaining tour dates will as well.

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Everything cool and groundbreaking always seems to evade me until it's already too late, but sometimes there's the slimmest exception. Sometimes you're scrolling through instagram and there's a post from Goner Records announcing the latest batch of restocks along with a brief rundown on the artist. When Goner Records shouts out a band, give heed. I went and checked out their self-titled orange album and immediately had a wtf is this moment. First track, opening line, "The only thing original about you is sin". Over blown drums, crackling lo-fi production, lap steel guitar, punk rock. Now it's time to be a bully, bully bully. I gotta see this band live. So I bought tickets to their show in November with Kurt Vile in Louisville, KY. And wouldn't you know it, a couple months later they announce a Chicago date happening less than 2 miles from my house.

Sleeping Village is a fantastic spot. Great sound, killer drink menu, spacious patio. Sold out Sleeping Village is a different matter. For the vertically challenged, if you are unable to cram onto the floor space, you will be groovin' at the back of the room. Your view of the show will consist of shoulders and heads of the people directly in front of you. This is why ticketing should be a sliding scale based on height. At full capacity the room is sweltering with the breath of 300 people. Time to pop outside for some fresh air. Ah, but the air quality in Chicago this weekend is literally the most hazardous it has ever been on record since the city burned to the ground 150 years ago.

The band played up to the hype. The set consisted of about 75 minutes of tracks spanning across their entire discography. Personal favorite was an encore rendition of Marionette and Sea of Love. Merch was reasonably priced. They even had stenciled decorative hand saws for those willing to drop $300 for a one-of-a kind souvenir. I regret not picking up a cassette copy of Blame The Clown. Undoubtedly, they will be playing a bigger space next time they roll through town. As long as it's not Aragon Ballroom, I will be there.

  • Adam

Toe-Tapper Magazine

DIY indie-punk label and zine, based out of Chicago, IL.

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