R&B artist Khalid transported his audience back to the nostalgic 2010s, playing hits including “Young Dumb & Broke” and “8TEEN” amid windy Chicago weather Wednesday at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island.
The stop was part of Khalid’s “It’s Always Summer Somewhere Tour,” named after his October album “after the sun goes down.” Like the album, the concert brought forth authentic 2000s and early 2010s influences, making for an upbeat spring night of heartfelt vocals and danceable melodies.
Khalid’s performance began with “Better,” and he continued his momentum with “8TEEN” and “Eastside,” some of his most popular songs.
Pop artist Lauv opened the concert, contributing to the night’s late-2010s vibes with hits “I Like Me Better” and “Paris in the Rain.”
After Lauv’s energetic performance, stage lighting illusions created a 20-second countdown to Khalid.
The R&B artist appeared atop a blue shipping container. Behind him, lights illuminated a huge tower of industrial bars and stacks of speakers. A circle with an illustration of a stick figure under Khalid’s name in big block letters spun from the top of the stage. Throughout the night, Khalid and his four backup dancers alternated between performing on top of the shipping container and in front of it.
From “after the sun goes down,” the audience cheered and swayed for “in plain sight,” “dumbstruck” and “tank top,” some of the album’s more upbeat and electric songs. Khalid’s vocals stood out. As he ad-libbed during “Better” and more relaxed songs on the album, the audience cheered and yelled in awe.
Khalid had a captivating stage presence. The way he moved across the stage and interacted with its design, as well as with the dancers and the audience, was unique and created a story to accompany each song.
For example, during “8TEEN,” four dancers played a game of cup pong and climbed on a table to cheers, clanking their red Solo cups together. For “please don’t call (333),” a fake phone call interrupted Khalid. He answered the call, telling the person on the line he was busy performing for Chicago before hanging up and starting the song again.
He also interacted with the audience, praising Chicago and pointing to specific attendees who danced and sang along, yelling, “I see you!”
While I don’t regularly listen to Khalid, his songs never fail to transport me back to riding shotgun in my childhood best friend’s car in the summer, windows down and leather seats sticking to our legs. The summery outdoor venue allowed for a view of the blue skies and backdrop of Lake Michigan, creating an overall atmosphere of anticipation for the coming months and nostalgia for past summers, possibly spent with a little less responsibility, that only Khalid’s songs can make you feel.
Although I’m not sure what to think of bringing back 2016, I can get behind a resurrection of Khalid’s catchy, smooth music.
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