Jukebox the Ghost bring warmth, playfulness to a rainy Chicago night
On a rainy fall night in Chicago, the Metro was instead brimming with bright tunes, joyful dancing, and playful banter as Jukebox the Ghost brought the Phantasmagorical Tour to town on October 18.
Entering the venue was a welcome change to the chilled wind outside. I was greeted with the warmth of a full venue and of the anticipation of the crowd. Finally, the house lights went down and Boys Go To Jupiter burst onto the stage.
BOYS GO TO JUPITER
The indie-pop newcomers were a breath of fresh air, filling the stage with energy, passion, and people. The Brooklyn-based trio, consisting of Caleb Martin-Rosenthal on keyboard, Jess Kantorowitz with vocals, and Luke Volkert on guitar, were supported on stage by four other musicians playing bass, trumpet, trombone, and drums.
With a full stage and full sound, the band showed off their storytelling-driven tracks, many of which would fit just as well in a broadway show as they do a standing-room venue.
Kantorowitz’s strong and soulful vocals demanded attention as she belted out the tracks with ease. She danced around the stage engaging the audience and her fellow bandmates with infectious energy. The group set the tone for the show: pure fun!
As I waited in the photo pit between sets, a fan on the barricade offered me a handmade bead bracelet. They shared that they had given several bracelets out to other fans at the show, even saving one for a fan they’ve met at other Jukebox the Ghost shows. I chose a bracelet made of pink and white beads that said “Stranger.”
JUKEBOX THE GHOST
It was a fitting choice as moments later the house lights dimmed and Jukebox the Ghost took the stage opening with “Stranger” off the band’s latest album.
The Washington, D.C.-based band took the stage to a clean and simple set-up — a grand piano on the right, microphone and guitars on the left, and drums in the middle. The trio also arrived dressed to impress in brown suits, blue collared shirts, and red ties, matching their outfits on the Phantasmagorical Vol. 1 album cover.
“They say dress for the job you want, that's why we're dressed like Mr. Bean,” guitarist Tommy Siegal said from the stage.
The line garnered a laugh from the crowd and was just one of many bits and quips throughout the show. The comedy peaked as Jukebox the Ghost was set to play a version of “Hold It In” off their debut album Let Live & Let Ghosts that they called “Hold It In Supreme.”
To make the version “Supreme,” the band members each swapped instruments. Siegal sat down at the piano, Drummer Jesse Kristin picked up the guitar, and vocalist and pianist Ben Thornewill took the drums.
I, and many other fans in the crowd, couldn’t contain our laughter as these skilled and talented musicians tried their best to play a new instrument. The missed notes and imperfect playing made the song a standout of the set. It was evident that everyone in the room, both on and off stage, was having so much fun.
Thornewill discussed the importance of having fun while writing Phantasmagorical Vol. 1 in an interview with RØKKR. One of the ways the band kept things interesting was with intermission style tracks such as fake radio introductions and miscellaneous medical side effects. Similar tracks were incorporated into the show, or more accurately interrupted the show as the band feigned confusion at each radio show clip or broadcaster voice played over the speakers.
The broadcaster interrupted “End of the Show,” ironically an opening track on Phantasmagorical Vol. 1 but the last track Jukebox the Ghost played before the encore, to announce that this was the end of the show. Thornewill rebutted stating that the band were indeed still singing the song. The broadcaster then berated the band for lying to all the loyal fans.
Fans, however, didn't seem to mind the fib. The crowd danced and sang along to the last few songs of the set including a cover of Chappell Roan's “Pink Pony Club” and closing with the lively track “Victoria” bringing a playfully fitting end to a wonderfully fun show.
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