📷 : Tina Mead / ✏️ : Aaron Pylinski

Vocalist Stephanie Brooks calmly sat center stage, scrolling her phone as the rest of the band took their time setting up on stage. Despite the band's relaxed demeanor, there was something about the crowd circling closer to the stage that felt like sharks being attracted to blood in the water. Soon I would know why.

Stress Positions opened with “Unholy Intent” which started a seven-song set blasting the crowd in the face with seriously sick hardcore lamentations powerful enough to reach the moon. The first three songs were tied together in a tidal wave of clothes ripping off and guitar licks all over the place. Brooks didn’t skip a breath and held the set to a feverishly high tempo. The crowd matched the intensity with moshing that looked, sounded, and felt like drunken horses stumbling into the stables after curfew. Over the din of the crowd stomping and cheering throughout the set, Brooks’ vocals were impressively keeping tone with guitarist Benyamin Rudolph's chainsaw-like riffs. When they closed with “This Land” it was a hardcore experience I haven’t felt in a while. Overall, it was great to let out all the demons in a safe and beautiful place with amazing people. Stress Positions is a must see band, no questions asked.

The crowd at the front of the stage morphed between bands, more color along with the mixture of denim, faux fur coats, and bright hair. Spread Joy opened with “Chatter” there was a swift sense of intelligent urgency in the lyrics and conveyance.

The band ripped through a combo of songs similar to the early punk musings along with DEVO-esque delivery in their presence and music. The high-treble riffs from guitarist Raidy Hodges, coupled with punchy vocalizations brought out by Briana Hernandez in songs like “Unoriginal” and “Kanst Du” bounced around the room with laser precision. When they kicked off “St. Tropez,” It was powerful, sweet, and less than a minute long. This lined up a handful of bangers like “Violence” and closer, “Ow,” which kept the energy going till the end. But there was still more; so much more.

Headliner, Cel Ray called the crowd back to the stage with the twang of Josh Rodin’s guitar. As people pressed closer, the set opened up. Lead vocals Maddie Daviss was dressed in all red (right down to the shoes) and brought the heat that matched the outfit. Especially when throwing cassette cookies into the crowd to celebrate the release of Cellular Raymond this fine evening.

Daviss swayed delivering hard-hitting lyrical genius on songs like “Surf’s Up (Garfield Park)” and “Clorox Wipes” both off the new tape. Kevin Goggin slammed away on the bass as drummer Alex Watson kept the fever pace through “Clock Me Out” another killer new track. Each song got the crowd revved up more and more and as Daviss worked the stage with unbridled energy, the crowd followed suit with a frenetic mosh pit. They closed with “Dog War” putting an exclamation mark on an already exciting evening with a dizzying cavalcade of drums, guitar, and lyrics.

As always, Chicago, tell us your stories. If you’re interested in contributing words, photos, or videos, let us know. We want the people to tell Chicago’s music story. Keep surfing, y’all!

-aaron pylinski