This article was written by Wendy Davis.
Canadian folk band The Weather Station made their anticipated return to Chicago at Lincoln Hall for the Humanhood tour! Accompanied by Sister Ray, this set was beautifully orchestrated in three different parts, each representing different phases of psyche and the imminent dread of environmental destruction. This poetic structure combined with projected visuals on stage almost made this performance feel like walking through an entire story start to finish. The Weather Station frontwoman, Tamara Lindeman, fully locked into the storyteller role the entire time, engaging the audience with her powerful performance. The other band members, including saxophonist/flautist, Karen Ng, created the perfect blanket of noise for Lindeman to weave in and out of effortlessly. The intimate space at Lincoln Hall created the perfect environment for this kind of performance and the audience was so connected the entire time.
Sister Ray warmed up the crowd with her somber, some deeply personal, songs that quickly drew the audience right in. A few people even appeared to be emotional after her song that tells the beautiful story of Ray’s recent re-connection with her brother. After lots of laughs and a couple of tears, the stage was quickly set and ready for the Weather Station’s return. The focal point of their production design were three large boulders, each about five feet tall, with different visuals projected onto them. Visions of fire, leaves in the wind, and landscapes helped guide the audience through the emotions, tying everything together. The set was a perfectly harmonious blend of their 2021 record Ignorance with the latest release, How Is It That I Should Look at the Stars—folksy, intimate, and a strong, passionate energy all throughout. With Lindeman’s exquisite voice as the center of attention, the way the instruments faded in and out stitching everything together, almost felt like a meditative experience. It sort of seemed like these songs were destined to be intertwined this way, as they seamlessly told the story.
This diverse crowd was respectfully attentive the whole night. Lincoln Hall’s relaxed, come-and-go environment really brought it all together, almost making the evening feel like a group story-time session. A sense of intimacy that otherwise would not have been achieved at a larger, rowdier space. The Humanhood tour guides people through all different phases of change—existential dread, hope, interpersonal connection, all accompanied by symphonies that bring light to the darkest of numbers. Despite the cold, rainy evening, Chicago provided the warmest welcome for The Weather Station to share their next generation of beautiful art.
All photos by Wendy Davis.