Photo Gallery: Paramore & Foster The People at Huntington Bank Pavillion at Northerly Island

Brassneck | July 4, 2018

The darkest of themes have a long tradition of being clothed in a pop music disguise. Franklin, Tennessee’s Paramore are no strangers to this approach. At this point, they are arguably a band in name only. With a revolving door of members throughout their decades-plus career, the focal point has always been lead singer Hayley Williams – and for good reason. Paramore’s The After Laughter Summer Tour landed on Chicago’s lakefront earlier this week and from the first few notes, all eyes were glued to Williams.

Her stage presence is magnetic, a combination of childlike wonder and over-caffeinated hyperactivity. She was a glammed up tornado that masks the pain of her material by unabashedly throwing herself into the moment. Judging from the raptured approval of every leg kick and pirouette, she had believers beside her for the duration of the evening. Los Angeles popsters Foster The People, who are currently enjoying massive success with their third full-length release Sacred Hearts Club, helped the early gate crashers get their game faces on.

Recap and photos by Curt Baran