Photo Gallery: Chvrches at Aragon Ballroom

Brassneck | May 5, 2019

A strange, invisible pall hung over Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom on Thursday night. The Scottish band Chvrches recently called out, on line, their former collaborator Marshmello for working with the infamous rapper and felon Chris Brown, whom the band rightfully called a “predator and abuser.” Since then, escalation in the beef has resulted in lead singer Lauren Mayberry being bombarded with rape and death threats from obviously clueless Brown fans.

Additional security and pat downs were blatantly evident at the venue. Fortunately, all the tension seemed to slip away during the band’s performance. Still touring behind their third and most successful record Love Is Dead, recent dates have felt like a victory lap of sorts. Having already conquered countless headlining performances and numerous festival dates, the trio seemed content to simply entertain.

And during the fifteen song set, Mayberry and her band mate’s found the escape and distraction they so desperately needed. Mayberry specifically, as each skip, pose, mic twirl and pirouette felt like a lung emptying exhale that rippled from her and through the packed ballroom, the healing power of music on full display.

Words and photos by Curt Baran