Show Review: The Devil Wears Prada, Silent Planet, and More at the House of Blues in Chicago, IL

October 30, 2024

Greyhaven didn’t hold back as they hit the stage with high energy containing elements and shades of older metalcore acts like Norma Jean, Underoath, or The Dillinger Escape Plan. Cohesive and honest, Greyhaven are an open book as they delve deep into personal topics and honesty all over chaotic breakdowns. With loads of energy and personality, Greyhaven have the makings for more as they continue to perfect and refine their hard-hitting sound connecting with fans through their heartfelt and down-to-earth lyrics

SeeYouSpaceCowboy is one of those bands where you feel like you should have been seeing them 15+ years ago when post-hardcore/metalcore was really at its peak with bands like Alesana, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Chiodos, D.R.U.G.S., etc, but instead you’re seeing a new and improved version of that sound that is both a blend of then and now. With their latest record, Coup de Grace, SYSC further cemented themselves as the new faces of metalcore perfecting their fusion of old and new school through spin kick breakdowns, catchy chorus, and memorable melodies. I caught them on their record release tour earlier this year, so seeing these new songs again in the same year was an awesome treat.

I first discovered Like Moths to Flames back in high-school during the mid-2010s when the era of metalcore like Attack! Attack!, We Came As Romans, Of Mice & Men, etc were all the rage. Back then they stood out with their crushing breakdowns and ability to never let off the throttle in their songs which was in stark contrast to much of the metalcore acts out during that time. I felt like at the time they were a bit underappreciated and overshadowed by other acts, but they weathered through that early stage in their career coming out stronger and still just as heavy today. Incorporating more dynamic elements into their songs now, LMTF still know how to get the room moving with breakdown after breakdown.

If you haven’t heard of Silent Planet, you need to come out from under the rock you’ve been under. Touring multiple times a year across venues of every size, Silent Planet are the metalcore road dogs that are as consistent as they are unique. Never putting on a bad show, Silent Planet may cause some initial confusion due to their progressive metalcore style, but once you wrap yourself around it you quickly realize how sick they are. Consisting of intricate post-rock and prog-metal elements, Silent Planet utilizes thought-provoking lyrics to start a dialogue on often difficult-to-talk-about subjects bringing a focus back on lyrics and messaging within metalcore music.

A genre and era defining band that is as iconic as they are good, The Devil Wears Prada are the musical embodiment of an entire sub-genre, musical era, and generation of listeners that are constantly at the forefront of sonic shifts whether it was in 2005 or currently in 2024. Now embarking on their (nearly) 20-year tour, TDWP wanted to celebrate this, near, momentous occasion in the biggest way possible…a stacked tour with equally great metalcore acts and a special performance only for this tour featuring the biggest TDWP party ever + a special setlist to match.

What can you say about TDWP that hasn’t already been stated. Legends and GOATS in their own right, TDWP has cemented their legacy long ago. Similar to when you complete all the side quests first becoming too overpowered for the main missions, TDWP hit multiple home runs early in their career allowing them the ability to play by their own rules since day one. With iconic records like Plagues, Zombie EP, With Roots Above and Branches Below, Dead Throne, and more, TDWP has been THAT band for a while now. Not only that, but TDWP are probably one of the best consistently great live bands out there featuring high-flying energy, great tour billing, regularly hitting the road, and always finding a way to switch things up each tour, there is no such thing as the same TDWP show whereas each show feels like an entirely new experience.

In true TDWP fashion, there was no boring moment as each minute was filled with sonic intensity, high-flying leaps, or visually engaging stage production, as they made sure to step it up to the next level for this special celebration. Hitting all the eras of the band, nothing was left out as they played through their hits like “Dogs Can Grow Bears All Over”, “Mammoth” “Danger: Wildman”, “Born to Lose”, or “Hey John, What’s Your Name Again”, alongside b-side tracks, and even some deep cut songs that haven’t been shown love in years. Even cooler it seems TDWP is doing a special fan-voted track unique to each city, so you never know what special song your city may get that night. Performing at the top of their game, it’s not a surprise Prada continues to sell out shows left and right while not only maintaining their core fan base, but expanding it too. While any Prada show is a great one to catch, this tour specifically is one of those can’t miss tours for fans or even new fans as it’ll cover all the mandatory basses and then some for a full-fledged Devil Wears Prada experience.

The Devil Wears Prada