Show Review: Moonchild @ Thalia Hall, Chicago
by Alex King
3/13/26 - CHICAGO, IL: Los Angeles progressive R&B trio Moonchild brought their Waves Tour to Chicago’s Thalia Hall on Friday the 13th for the first of two sold-out shows at the venue. Despite the ominous date, the night felt anything but unlucky, as the band delivered a warm and soulful performance to a packed house eager for an evening of smooth grooves and heartfelt connection.
Opening the night was Chicago’s very own singer-songwriter, Brittney Carter. Carter energized the crowd with a vibrant mix of beats and rap verses drawn from her latest EP, Black Sheep. Between songs, she shared that some of the beats were created during DJ Jazzy Jeff’s renowned hip-hop retreat, a collaborative gathering for artists to write and experiment together. It quickly became clear why Carter had earned a place in that creative space. She was a natural performer, immediately connecting with the audience through confident delivery and magnetic stage presence.
Following Carter’s set, the evening briefly shifted from performance to conversation with a Q&A session featuring community organization Sista Afya. The nonprofit provides accessible mental wellness care to women on Chicago’s South Side, and the discussion highlighted the importance of community-centered mental health resources. The Q&A is a regular feature of Moonchild’s tour stops, with the band inviting a local organization to speak at each show. The thoughtful inclusion demonstrated Moonchild’s commitment to building meaningful connections with both their fans and the cities they visit.
Soon after, Moonchild took the stage to enthusiastic applause. Lead singer Amber Navran’s voice filled the room almost instantly; her smooth, airy tone guiding the audience through a series of neo-soul ballads and lush instrumentals that wrapped Thalia Hall in warmth.
The Waves Tour stage design felt intimate and dreamy. Cutout waves framed a glowing moon backdrop; an aesthetic nod to imagery seen across the band’s past album covers, while a purple couch sat at center stage. The color matched Navran’s fuzzy, feathered shawl, giving the entire set a cozy, living-room feel that complemented the band’s relaxed sound.
Bandmates Andris Mattson and Max Bryk led the ensemble through a selection of fan favorites, including “The Other Side,” “Money,” and the beloved “The List.” Throughout the performance, Navran remained a humble and gracious frontwoman, frequently pausing to applaud the musical talents of her bandmates. Her admiration for the group was genuine, reinforcing the feeling that Moonchild is less a traditional fronted band and more a tightly knit collective. The show also featured brief medleys honoring legendary artists such as Erykah Badu and Usher. These moments blended seamlessly into the set, flowing so naturally that they often felt like extensions of Moonchild’s own songs rather than separate covers.
As the evening drew to a close, the band returned for an encore with “Cure” from their 2017 album Voyager. The crowd immediately erupted at the song’s opening notes. Throughout the performance, Navran repeatedly held the microphone toward the audience, inviting them to sing along, and they did. By the end of the night, the atmosphere inside Thalia Hall felt less like a concert and more like a reunion among friends. Before leaving the stage, the band paused to take a photo with the crowd behind them, capturing a moment that felt both celebratory and intimate. After more than 15 years of making music together, Moonchild still performs with the excitement and gratitude of a band just beginning its journey.
