Show Review: Boyscott @ Metro Chicago, IL
by Alex King
On Thursday night, Wabie and Boyscott joined Summer Salt on stage at Chicago’s Metro for a stop on the Reside Tour. Having reached the tour’s halfway point, all three bands performed with the enthusiasm of acts just getting started. From the moment doors opened, the energy inside Metro felt magnetic, with a crowd eager for a night of dreamy indie pop and nostalgic surf-tinged rock.
Wabie kicked off the evening. The Los Angeles musician, best known for his bedroom pop viral hit “Hey Lover” and his distinctive animation work, took the stage alongside a band of equally talented musicians. Together, they delivered a carefully curated set filled with soft, intimate melodies and shimmering indie-pop textures. Wabie’s stage presence mirrored his recorded work: gentle, slightly understated, but charmingly sincere. The set felt tailor-made for indie pop fans, blending vulnerability with laid-back grooves that immediately set the tone for the night.
The evening continued with Boyscott, the indie rock band hailing from the Northeast, led by songwriter Scott Hermo Jr. The group worked through selections from their beloved 2015 release Goosebumps, and their newer material from 2024’s Spellbound. Boyscott’s sound is beautifully cohesive, with each member complementing the others to create a warm, atmospheric blend of rock reminiscent of ’90s acts like Mazzy Star.
Many of the band members are also involved in other creative projects, including the side project Lazy Trail, which adds another layer to their already rich musical identity. Hermo Jr. proved to be both a humorous and engaging frontman, frequently interacting with the audience and leading them into playful “hip hip hooray” chants throughout the set. His slightly nervous but endearing stage presence gave the performance an intimate, personal feel. Boyscott closed their set with “Nova Scotia 500,” one of their most recognizable songs from Goosebumps, leaving the crowd buzzing with anticipation for the night’s headliner.
Summer Salt soon followed, bringing their signature breezy charm all the way from Austin, Texas. The band performed songs spanning their expansive discography while highlighting newer material from their 2025 release Reside. They launched into one of the longest setlists I’ve seen performed live, made possible by their catalog of shorter, tightly crafted songs. Much to the delight of the audience, who happily stayed engaged from start to finish.
Lead singer, Matthew Terry, delivered vocals that floated effortlessly above the band’s warm instrumentation. His smooth, almost soprano-like tone gave each song a velvety softness that perfectly complements Summer Salt’s nostalgic aesthetic. The band’s overall sound evokes doo-wop influences and ’60s-inspired pop sensibilities, blending surf rock, indie pop, and romanticism into something distinctly their own.
Tracks like “Driving to Hawaii,” “Revvin’ My CJ7,” and “Swinging for the Fences” showcased the band’s ability to craft songs that feel both playful and wistful. Their music carries an unmistakable sense of escapism, songs that feel equally suited for long summer drives or quiet nights camping under open skies.
By the time the final notes rang out, the Reside Tour’s Chicago stop had delivered a full evening of lush melodies, heartfelt performances, and cohesive indie artistry. Each band brought its own distinct personality while still fitting seamlessly into the night’s dreamy, nostalgic atmosphere.
