Chicago – It may have been gloomy outside, as the fog set in and rain poured down, but inside the Metro, fans were all smiles, clearly ready to party. Aer headlined an all-ages show, which featured RDGLDGRN and NeW bEAt FUNd.
NeW bEAt FUNd opened the show with their G-Punk, Cali beach funk, like a gamma ray, bursting with energy. Lead singer Burnie, who resembles a young Liam Gallagher, with his retro shades and moppy hair, bounced around stage, leading the audience in synchronized clapping. Burnie, Snapz, Button, and Michael, the boys of NBF, clearly won over the ladies, as girls jumped around, squealing with excitement. Midway through their set, it became evident that NeW bEAt FUNd also won over the guys in the crowd, with mini mosh-pits forming. When the band played their latest single, “Peachez,” off the EP Coinz (Red Bull Records), the room went wild, dancing and singing along. Before NBF closed their set with “Scare Me,” they demanded that folks grab the person next to them, “freak the fuck out, and maybe make out with them.”
As roadies began to set the stage for the indie go-go group RDGLDGRN, the audience chanted louder and louder: “Red Gold Green. Red Gold Green. Red Gold Green!” The DC band built an underground following with the song “I Love Lamp” before signing with Republic Records and releasing their self-titled debut album. Once they hit the stage, fans went crazy. One young woman screamed, “I love you, Red!” Red walked over to a few fans, quickly chatting them up and shaking hands, before grabbing his guitar. Green began to flawlessly spit “Hey O,” while Gold jumped up and down, hitting his bass hard. Red showed off his skills on guitar, as his long dreads flew in every direction, grinning ear to ear, as if life couldn’t get any better. Halfway through the song, Green busted out his signature footwork, producing a deafening roar from the crowd.
Everyone swayed back and forth, with arms raised, and sung, “I don’t wanna be your friend,” during “I Love Lamp.” Devotees sang along to such songs as “Doing the Most” and “Lootin’ in London.” The three “living colors” thanked Chicago for always showing them love, proving that the town truly is the “Second City,” and asked everyone to make some noise for the Metro staff for making them feel at home. Gold chimed in, asking everybody to chant “USA” for the women’s Olympic hockey team, giving them due, despite their loss to Canada. RDGLDGRN closed with “Million Fans,” but before walking off stage, the soccer fans initiated the chant “Olé, Olé, Olé” for Aer.
Anticipation mounted as the packed house waited for Aer to take the stage in support of their self-titled and self-produced sophomore album. The Boston duo of David von Mering and Carter Schultz recently added a bass player, a drummer and a DJ to the mix, further amplifying their fresh sound and clever lyrics, often labeled as “frat rap.” Their followers proudly proclaim to be “FAM,” of the Fresh Aer Movement, many of whom forever found fandom with The Bright Side, the first LP from Aer. The DJ set the mood, commencing a quick dance session, before asking everyone to give it up for the Aer. The boys hopped on stage, busting into “Whatever We Want.” Fans immediately began rapping along with them, word for word.
After a few songs, David and Carter exclaimed, “Damn, it feels so good to be back in Chicago!” They asked how many people had seen them at Reggie’s last time around; whistles and applause filled the venue in response. Aer played a handful of new songs, including their latest single “Says She Loves Me,” and older songs like “Float My Boat.” They also covered the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Suck My Kiss” and “Shout” by The Isley Brothers, which generated a mini quake, as people jumped up and down, dancing with excitement and clapping fiercely. The men declared that “Chicago likes to get down. Chicago likes to get funky!” The house did just that. There wasn’t a still body to be found. Energy flowed from the stage, beats filled the air, and happiness seemed infectious.
In the middle of their set, the gentlemen asked the crowd to draw in close for a group shot. One concertgoer, in a cast, hobbled over, triumphantly raising a crutch in the air. After over an hour on stage, Aer exited after performing “Spades, Clubs, & Diamonds,” but returned for an encore, closing out the night with “Ex” and their 2011 break-out “Feel I Bring.” Aer’s brand of alternative hip-hop combined with their stellar stage presence made for a fantastic show. You can catch all three bands on the The Word of Mouth Tour, throughout the U.S., up till the end of March.
(All photos by Sarah Hess: www.smhimagimg.com)
Sarah Hess
After attending The School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Sarah went on to study education at Dominican University, earning a degree in history. When not teaching, writing, or taking in a show, she is most likely to be found with a camera to her eye or hanging out in a darkroom.
You can follow Sarah Hess on twitter at @Sarahhasanh and view her music photography on her website: smhimaging.com.
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