Show Experience: Neon Trees and Nico Vega

I'm starting to get to know my way around Chicago venues. First it was the Beat Kitchen, then the Aragon Ballroom, and my most recent concert on Tuesday the 15th took me to Schuba's for Neon Trees and Nico Vega. I only just got into Nico Vega a few weeks ago, but I will still excited to see this band. Their press release said their shows are 'quite possibly the most explosive live show you will ever see,' and of course, I had to see if they would live up to that kind of reputation.

Pictures are taken by me....as you can tell, I'm not a photographer.



The first band was a four-piece from Utah, Neon Trees. The bar was not yet crowded for this band, and I had only listened to a few songs of theirs when I saw they were on the bill with Nico Vega. They put an a great set. The drums and bass were heavy, which made their songs easy to move to, and the electronics provided by the lead vocalist gave their sometimes melancholy lyrics a dancey quality. Not going to lie, I also couldn't help but notice how the lead singer continued to become unbuttoned. After starting out with a tight suit coat, vest, button up shirt, and tie, he ended up with the coat gone, the tie off, the vest unbuttoned, and some chest was definitely revealed. I actually felt a little bad that the crowd was not that big, because they are definitely ones to look out for in the world of rock music.





Once Neon Trees was done tearing down their equipment, the crowd tripled in size and we waited in anticipation for Nico Vega. The guitarist and drummer got everything on stage set up, and then left us to wait for a full half an hour. Once they took the stage though, it was easy to see that we were in for a show. The guitarist, who set up the stage in a black pea coat and pants, had changed into a fur vest and glittery jeans. The lead singer, Aja, was clothed in a floor length black vintage gown with gold and silver shiny stripes on it. She was also wearing a big, black cape. A fucking cape.

This band is practically un-human. After their first song, Aja looked out at the crowd and posed the question: "what did we do to deserve all of you?" They answered the question for us. With only a two people in the band providing music, they had a full bodied rock-n-roll sound. And with a vocalist like Aja, they definitely have to work. One of the most powerful voices I have ever heard live, and the woman is all over the place. On the floor, against the guitarist, on top of the drums, from one side of the stage to the next, and then to the center where she practically leers over the audience as she howls out the lyrics. If one was standing still for some reason, they would've been able to feel the distressed wooden floors of Schuba's shaking under their feet the entire time from everyone jumping and dancing and singing along. Aja owns the stage with her interpretive dance moves and gestures. The guitarist and drummer back her up perfectly with a hard rock sound. They lived up to their press release and so much more. Definitely one of the best bands I have ever seen live.

Nico Vega is still on tour with Neon Trees, so be sure to check their myspace and see if they are coming to a venue near you. You won't want to miss it.