I found myself at the House of Vans in Chicago for the first time on Saturday night for their Vans House Party event curated by Long Island, New York-based recording artists, Taking Back Sunday, with openers Rozwell Kid and Pronoun, featuring an art installation by Brian Ewing.
The venue is in the middle of its ninth season of the Vans House Parties series and this place has been a bucket list location for me that I’ve always wanted to visit. The timing was right and I was so eager to finally experience this with an invite to experience the night.
Per their website, the House of Vans is where “off the wall” lives.” It’s a place where imagination lets loose over concrete bowls, art installations, workshops and concert stages, inspiring every person who runs, rolls, or stomps through its door. The House of Vans is home to the creativity that moves us.
I was moved. I was inspired. I was happy.
The environment when you walk in is like no other. A large room filled with wonderfully nice people. No rudeness here. Everyone seemed to have respect for their peers and they were there to seriously enjoy a night of camaraderie, cool tunes and captivating artwork.
The artwork displayed by Brian Ewing was completely breathtaking, gorgeous, colorful and my cup of tea. He had large scale artwork and small superior pieces. The music was engaging, the crowd rocked on and the exhilaration in my core was crazy.
Another surprise, the drinks were complimentary and themed to the headlining band. Their cocktail “You’re So Last Summer” is a song title from Taking Back Sunday that featured Deep Eddy Cranberry Vodka, Deep Eddy Peach Vodka, lime and cranberry juice. Their beer option was the Goose Island Natural Villain Lager. Both drinks were so scrumptious.
Rozwell Kid and Pronoun were both great, but I was so pumped to see Taking Back Sunday for the first time and they performed enthusiastically to the packed house with excited fans who were bodysurfing to the front of the stage.
Taking Back Sunday took some time out from playing to talk about their adoration towards Chicago and their appreciation towards Windy City-based Victory Records, their former record label, saying they owe a lot to Chicago and its music-loving people.
Taking Back Sunday Set List
- What’s It Feel Like to Be a Ghost?
- A Decade Under the Influence
- Error: Operator
- Tidal Wave
- Liar (It Takes One to Know One)
- Set Phasers to Stun
- Timberwolves at New Jersey
- My Blue Heaven
- You’re So Last Summer
- Cute Without the ‘E’ (Cut from the Team)
- MakeDamnSure
These Vans House Parties are free, but you have to RSVP online and show up early the day of because admission is not guaranteed as it’s first come, first served, until they reach capacity.
Upcoming Vans House Parties include:
- July 25 – Anderson.Paak (RSVP Sold Out)
- July 27 – The Rapture (RSVP Open Now)
- August 15 – Surprise Special Guest (RSVP TBD)
- August 24 – Converge (RSVP Opens 8/17)
For full details on shows, visit HouseofVans.com.
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