Talk about a night! The Beaches absolutely owned the stage in Chicago for Rolling Stone’s Gather No Moss tour, turning up the volume with their signature pop-rock anthems. With Hello Mary’s gritty alt-rock and Brennan Wedl’s indie charm, it was a truly unforgettable party. Who else wishes they were there for that epic countdown?
The Rolling Stone Presents: Gather No Moss tour recently transformed Chicago’s Salt Shed into an electrifying hub of pop-rock energy, headlined by the Canadian sensation, The Beaches. This highly anticipated stop on August 29, 2025, showcased a vibrant blend of musical talent, with dynamic performances from openers Hello Mary and Brennan Wedl, setting a high bar for the evening’s festivities in the bustling Chicago music scene.
The Beaches, composed of Kylie Miller, Eliza Enman-McDaniel, Jordan Miller, and Leandra Earl, made a memorable entrance, embodying the spirit of an adult slumber party with their distinctive lingerie and camisole attire. Their dramatic countdown from ten to one, akin to a New Year’s Eve celebration, signaled a transition into an exclusive afterparty vibe, launching directly into an explosive rendition of “Last Girls at the Party” and immediately captivating the audience with their infectious pop-rock concert energy.
Lead singer Kylie Miller expertly engaged the fervent crowd, inviting them into her personal narratives with a flirtatious grin. She candidly recounted past heartbreaks, asking, “Anybody been through a breakup before?” and met with roaring affirmation. Her storytelling transformed the venue into a shared space for catharsis, as she humorously recounted coping mechanisms and subtly positioned the band as guides through “relationship burnouts,” fostering a deep connection with her fans.
The evening’s diverse soundscape began with Brennan Wedl, who offered a refreshing contrast with her unique “Nashville wench rock” style. Described as a stand-in for the bashful yet articulate wallflowers, Wedl brought a looser form of indie rock blended with country sensibilities. Her performance, featuring recent singles “Scorpio” and “Kudzu,” hinted at a promising future with sunny hooks and nostalgic country-pop chords, showcasing a powerful voice that effortlessly filled the expansive warehouse.
Adding an edgy, artistic dimension to the Gather No Moss tour stop was Hello Mary, the Brooklyn-based trio formed in 2018. Comprising Helena Straight, Mikaela Oppenheimer, and Stella Wave, their performance delved into gritty alt-rock, shoegaze, and brooding college rock, reminiscent of early Radiohead mixed with PJ Harvey. Their set, primarily drawing from their sophomore album, bridged intricate noise rock with an enticing gothic mood, displaying a self-assured intensity that made it impossible to look away, especially during the monstrous “0%” and Wave’s raw scream.
Once The Beaches reclaimed the stage, they reaffirmed their status as the charismatic life of the party, fearlessly embracing dares and igniting the crowd anew. Kylie Miller’s pre-song banter for “Shower Beer”—dedicated to “anyone who got a little too drunk or anyone’s gonna text their ex after their show”—highlighted their relatable appeal and further intensified the festive atmosphere that defined the pop-rock concert experience.
The evolution of The Beaches’ sound was particularly evident in their newer material, which showcased a bolder, more brash pop aesthetic. These tracks, while undoubtedly catchy and perfect for celebratory antics like jumping on a hotel bed, also stemmed from a deeper place of clarity and artistic growth. This maturation allowed their rowdy, party-driven sound to resonate with a refined authenticity, underscoring their journey as artists.
The Chicago music scene stop effectively set the stage for the continuing “Rolling Stone Presents: Gather No Moss” tour, which is proudly sponsored by ~Pourri and iHeartRadio. With upcoming dates featuring acts like Wet Leg in Nashville and MJ Lenderman in Brooklyn, The Beaches’ electrifying performance in Chicago served as a powerful testament to the tour’s mission: delivering evenings of high-energy party pop fueled by an unshakeable rock spirit, leaving audiences eager for the next installment.
