This article was written by Wendy Davis.
Bermuda Search Party made their anticipated return to the Windy City in June, supporting their friends Cat Empire on their current tour run. If there’s a simple way to describe the kind of show that Bermuda Search Party puts on, it’s good vibes, high energy, and interactive fun, all intermixed. It’s impossible to not have a good time while watching them—these guys really make it feel like the audience is one with the party they’re having onstage. Although they were opening, you would never guess it with the way these guys had the whole room at Chicago’s Thalia Hall vibing and getting the atmosphere just right for the rest of the night!
Bermuda Search Party is a small, but mighty, group originally from Boston. They just wrapped up their headlining tour for their recent sophomore album release, Fools On Parade, and are now enjoying some extra time back on the road. Their sound consists of a balanced blend of indie funk, pop, and rock all in one. Though they are a standard-sized five -person band, with Leo Son on lead vocals/guitar, they made sure to give each person their spotlight moments on stage, so everybody got to be part of the fun without being overlooked.
For a few songs, Claire Davis (vocals/bass) took over for lead vocals and chatted with the crowd. Maclin Tucker (trumpet/keys) and Hoyt Parquet (trombone) were constantly an amusing duo to watch off to the side as they danced together with their instruments. There was even a moment about halfway through the set where the whole band huddled around drummer Stephen Sifflard, while he stood up and encouraged the crowd to clap along with them. With the added hip bumps, dance offs, and countless laughs during their performance, this band’s love for each other is loud and clear, making the entire set feel like just another fun hang out.
Bermuda Search Party's set consisted of a fair mixture of older songs, with a good amount from their latest album, including “Olivia”, the infectiously joyful opening track to the record. Despite their bubbly sound, some songs on the setlist like “Asking 4 A Friend” actually have a sorrowful, more melancholic storyline. Even then, unique instrumental touches like Tucker’s trumpet and a soothing baseline kept the audience high in spirits. Overall, Bermuda Search Party’s constantly upbeat sound combined with colorful production design and playful crowd interactions made this performance feel like the perfect party to kickstart summer in Chicago!
All photos by Wendy Davis.
