Suspense built as a large sheet silhouetted the band members during the first song, ‘Touch.’ The second it dropped, the crowd roared with excitement! In those first moments, Ross wasted no time running into the crowd, taking in the sea of fans and fulfilling every barricade-dwelling fan’s dream by getting up close and personal. You’d think that interacting with fans in a larger venue like this would be difficult, but the brothers broke down that barrier between the stage and crowd flawlessly. Not only did they take time to talk with the fans and thank them for their attendance, but they went a step further by acknowledging the fans who had been there since the very beginning. My personal favorite moment was when Ross wore a cowboy hat gifted by one of the fans, completing that iconic Ross Lynch look. 

The stage setup gave a nostalgic vibe with a park bench, light pole, and pay phone, setting a late-night atmosphere I personally enjoyed. From the start, the energy was electric. Not only did the brothers bring high-energy moments, like when Rocky had a solo during “Nothing Left to Lose” and Ross crushed it on keys to close out the song, but they also knew how to connect with the audience. During “Natural,” they shredded their guitars, sending the crowd into a frenzy, yet they followed it up with a quieter, more personal moment in “Afterglow,” sitting together on the bench and even changing the lyrics from “down in Mexico” to “down in Chicago”. The contrast between explosive moments and those calmer, more personal connections created a show that felt both exciting and grounded.

Rocky and Ross’ vocals were pure ear candy throughout the entire evening. As an avid Driver Era listener, it was incredible to finally put the voices to the faces and experience the songs come to life. I particularly enjoyed “Low,” which highlighted Rocky’s vocals, and “Get Off My Phone,” showcasing Ross’. What made the performance even more special was witnessing how much fun the brothers had with each other on stage. Their chemistry made it feel like a family gathering, and you could see every fan’s heart melting with each playful moment. 

The entire show had me captivated from start to finish. It was the kind of performance full of surprises, with no song feeling quite the same as the last. It was clear that the fans, myself included, couldn’t get enough. Each performance already feels unique with the band switching up the setlist, but I’m sure I’m not the only one who felt that Chicago’s show stood out, especially with beloved fan favorite songs played, like “Preacher Man,” “Fantasy,” “’Natural,” and “Low.”  In true fangirl fashion, bras were thrown on stage, screams echoed throughout the venue, and hearts raced as Ross’s shirt came off during “Afterglow,” adding to that classic Driver Era show experience. 

By the time the night came to an end, none of us were ready for it. However, I left feeling completely fulfilled by my first Driver Era show, and it definitely won’t be my last. Every expectation, and then some, was exceeded. The Driver Era has a long tour ahead of them, so it’s almost impossible to miss them! Be sure to catch them on the road and check out their tour dates here!