Thirty Seconds to Mars in Chicago

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Thirty Seconds to Mars in Chicago

It’s Saturday, August 10th, and I’m currently stationed at Northerly Island, ready to cover the much-anticipated performances of AFI and Thirty Seconds to Mars in Chicago. The atmosphere is electric, with the sun casting a brilliant glow over the venue, highlighting the anticipation in the air. The birds are chirping in harmony with the buzz of excitement from the crowd, who are visibly eager for the evening to unfold. As the day transitions into night, the stage is set for an unforgettable experience.

AFI

As I navigate my way through the throng of concertgoers, weaving through the excited crowd, the energy is palpable. Chicagoans in their seats are already on their feet, whistling and chanting “AFI, AFI, AFI,” their voices merging into a chorus of anticipation. As I approach the stage, passing the vigilant photo pit security, I quickly set up my camera, ensuring everything is in place for the perfect shot. Just then, the drummer begins to walk onto the stage—a pivotal moment that never fails to captivate me. This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite parts of any show. It’s the instant when the collective sigh of relief and eager anticipation washes over the crowd, a shared realization that the wait is finally over.

AFI took the stage with commanding presence, opening their set with the electrifying single “Girl’s Not Grey.” As the first notes rang out, the Chicago crowd erupted, singing and dancing in unison, feeding off the immense energy radiating from the band. The atmosphere was electric, with every beat resonating through the crowd.

Following the Open

Following this powerful opener, AFI transitioned into “Love Like Winter,” a performance marked by frontman Davey Havok’s dynamic stage presence. Havok captivated the audience as he leaped between the three-stage stands, delivering the song from multiple angles and bringing the performance to life with his energy. His movements added a dynamic edge to the photos I captured, infusing each shot with the vibrancy and intensity of the live performance. The combination of AFI’s powerful music and Havok’s animated performance created a memorable and visually striking experience for the Chicago audience.

As their set drew to a close, AFI delivered a powerful performance of one of my favorites, “Miss Murder,” leaving a lasting impression before 30 Seconds to Mars took the stage. The crowd captivated from start to finish, remained fully engaged throughout the hour-long performance, clearly enamored by the band’s iconic presence and the sheer intensity they brought to the stage on this beautiful Saturday evening. AFI didn’t just give Chicago a remarkable show; they delivered a performance that will be remembered as legendary. Their energy was matched by an equally enthusiastic Chicago crowd, whose passion and support elevated the entire experience. The synergy between the band and the audience created a moment of pure rock spectacle, one that resonated deeply with everyone in attendance.

Thirty Seconds to Mars

As the seconds ticked away—100, 99, 98, 97—the anticipation in the air was palpable. A countdown echoed over the Chicago crowd, heightening the excitement as everyone braced for Jared Leto’s entrance. The atmosphere buzzed with energy; cheers, whistles, and chants of “30 Seconds to Mars” filled the venue as the audience joined in, counting down in unison with the broadcast. Finally, the moment arrived. As the countdown hit 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2… Jared Leto emerged from the swirling stage smoke, instantly commanding attention as he launched into their hit single, “Up in the Air.” Draped in a flowing cape and wearing sunglasses, Leto moved across the stage with effortless grace, his performance electric and captivating. His dynamic presence and energetic vocals resonated through the venue, as he connected deeply with the Chicago crowd, setting the tone for an unforgettable night.

As 30 Seconds to Mars continued their electrifying set, the energy in the venue only intensified with each song. Performing powerful singles like “Kings and Queens” and “Walk on Water,” the band had the crowd fully engaged. As the final notes of “Walk on Water” echoed through the arena, the audience erupted into a roar of applause and cheers.

In a moment that took the excitement to another level, Jared Leto stepped to the front of the stage and, with a mischievous grin, called out to the crowd, “Are there any crazies out there that want to come on stage and dance with me?” The crowd erupted into a frenzy, eager for a chance to join their idol on stage. Leto began scanning the audience, singling out fans with a playful yet commanding presence. “Hey, you with the crazy red hair, come up here!” he called out, pointing into the sea of fans. “And you, wearing my shirt, get up here too!”

A group of ecstatic Chicagoans soon found themselves on stage, beaming with excitement and ready to share the spotlight. As the opening chords of “Rescue Me” began, Leto led the charge, performing with his signature energy while the fans danced beside him, caught up in the surreal experience. It was a moment of pure connection between the band and their audience, making for an unforgettable live performance. As the hour-long set drew to a close, 30 Seconds delivered a powerful encore, performing three additional songs to end the night on a high note in Chicago. The band kicked off the encore with “Stuck,” setting the tone for what was to come. Jared Leto then launched into my personal favorite, “The Kill.” As soon as the iconic opening chords began, the entire crowd joined in, their voices merging into one as they sang:

Come, break me down Bury me, bury me I am finished with you Look in my eyes You're killing me, killing me All I wanted was you...

The energy in the room was electric, with the chorus reverberating through the venue, creating a moment of pure connection between the band and the audience. As the final song of the evening approached, Jared paused to address the crowd once more. “I want a couple more crazies to head to the stage,” he called out, inviting fans to join him in closing out the night with a bang. The band then launched into “Closer to the Edge,” with Leto and the lucky fans sharing the stage, bringing the night to an unforgettable close.

This was, without a doubt, the most interactive show I’ve covered this year. The energy, the crowd, and the band’s performance all came together to create an experience that was nothing short of extraordinary. I’m incredibly grateful to have witnessed such an amazing performance by Thirty Seconds to Mars in Chicago. I’ll request another press pass to cover Jared and the boys again—what a brilliant night.

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