Parting is such sweet sorrow, but when this concept was applied to Tennis’ Farewell Tour stop at The Salt Shed in Chicago on May 23, the emphasis was on the sweet.
“It’s bittersweet, but I plan on having fun tonight,” said Alaina Moore early in the set.
“It’s been really, really fucking special. We’re so grateful. I know we’re not supposed to play favorites, but we really, really love Chicago.”
Classic tunes by the husband-wife duo, comprised of Moore and Patrick Riley, like “Ladies Don’t Play Guitar,” “No Exit,” and “Matrimony” appeared throughout the night and time was also spent sharing material from Tennis’ seventh and final album, Face Down in the Garden.
“Patrick and I had a feeling in the last year that it was time to move on from the band and do other things, but we wanted to leave it with a really intentional goodbye and finish on our own terms. So, we’re really excited to play some of these songs for you this evening,” said Moore before diving into the dreamy “Weight of Desire.”
“12 Blown Tires” and “I Can Only Describe You” were other new highlights on the evening’s setlist.
Earlier in the show, British singer-songwriter Billie Marten delighted fans who arrived early with performances of songs like “Crown” and “Cartoon People.” Marten also encouraged fans to find their own interpretation of the Feeding Seahorses by Hand stand-out, “Mice.”
“I’ve played it so many times I actually don’t know what it is about at all – so you tell me,” Marten said
Of course there is a certain sadness in saying farewell to a favorite band, but there are also reasons to be hopeful. This may be the end of Tennis, but the future is wide open for Moore and Riley.
Check out photos from Tennis’ Friday night performance, featuring Billie Marten, at The Salt Shed below and click here to pick-up tickets to see them on future tour dates. More information can be found at Tennis-music.com.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
