The Aces – Cristal Ramirez (lead vocals, guitar), Alisa Ramirez (drums), McKenna Petty (bass), and Katie Henderson (lead guitar, vocals) – brought THE PARTY to Thalia Hall in Chicago on Nov. 5 with a performance that inspired singing, dancing, and connection throughout the venue. The pop band was ready for an epic night of fun as they recently released their latest album Gold Star Baby which serves as a sonic celebration of queerness and good times.
“Chicago, how we feeling? Welcome to Gold Star Baby. We are The Aces, and your only job tonight is to, if you are of age, get fucked up. If you are not, just have a good time. You just dance. We’re gonna have a good time tonight,” said Cristal Ramirez near the top of the show. “It’s Gold Star Baby. You look beautiful. I can see you! Where are my lesbians in the crowd?”
Massive cheers followed as the audience – many donning their sparkly finest – soon sang along with the new album’s title track. “Jealous,” “New Emotion,” and “Twin Flame” – which found the couples in the crowd dancing cheek-to-cheek – also appeared early in the setlist.
The music of The Aces lives in the glorious intersection of rock and pop where polished guitar sounds and anchoring rhythms meet the most infectious melodies you could ever hope to hear. “I’m Sweet (I’m Mean)” – with its Rilo Kiley-esque storytelling and Nile Rodgers’ riffs – “The Magic” and “Spending the Night” were also among the Gold Star Baby standouts that delighted fans throughout the show.
Earlier in the evening, Lydia Night – of the Regrettes fame – opened-up with music from her own new album, her solo debut, Parody of Pleasure. With a drummer supporting the performance, Night shared pop-infused tracks like “Little Doe,” “The Hearse” and “The Bomb.”
Night explained that, while she was the one performing on stage, participation from the crowd is encouraged and will be ranked against future cities in terms of enthusiasm.
“This is our second show of tour. So, you don’t have that much to compete with in terms of how good of a crowd you are. But, like, I’m still judging, you know. Like you’re judging us. I’m judging you,” Night said with a smile. “That’s how it goes. So I want to see movement… I just think you can dance if you want. If you feel like it, but no pressure. But pressure.”
Fans rose to the occasion and Thalia Hall was full of movement as Lydia Night and The Aces each shared fun-filled performances. Check out photos of The Aces and Lydia Night playing Thalia Hall below and click here to pick-up tickets to future tour dates.
More information can be found at Theacesofficial.com.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
