By: Jenafur Schlangen
September 7, 2025
Chicago, Illinois
Stepping into the Salt Shed that night felt like I was walking into something special from the start, the weather couldn’t have cooperated more, warm in that perfect post‑summer way with a breeze that carried enough chill so it wasn’t overwhelming but warm enough that you wanted to stay out all night. It was my first time seeing Beach Bunny live and right away I was struck by how natural Lili Trifilio’s voice is in person, clear and full of presence, and how the stage setup at the Salt Shed outdoors gave their songs space to breathe, which felt crucial for a band whose music ping‑pongs between tender introspection and high‑energy hooks. The full moon overhead was this unexpected bonus, casting a glow that made the scene feel cinematic, like the music and the night were conspiring together.
The setlist was generous, pulling in favorites from different parts of their catalog while leaning into newer songs too, giving folks a little something old, something fresh. Moments like “Cloud 9” and “Prom Queen” hit with the kind of crowd sing‑along energy you hope for, and their newer material felt confident, like they know who they are and where they’re headed. The transitions between songs flowed, the band seemed loose but tight in the way that matters, able to slow things down and build back up without losing momentum. As someone experiencing them for the first time I appreciated being able to hear deeper cuts and the hits alike, so you got to see different facets of their sound rather than just the radio‑popular stuff.
The crowd, the vibe, the venue itself all played a part. The Salt Shed outdoors (the Fairgrounds area) has this cool blend of industrial edge and openness that makes it feel both intimate and big at once, and in that weather the outdoor elements only added to the show instead of working against it. People around me were singing along, dancing, laughing at little moments in between songs, there was warmth in more ways than one. Even though shows outdoors carry risks (bugs, sound bleed, temperature swings) none of that really mattered because the production held up, the sound was solid, and the ambiance (moon, lights, crowd energy) elevated what could have been just another set to something memorable.
Lastly, it should be noted that Beach Bunny’s newest album, Year of the Optimist is out now!
Beach Bunny OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Salt Shed OFFICIAL WEBSITE
