In Review: Vacations & Last Dinosaurs at House of Blues
Photos by Linnea Cheng
Australian co-headlining bands Last Dinosaurs and Vacations put on an energetically feel-good show this past Saturday, October 7th at House of Blues.
If you’ve ever been to a packed House of Blues show in Chicago, you know that you either have to fight your way to the front or resign to seeing the backs of peoples’ heads. Such was the case when I attended Last Dinosaurs and Vacations’ co-headlining show this past Saturday, October 7th. I knew it was going to be a full house when I saw the general admission line wrap around the block, spanning the Dearborn bridge across the Chicago River.
Upon entry, concertgoers had already packed themselves into the pit as well as along the raised adjacent platforms by the bars. Needless to say, there was no getting through the crowd without having to elbow some people along the way.
Vacations’ set spanned their discography with songs from their 2016 EP “Vibes” and their 2018 album “Changes” as well as an unreleased single that is in the works. The band also announced that their new album is complete and is slated for release in January 2024. Campbell Burns, the lead singer of Vacations, thanked their fans for their patience in anticipation of the new album’s release.
Vacations’ newer music, including their latest singles “Next Exit” and “Midwest,” distinctly picked up the pace in their setlist. “Midwest” was a nice break from the rest of their discography with a melancholic melody and a road-trip-worthy spaciness akin to Phoenix.
Burns mentioned that Vacations performed at Subterranean the last time they were in Chicago a year and a half ago, a venue almost a third the size of House of Blues. It’s clear that their following has only multiplied.
Just before 10 PM, Last Dinosaurs made their way onto stage. The band, all dressed in suits, brought their relaxed and cheery personalities to the crowd.
Last Dinosaurs’ main lineup consists of brothers Sean (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Lachlan Caskey (lead guitar, vocals) and bassist Michael Sloane.
While Last Dinosaurs performed music spanning their 10+ year career, a standout moment of the show was their medley of cover songs. It was an engaging change from the rest of their music and allowed the band to show how they can make a song their own. Each cover seeped into the next, blending genres, tempos, and vibes seamlessly. Complete with a rendition of a Prodigy song and Junior Senior’s “Move Your Feet,” Last Dinosaurs pumped the House of Blues with a much-needed boost of energy as the show entered its third hour.
Following the covers, the Aussie band appeased long-time fans with their 2015 song “Apollo.” The crowd bounced and sang to the deceptively upbeat song as Sean belted “I’m ready to be somebody else / I’ll forget how to feel the things I’ve felt.”
Both Vacations and Last Dinosaurs’ performances dealt with a middle-of-the-set drag. Since the bands co-headlined, both their sets were full-length. Great for lovers of indie rock, casual fans may have found it a bit long. Despite the lengthy run-time, both bands kept their energy and sunny dispositions at a high level the entire night.
Photos by Linnea Cheng