Live Review: Joyce Manor at The Salt Shed

Joyce Manor at The Salt Shed in Chicago March 28, photo by Zeltzin Vazquez

Ahead of Joyce Manor’s Chicago date of their I Used To Go To This Bar tour the band had postponed two shows in a row, in Toronto and Detroit. Singer Barry Johnson took to Instagram to report to fans that he had a torn vocal chord. Johnson ended the post by saying “I have felt like I’m living in a stress dream letting the other bands and all our fans down the last two nights. I love you guys and hope to be singing by the Chicago show.”

Fans waited for news and as the morning turned to the afternoon. It wasn’t certain whether the show would go on. Until, Joyce Manor posted another instagram update with the text “SEE YOU TONIGHT CHICAGO” accompanied by a somewhat uncomfortable looking dog. The gig was to commence in Chicago at The Salt Shed.

The last time I saw Joyce Manor was actually at this very venue supporting the Gaslight Anthem. I need to tell you that I was only at that show to see Joyce Manor and I still have never seen The Gaslight Anthem. To see Joyce Manor return to the Salt Shed as a headliner is a testament to the band’s growth. The Salt Shed is a big room to fill on the merits of one record. Luckily Joyce Manor has a clutch of classics that they are towing around on this full US run with support from Militarie Gun, Teen Mortgage, and Combat.

Joyce Manor’s set started with track one from the new record, I Know Where Mark Chen Lives. The crowd came in right on cue with the lyrics “When you can’t afford anything anymore / Tell me how me, how are you gonna swim to shore?” Joyce Manor is a sing along band after all, of course the fans would know the new songs. Throughout the night Barry would point to the
crowd singing the words to those in the front and they were pointing right back.

Joyce Manor at The Salt Shed in Chicago March 28 photograph by Zeltzin Vazquez

Any uneasiness about Johnson risking his voice was relieved as the band continued to churn through their brief but potent songs. There was a great mix of favorites from outside the new album, pulling from Cody, 40oz to Fresno, and of course their bonafide classic Never Hungover Again.

Everyone has their own favorites across Joyce Manor catalog. Pockets of the audience would pop off like wack-a-mole during deeper cuts like Schley, NBTSA, and Big Lie. Joyce Manor rewards the cult-like dedication to the back catalog with House Warning Party in the main set and Five Beer Plan in the encore. Even as the Torrence band scales new heights they still show
reverence for the songs that captured our attention in the first place.

While the new songs and deep cuts can get a rise out of the crowd, nothing hits quite like, well, the hits. Constant Headache probably gives the feeling your dad gets when he hears Pour Some Sugar on Me. The crowd doesn’t need any rousing and the opening chords are enough of an introduction. Judging by the response, anyone in this room could recite the words in their sleep.

If he wanted to, Johnson could take a break, rest his voice, put the mic in the crowd, and take it easy. Instead, Johnson takes the mic and sings like any other night. With a new lease on his voice Johnson showed up strong. The “stress dream” of the last few days concluded with a crowd of adoring fans screaming their hearts out. Johnson can wake up proud of that one.