On December 9, 2022, Andy Frasco & The U.N. returned to Chicago only a few months after performing at the First Annual Sacred Rose Fest 2022. Unfortunately, I was only able to attend Day 1 of the Sacred Rose Fest and missed their performance on Day 2. However, I was not going to make the same mistake twice and miss out on Andy Frasco & The U.N. in Chicago again.

Andy Frasco & The U.N. Wash, Rinse, Repeat. 2022 Tour

In July 2022, Andy Frasco & The U.N. announced the Fall 2022 Days Like These Tour. with support from special guest Little Stranger. The tour started on October 21st at Mohawk in Austin, TX and ends in Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville, TN on December 17. It is in support of Frasco’s eighth studio album, Wash, Rinse, Repeat., which was released on April 8, 2022 via Fun Machine Records.

The new album includes 12 songs that span Frasco’s experience as a musician — and a man. There’s the strummy ballad “Grow Old,” about finding love for more than a weekend and being ready for it when it shows up at your door; the tongue-in-cheek stomper “Dancin’ Around My Grave” (written with Charleston bands Susto and Doom Flamingo), which shows Frasco planning his own funeral if he were to die young — accompanied by a video depicting a Lakers-themed service (he’s a life-long fan); the rocking title track “Wash, Rinse, Repeat,” which also touches on the pandemic — and the joy we’ll all feel when the world is finally back; then there’s “Spill the Beans,” a Western-tinged track about being honest about your addictions. In all, the album exhibits Frasco’s emotional range and genre-morphing abilities.

Sold Out

With only a handful of stops left in the tour, Chicago was next up. It was Friday night and Chicago was ready to party at Thalia Hall, as the 1300 capacity venue was sold out. Actually, Frasco could be heard emphasizing through out the night, “Playing Thalia Hall, sold out!”

Opening Artist – Little Strange

The sold out crowd was warmed up by the funky hip hop duo, Little Strange. Best friends John Shields and Kevin Shields, performed an acoustic set. It was incredible to see their fan base up in front early, singing along to every song. Throughout their set, special guests jumped on stage with them. One example was during “When Ur Mad” when Andy Frasco’s drummer, Andee Avila and guitarist, Shawn Eckels helped out on vocals. As Shields called them, “Chicago Boys Choir, ladies and gentlemen.” Their most recent album, Trip Around Saturn was released November 5, 2021 via Ineffable Records.

The Show – Andy Frasco & The U.N.

Letzgoooo! “I’m your friend and your my friend so lets be friends until the end!” A perfect way to get the show poppin’ with “Friends (A Song About Friends)”. This really set the theme of the show as it was just a group of friends, band and audience, having a party.

Other highlights of the show include:

• New songs: including “Birthday Song” and “We Don’t Care” (not sure about this title)
• Covers: “Ramble On” (Led Zeppelin cover) sung by Shawn Eckels and “Break Stuff” Limp Bizkit cover with Little Strange
• Nashville’s Paul McDonald joining on stage for one of his songs
• Andy Frasco out in the audience for a little “Soul Train” and an “eighth grade fight circle” for a Jewish hora dancing.
• Close out the set with his 3 demands for his funeral.

Closed out the set with “Dancin’ Around My Grave” which had the audience clapping, singing and dancing, “Love what you do!! Celebrate what we had!”

The Encore started with “Dream”, followed by the whole gang out for a big party on stage as Little Stranger returned back on stage. They joined in on and “Oh, What a Life”. Continuing the high energy with Paul McDonald returning to stage and Floyd Kellogg singing the cover of Nivana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. The encore concluded with Andy Frasco giving a thank you to the audience and encouraging the audience to “go out there and live” then closing with their song “Keep On Keepin’ On”.

Conclusion

In the end, if you’re looking for good vibes, high energy, party of a concert, Andy Frasco is the perfect show for you. Don’t miss it. I’m already looking forward to the next time they return to Chicago.

Andy Frasco & The U.N. Link

To stay up to date on the latest news and to catch Andy Frasco & The U.N. on tour, check out: andyfrasco.com

Andy Frasco & The U.N. Setlist

Thalia Hall, Chicago, IL
December 9, 2022

Friends (A Song About Friends)
You’re the Kind of Crazy I Like
The Walk
Birthday Song
U Do U
Talk About It
Puff Break (Believe That)
Ramble On (Led Zeppelin cover)
What More
Paul McDonald guest tune
Love, Come Down
None of Those Things
Shakin Ain’t a Crime
Break Stuff (Limp Bizkit cover)
Better Day
Same in the End (Sublime cover)
Struggle
Dancin’ Around My Grave

Encore:
Dream
Oh, What a Life
Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana cover)
Keep On Keepin’ On

Photo Gallery – John Kosiewicz