Josie Dunne - Photo credit: John Kosiewicz

On Thursday, September 26, 2019, singer-songwriter, Josie Dunne returned home with a headlining performance at Bottom Lounge in Chicago. Although she currently lives in Nashville, Josie’s roots are from Chicago’s suburb of La Grange.

Less than two months earlier, Dunne had a late-night performance opening up for the sold-out House of Blues in Chicago for the AJR Lollapalooza After Show (check out Josie Dunne gallery).  It was followed up by an unforgettable appearance on stage with Matoma rocking out with her hometown crowd of 30,000 people Lollapalooza! However, for Dunne, tonight was her biggest headlining show yet. The all-ages show was filled with family, friends, old fans and new fans. 

After the opening performance by fellow Nashville resident, Chaz Cardigan, the stage was set for Dunne with a Nord Electro 3 keyboard, sapphire-toned electric guitar, ukulele, tambourine, trumpet and a Fisher Price Xylophone. Fans knew it was time for the show to begin and for a Josie Dunne show, that was going to be a dance party. The lights lowered down and Will Honaker got the beats going for “Good Boys.” The audience erupted as Josie Dunne popped on stage in her custom look overalls and sneakers and a smile from ear to ear. Her energetic stage presence and infectious smile had everyone dancing and singing all night long.  It’s nearly impossible to not have a fun time at her show. The night’s set list included all of her songs off the first EP, To Be The Little Fish. along with some other surprises mixed in throughout the night.  One surprise, it seemed even for Dunne, was the impromptu singing of her high school’s (LTHS) fight song. Everyone got their workout in for the day during “Sunday Morning.”  She slowed things down just a little when she mentioned a new song called. “Stay the Way I Left You” which is coming out in a few weeks and played it with the audience.

After chanting “Josie! Josie! Josie!,” Dunne was back on stage for the encore for a solo performance of Saying Goodbye.  She shared the story of how the song was written and who it was written about.  There was a pause as there was a possibility that her 16-year-old boyfriend was there. He was not. For the last song, Dunne brought back on-stage Chaz Cardigan, along with five of her friends, two of which were celebrating their 23^rd birthday: Will, along with her cousin Compton. After singing “Happy Birthday,” the party closed out, “Make You Mine.”  After the show, Dunne took the time to do a meet-and-greet with everyon.

We look forward to the release of her second EP coming soon. Be sure to keep up with Josie Dunne’s latest information and tour dates at JosieDunne.com