Sub-Radio at Bottom Lounge in Chicago 2025 Front Row Music News

23 Feb, 2025 John Kosiewicz Concert Reviews, Indie, Latest, Pop, Rock

Sunrise City Tour – East Coast

On Sunday night, February 23, 2025, The Bottom Lounge in Chicago became a vibrant sea of color and energy as Sub-Radio brought their “Sunrise City Tour – East Coast” to a triumphant close. With support from Doublecamp, the night was a celebration of music, movement, and unexpected gifts—including a bag full of mini plastic ducks from one fan. Fans arrived in dazzling fashion, with colored hair, gold and silver pants, lighted hats, and plenty of glitter. From the first note to the last, the crowd sang, danced, and turned the venue into a joyous, shimmering spectacle.

The Show

Doublecamp

The duo of Joe Neary and Jordan Burmeister, Doublecamp, set the mood with their infectious energy and genre-blending sound. Their setlist featured fan favorites, a new song called “Stay Dry,” and a surprising cover of Chappell Roan’s “HOT TO GO!”—made even better with a guest appearance by Sub-Radio’s lead singer, Adam Bradley. My personal favorite was the song “Bill Murray”. Before the song, Neary instructed the audience on how to sing along with “2 Bills and a Murray, 3 Bills and a Murray,” which sounds like “Bill Bill Murray, Bill Bill Bill MURRAY”. The duo’s effortless connection with the crowd turned the performance into a communal experience. By the time they wrapped up, the room was more than warmed up—it was on fire with anticipation.

Sub-Radio

Then came Sub-Radio, delivering an electrifying set packed with irresistible hooks and non-stop energy. I first caught a glimpse of them at Summerfest in 2021—just the tail end of their last song—but it was enough to leave an impression. Ever since, I’ve been waiting for the chance to see them again.

Their set featured a mix of fan favorites and fresh tracks, including “Onto Me.” In addition, lead singer Adam Bradley revealed “heavenheavenheaven” as his personal favorite. Bradley commanded the stage with dynamic vocals and boundless charisma, driving the crowd into a frenzy. High-energy anthems like “Pink Lemonade” and “Dimension” had the room pulsing, while “Caroline” and “Nothing’s Broken” turned into full-on singalongs. The band fed off the audience’s enthusiasm, and Chicago clearly returned the love. Several times, Bradley shouted out the city, declaring, “We always love coming to Chicago. This is our best city. We had to close this tour out here. We couldn’t do it anywhere else.”

Before launching into their final songs, Sub-Radio took a playful jab at the “planned encore” tradition, questioning why bands bother leaving the stage when everyone knows they’re coming back. Instead, they powered straight into “Flashback” and “1990Something,” closing the night with an eruption of sound and celebration.

Conclusion

As the last note rang out, fans lingered, reluctant to let the magic end. The Bottom Lounge had hosted more than just a concert—it was an immersive, glitter-filled experience where music, friendship, and spontaneity ruled the night. If this was the final stop on “Sunrise City Tour Part 2,” Sub-Radio made sure it ended on a high note.