Joe Keery’s musical project, Djo, delivered an electrifying and profoundly personal performance at Lollapalooza Chicago, transforming his Friday evening set into a vibrant love letter to the city. The actor and musician, widely recognized for his role in “Stranger Things” and the viral sensation “End of Beginning,” was met with an immense outpouring of local adoration as his band captivated thousands at Grant Park, marking a significant moment in the Music Festival.
Bathed in an evocative golden light, the hour-long set unfolded as a tender homage, resonating with jangle-pop sensibilities and an undeniable atmosphere of good vibes. This highly anticipated Live Concert showcased Djo’s unique sound, a blend of retro charm and contemporary indie-pop, cementing their connection with the Chicago audience from the opening notes.
From the moment Keery stepped onto the T-Mobile stage, clutching a Gibson hollow-body guitar, the energy was palpable. Leading Djo into tracks like 2022’s upbeat “Glow,” a tune reminiscent of early ’80s Devo, he immediately engaged the swelling crowd. The dramatic reveal of a giant silver balloon shaped like the iconic “Cloud Gate” further amplified the intimate connection between Joe Keery and the city he clearly cherishes.
Keery’s dynamic stage presence evolved throughout the evening. Initially matching the stage’s light show in a green button-down, he later shed it for a form-fitting white tank top, shaking his signature mop of hair and eliciting a steady stream of enthusiastic screams from fans. This uninhibited performance style underscored the raw, authentic emotion woven into Djo’s Chicago Music experience.
The set included a diverse range of Djo’s material, demonstrating their versatility. For “Charlie’s Garden,” the band transitioned to a more baroque-pop, Beatles-leaning sound, enhanced by a classic Ludwig drumset and a pre-recorded message from Keery’s “Stranger Things” co-star, Charlie Heaton. The Chicago-native trumpeter and producer extraordinaire Nico Segal made a memorable live appearance, delivering a masterful, “Penny Lane”-inspired solo that further delighted the crowd.
As Keery strummed a starburst Gibson acoustic, a sea of camera phones illuminated the hazy skyline, and fans eagerly climbed onto shoulders for a better view. Thousands joined their voices with Keery’s, collectively belting out the poignant lyrics, “And when I’m back in Chicago I feel it, another version of me, I was in it,” creating a powerful, unifying moment as golden hour descended upon the park.
The culmination of the Live Concert was the tender “Back On You,” where Djo was joined by the actual Uniting Voices Chicago, formerly the Chicago Children’s Choir. Led by choir director Josephine Lee, the young members sang angelically, “Come back home, buddy, I remember who you are, who you are,” providing a moving and heartfelt conclusion to what was undeniably a triumphant homecoming and a “love letter” truly delivered.
