Honey Revenge returned to Chicago last night for a special celebration at The Vic Theatre — marking a huge milestone on their biggest headlining tour to date. The venue was absolutely buzzing, and when the lights dimmed and glow bars lit the stage in dreamy pinks, purples, and blues, it felt less like a concert and more like a reunion.

Even before the first song hit, chants of “Donny! Donny! Donny!” were already shaking the room — and Donny was already on stage, soaking it all in with a grin. That kind of welcome? Chicago came ready. Devin Papadol and Donny Lloyd, known for their always-coordinated (and always spot-on) stage outfits, were met with a wave of love before even playing a note. The set opened with a pre-recorded intro from Devin that rolled right into the opening number — a new track that immediately set the tone for the night.

The crowd had already been treated to three opening acts — Nightlife, VANA, and Daisy Grenade — but the second Honey Revenge kicked into gear, the room somehow found another level. They opened with “Risk,” their latest single, which offers a bold glimpse into the band’s next chapter. From there, they launched into “Seeing Negative (Disappointment)” and “Recipe for Disaster,” proving exactly why they’ve become one of the most exciting names in pop rock right now. Devin’s vocals have always been a strength, but this set? They definitely have leveled up.

Midway through the night, Devin took a pause to soak it in: “This is the most people we’ve ever had at a headliner. Ever. Which means a few things — first, I get to yap as much as I want. Second, we get to do whatever we want.” The crowd erupted, and with that, they dove into three unreleased tracks: “Jealousy Monster”, “Loving and Losing”, and “Concentrate” — the last of which was a standout of the night. Each new track hinted at a more mature, layered direction for the band — if Retrovision was their opening statement, this next chapter is shaping up to be something deeper.

The crowd didn’t miss a beat — clapping, dancing, and shouting lyrics all night long. During “Distracted,” one of their earliest releases, Devin took a moment to compliment the room: “You guys have beautiful voices.”

Then came a fan-favorite tradition during “Favorite Song”: the conga line. A Honey Revenge show staple, the band stopped the set and insisted the crowd — yes, even the balcony — get moving. “We’re not starting this back up until we see the biggest conga line Chicago has ever seen,” Devin teased. And the crowd delivered. Watching that tradition scale up with the size of the venue was one of those little reminders of just how far this band has come.

But it wasn’t all high-energy fun. Devin took a quiet moment to tell the story of how Honey Revenge began — starting with Donny moving from Georgia to L.A. after the loss of their father, and how a chance video led to them joining Devin’s old band. A few years later, on just their second tour, Devin lost her own father — who happened to be from Chicago. “Every time we come back, it’s a special place for me,” she shared, her voice softening. One of her dad’s closest friends was in the crowd that night. You could feel the emotion shift in the room — not somber, but reflective, united. The story made their performance of “Loving and Losing” hit even harder. It wasn’t just a song; it was a tribute, and a reminder to hold your people close while you can.

“Every time we come back, it’s a special place for me.”

Then, in true Honey Revenge fashion, they flipped the mood. “Enough of that sad shit — we’re trying to see which city is the loudest!” Devin yelled, leading into “Habitual.” She taught the crowd their part — and made sure they had it down before the band jumped in. When it hit? The response was deafening. My earplugs needed earplugs. The sound, the energy — it felt like the building could barely contain it.

Later, during “Worst Apology,” Devin wasn’t content to just stay on stage. She jumped straight into the crowd, dancing shoulder-to-shoulder with fans who welcomed her like one of their own. It was pure chaos in the best way — the kind of moment you tell your friends about the next day with your voice half gone and your heart still racing.

And then came another signature moment: “Are You Impressed.” Devin scanned the crowd, smirking. “You know what time it is — get the fuck down!” she shouted. Like clockwork, everyone — from the barricade to the mezzanine — crouched down, buzzing with anticipation. At her signal, the entire room jumped together. It’s a move they’ve carried since their earliest shows, and seeing it pulled off at this scale felt like a celebration of every tiny venue they’d ever played.

They closed their main set with “Airhead,” the undeniable fan favorite and their most-streamed track to date. The crowd belted out every word, turning the room into one massive singalong. It was the kind of closer that leaves you hoarse, grinning, and unsure if your legs ache from standing or dancing — probably a bit of both.

Except it wasn’t quite over.

Honey Revenge doesn’t do encores the usual way. “We’ve played every song we’ve released,” Devin said with a grin. But they weren’t done just yet. The final surprise? A ferocious cover of Knocked Loose’s “Counting Worms.” It was raw, loud, unhinged — and somehow the perfect cherry on top of an already stacked set.

Before saying goodnight, the band invited everyone in for a group photo, asking the crowd to squeeze in, say hi to the person next to them, and be part of something together. And honestly, that’s what this show felt like — not just a concert, but a moment of shared history for everyone there.

As someone who’s been following Honey Revenge since they had just one single out, watching them sell out The Vic — a far cry from the 200-cap venues they once opened in — was surreal. They’ve grown, and so has their community. Retrovision was a no-skip debut, and after hearing what’s next, it’s clear the best is still ahead.

I left the venue buzzing — not just with excitement, but with pride. Seeing them take that stage felt like watching something you’ve believed in finally take off. Honey Revenge isn’t just gaining momentum — they’re building something that lasts.