Lincoln Hall was packed to capacity as Phoneboy made their highly anticipated return to Chicago on their Heartbreak Designer tour, following up their 2023 Beat Kitchen appearance with a performance that showcased exactly why they’re gaining momentum in the indie rock world.
The excitement started even before Phoneboy took the stage. A pre-recorded message from frontman Wyn Barnum played throughout the venue, introducing their pre-show contest: one fan would win side-stage access for a few songs along with a signed setlist, while two others would get to pick out a free t-shirt from the merch table. As soon as the announcement played, everyone around me instinctively pulled out their phones to enter — a collective buzz of anticipation filled the room.
As the lights dimmed and the opening notes of “Wayside” rang out, Jordan Torres charged onto the stage, shouting, “Chicago, how are we doing?” The rest of the band followed, wasting no time as they dove into the opening song. It was clear from the jump: the crowd came ready. The energy was instant and electric, a perfect match for the band’s infectious stage presence.
“Chicago, how the fuck are we feeling tonight? We’re Phoneboy and we’re super stoked to be here,” Wyn exclaimed, as the band launched into “Ferrari.” He encouraged everyone to raise their hands and take a few steps closer to the stage. The response was immediate — hands flew into the air and the crowd pressed forward, creating a tight, unified mass of fans singing, clapping, and moving in sync.
About halfway through the set, the band took a moment to shout out their opener, INOHA, who matched their energy perfectly — a crucial component for any tour. “You guys are sick,” Wyn said, grinning. “Chicago, sold out show — are you kidding me? Chicago is one of the best cities in our opinion.” The crowd erupted in cheers, clearly proud to live up to the band’s praise.
Of course, no Chicago show would be complete without local references. The band ticked off Chicago favorites like the Cubs, Chicago dogs, and The Pope (yes, really). But when Wyn declared, “Deep dish low-key sucks,” the crowd booed playfully. I’ll admit it: I was right there with him. As a fellow Chicagoan, deep dish does suck (please don’t boo me next).
The setlist was masterfully curated — a high-energy ride through fan favorites and standout tracks from their new album Heartbreak Designer, released this past April.
During one of the more intimate moments of the night, Jordan paused to reflect on how good it felt to be back in Chicago. She asked the crowd to sing back a line from the next song, “Red Wine” — only one practice round was needed before they nailed it. From there, they launched straight into the song, with Jordan taking lead vocals and the audience proudly echoing her lines back.
The sense of connection between band and audience was palpable. Every clap, every jump, every singalong felt sincere and reciprocal. Phoneboy doesn’t just perform to a crowd — they perform with them.
A particularly fun highlight came when Wyn introduced a special guest: the bright red bear on the cover of Heartbreak Designer. “His name is Red,” he said with a grin. “We adopted him from eBay. He’s nervous, so you guys better be loud as shit.” The crowd erupted as Wyn held up the album like a proud dad showing off a trophy. That goofy energy seamlessly transitioned into the title track, a slower, more emotional moment that gave the audience a chance to slow down and breathe — and feel just a little bit closer to the band.
But the slowdown didn’t last long. As soon as the final notes of “Heartbreak Designer” faded, they were back in full swing. For “Something On My Mind,” Ricky Dana opened up a mosh pit, while reminding everyone to look out for each other: “If someone falls, pick them up.” A reminder of the band’s values— all about community, connection, and safe chaos.
While the night centered heavily around their newest work, Phoneboy made sure to throw it back with a few tracks from their first two albums. Before the final stretch, they reflected on their roots in New Jersey and current lives in New York together — but made sure to say, “We love Chicago so much, so we’re from Chicago tonight.”
As the set ended, the crowd refused to let go, chanting “One more song!” with a very Chicago touch of politeness: “One more song — please!” Phoneboy returned, laughing and grateful, to reveal they weren’t just giving us one more song — they were giving us three. They closed the night with some of their biggest hits, kicking off with “Hey, Kid!” and proving that neither the band nor the crowd had run out of energy.
After such a high-voltage performance, you’d think they’d be ready to call it a night — but Phoneboy isn’t just about the music. They prioritize real fan connection, often sticking around after the show to chat, sign things, and soak in the experience. Before leaving the stage, they even signed someone’s shoe, caving to the crowd’s playful peer pressure.
I’ve only been listening to Phoneboy for a few months, but after seeing them live, they’ve secured a spot on my constant rotation. There’s something special about seeing a band that not only plays great music but also makes every person in the room feel like part of something bigger. If they’re stopping in your city soon — don’t miss them. They’re not just playing shows. They’re creating moments.
