Toro y Moi Shows Chicago Why He’s the King of Genre Blending
chicago, illinois - february 7, 2025
I arrived at this SOLD-OUT Salt Shed Chicago show not knowing much about his discography. Still, I left genuinely impressed at the way Toro y Moi, the project of Chaz Bear, delivered an effortless blend of genres to create something uniquely his own. Sounds of indie, electronic, funk, psychedelia, and other styles of experimental jams pulsed throughout the venue, creating a standout show.
Whether it was hearing the psychedelic pop-rock atmosphere of “Mirage,” the electronic and breakbeat laced “The Difference,” or the funk-infused sounds of “Ordinary Pleasure,” his ability to evolve and explore different sounds while maintaining his signature energy is what has kept fans hooked for over a decade. Now, with his latest 2024 album, Hole Erth, he’s brought that same innovative energy to the stage, introducing more of a rap sound this time around.
Two music groups, Nourished by Time and Panda Bear, opened the show with neo-psychedelia, R&B, and electronic sounds to prep the crowd for what was to come, with Panda Bear being a solidified headliner along with Toro Y Moi on this shared tour.
From the moment the lights dimmed and the first vibrations of sound rang out, the crowd was locked into what was to come. Cheers rang out as Toro and his band kicked things off with “Walking In The Rain,” setting a high-energy tone with the sounds of his latest studio album - high hats and 808s vibrating through the venue. The setlist bounced between eras, from the dreamy, nostalgia-drenched sounds of “Rose Quartz” to the funky, danceable energy of “Freelance.” Every track had its moment—some had the crowd swaying back and forth, while others had people letting loose, dancing without a care.
Visually, the show was just as immersive, with colorful psychedelic light beams flooding the stage—deep purples, neon blues, and bursts of warm reds washed over Toro y Moi as he swiftly shifted around the stage between vocals and synth manipulation. The whole set had this laid-back but completely intentional flow. He was guiding the room through different moods with style and ease.
As the night wrapped up and he closed with “Freelance,” the energy in the room was still buzzing. Toro y Moi’s set impressed me, thanks to his ability to genre blend and make his signature sound a conglomerate of so many different sources, allowing him also to appeal to the masses. If you ever get the chance to catch him live, I say do it.
