May 29, 2025 - Chicago, IL

On May 29, Briston Maroney and Peach Pit brought their co-headline Long Hair, Long Life tour to Huntington Bank Pavilion in Chicago, delivering a high-energy night that swung between raucous celebration and emotional resonance.

Maroney kicked off the night with “Real Good Swimmer,” a slow-building anthem that quickly turned into a crowd-unifying chant. It was a perfect opener - equal parts emotional and triumphant, setting the tone for a set that leaned more rock than indie or folk. While he’s often categorized as an indie artist, the live renditions of tracks like “Bottle Rocket,” “Body,” and “DNA” made clear that he’s steeped in the kind of raw, alternative edge that resonates on big stages.

Maroney’s stage design, a surreal backyard dream of grass and trees—contrasted with the unrelenting motion he brought to the stage. His presence was manic in the best way: pacing, jumping, and rallying the audience with his go-to exclamation, “We’re alive, people, come on!” The visual highlight? A rotisserie chicken he passed into the pit early into the set, creating wild cheers and laughter.

Still, Maroney knows when to soften. Midway through his set, he brought out Dougal Bain of Peach Pit on violin for a stripped-back pairing of “Land of Light” and “Caroline.” The orchestral textures and hushed vocals were a welcome slowdown before ramping things back up with high-impact performances of “June,” “Better Than You,” and “Under My Skin.”

He closed with “Freakin’ Out on the Interstate”—a song that’s become almost mythic among fans. The crowd belted every word, arms in the air, bringing his set to a cathartic, communal finish.

Although some of the crowd began to drift after Maroney’s set, those who stayed were treated to a masterclass in dynamic tension and explosive release. Peach Pit’s live identity thrives on the contrast between mellow verses and chaotic bursts of energy. That contrast was on full display in songs like “Drop the Guillotine,” “Give Up Baby Go,” and “Alrighty Aphrodite,” where the band’s laid-back cool would suddenly erupt into searing guitar solos and wild, synchronized hair-whipping.

Newer tracks from Magpie, including the title track and “Outta Here,” landed with full weight—proof that the band’s evolution hasn’t lost them any of their punch. The set also included deeper cuts like “Black Licorice,” and “Private Presley,” each given a new edge in the live format.

Peach Pit’s technical ability often gets overshadowed by their slacker-rock aesthetic, but onstage, it’s undeniable. Songs like “Shampoo Bottles” and the mashup of “What Once Was / Techno Show” (a nod to Her’s) showcased intricate guitar work and tight rhythm, while Neil Smith’s vocals remained consistently expressive.

They closed the set with an acoustic version of “Peach Pit,” played solo by Neil, giving fans a quiet moment before launching into “Tommy’s Party” for the encore which was a perfect closer, both sentimental and cathartic.

Together, Briston Maroney and Peach Pit proved that co-headline tours can work when there’s mutual intensity, even if it’s delivered in different flavors. Maroney brought raw heart and frenzied grit; Peach Pit delivered precision, charm, and pure catharsis. It wasn’t just a concert. It was a living, breathing show of contrast—mellow to wild, silly to sincere. And it absolutely worked.