Olivia O. Offers An Intimate Night At Schubas Tavern
Chicago, Illinois - January 23, 2026
Despite the frigid wind chill on Chicago’s coldest winter evening this past Friday, loyal fans huddled in Schubas Tavern to celebrate Tomorrow Never Knows Fest’s third weekend in support of indie multi-instrumentalist, Olivia Osby, better known as Olivia O. Well-loved local acts, Daundry and Astrobrite, opened the show with hard hitting shoegaze, providing the crowd a chance to warm up prior to the calming acoustic set that was to come.
The Atlanta-based artist enchanted the stage, set with a cup of tea and her instruments resting on two stools. As Osby prepares for her performance, a soft red glow illuminates the Tavern’s small back room while she removes her boots. Personalized with scrap fabric tied around the neck, gentle strums of her acoustic guitar quickly turn conversations into hoots of support for the alternative solo musician. She begins the set by looping soft vocal harmonies, followed by high pitched flute notes, then violin and guitar chords, a routine that repeats throughout the set.
The delicately intertwined lullaby-like melody transitions to “it’s easy,” the last song on her second album No Bones, Sickly Sweet, while fans sway through the stillness in the air. Ominous creaks and echoes fill the silence between melancholic melodies. Osby encourages fans to sit down or enjoy the set in whichever way is most comfortable. “I love a standing vibe, but don’t feel pressured. It’s not a moshing set,” she banters. Some fans chuckle in response, while others take the opportunity to relax on the floor, emphasizing the intimate nature of the set.
A tearful crowd sings along to “One Hit Wonder,” the lead single for No Bones, Sickly Sweet. Osby takes a moment to acknowledge and give thanks to those in attendance despite the debilitating cold, with one fan shouting, “It’s worth it!” Next up is an unreleased track titled, “Frostbite,” which she dedicates to being broken up with right before winter, her voice cracking with rage and disappointment when the chorus strikes.
She then covers “Bankrupt on Selling,” by Modest Mouse and continues down the setlist with “Hole,” followed by “Rejection,” taping a sign on the mic stand reading, “WHAT DO YOU DREAM ABOUT,” between songs. Osby admits to this being her first time playing violin live since teaching herself how to play over the past month, turning the loss of a breakup into something productive. Fans erupt with compliments in support of the multifaceted musician. She takes the opportunity to promote Lowertown, an indie rock band she and her close friend Avsha Weinberg created at 16. Now at 24, she teases new music will be here as soon as early February before ending her set with “Hickory,” a song off her first album Everyone is a Light.
Olivia O.’s stripped back set combined with an immersive fan experience made the night a special one, even hanging out by her merch table to meet fans after the set. Keep an eye out for a tour announcement from Lowertown so you don’t miss the chance to see Osby’s more energetic rock performance live, and listen to her newest genre bending solo album, Telescope, out on all streaming platforms.
