WILLIS Illuminates the House of Blues
Chicago, Illinois - August 21, 2026
The air was thick with excitement last Friday as people anticipated the charming band WILLIS, a Nashville-based indie band continuing their “Locals Only” tour that began last July. Fans packed the venue and the front of the stage, filling the crowd with laughter and joyful anticipation as the openers, The Flooks and Braymores, played. With ambient red and blue lights illuminating the crowd with a soft orange light on the stage, the vibe felt laid-back and comfortable.
The five-piece band, consisting of lead singer and bassist Murphy Billings; Glenn O’ Steen on drums, synths, and keyboard; Will O’ Steen, Edward Armstead, and Trey Murphy on guitar, uses their music to drive good vibes wherever they go. Following the release of their latest album, Locals 5, their sound pushes a surf-rock and uplifting sound with hazy guitars while still staying grounded in their soul roots from when they first started in Alabama. Thematically and sonically, the album leans into a reflective, unhurried mood. Across its seven tracks, Locals 5 continues WILLIS's tradition of blending breezy guitar work with a strong sense of place and community, tying back to the "Locals Only" ethos the band has built their identity around and draws their audience to the House of Blues.
Willis kicked off with a very mellow opening with a song from their latest album, “Real Vacation.” Lead singer Murphy Billings approached the stage with humility and a perfect start to the show. Locals 5 is filled with a surf-rock ambience and groovy guitars that make the band stand out in the indie-rock genre. The band felt very harmonious with their ability to use improvisations from each member and effortlessly blend them into each song. The band had a lot of support from their fans and community that they have built over time, which made the show feel very welcoming for new and old fans. As the band played in the intimate glowing blue lights, the crowd swayed and met the band with cheers after each song. As the band kicked off with some of their more familiar singles to older fans, such as “Fight The Vegans,” or their latest hit to blow up on social media, “I Think I Like When it Rains,” the crowd sang along, which created a beautiful moment for the show, with fans illuminating their flashlights on their phone; all eyes were on the band.
Overall, the show was a delight for a laid-back and calm Friday night, and the House of Blues was the perfect venue for the crowd to sway with the music and unwind from the week. The band was comfortable enough in their sound to stretch it, play with it, and let the night unfold on its own terms. There was an easy chemistry to the performance, the kind that comes from years on the road together, and it showed in how naturally the songs breathed live versus how they sound on record.
