Freak Slug blows out big candles with crowd at Schubas
review by Melissa Bruckman
photo by bella petro
On December 10th, 2024, nearly 200 dedicated Freak Slug fans braved the Chicago weather and gathered in one of the city’s most intimate concert venues.
Chicago being the last stop on their U.S. tour, Freak Slug went all out and played a fast and furious 14-song set filled with their greatest hits and songs from their new album.
Local band, Smut, opened for Freak Slug. Smut’s set leaned into punk and alternative indie genres. A rhythmic bass, extravagantly active drums, distorted guitars, and powerful female vocals led the crowd through rock ballads with a Third-eye-blind and sometimes Cranberries feel.
After a brief pause, Freak Slug entered the stage with cheers and applause from the crowd. Lead singer, Xenya Genovese, set up her sparkly red guitar, which matched her bright red shoes!
The band started with the first song from their debut album, I Blow Out Big Candles. Using a wide range of vocal technique, Genovese switched out the dreamy, high-range vocals at the end of “Ya Ready” with a sing-yell that complimented the energy of the venue. A slightly faster tempo moved along the moody, grungy song.
I Blow Out Big Candles showcased a new alternative sound for Freak Slug. Genovese mentioned in interviews that her songwriting and genre fluidity is based purely on vibes.
Next, the band performed “Alien,” featuring dancing, tight drum transitions, and fun vocal effects that accompanied this upbeat, quirky piece.
“Care,” a beloved single, prompted the crowd to burst into cheers, bringing out their phones to record this well-known hit. Unlike the recorded version, the song began with voice and guitar until the bass and drums joined in. The musicality of the vocals made this live rendition of “Care” special. While keeping the soft, dreamy style of the song, Genovese added alternate harmonies and vocal riffs that made this performance one-of-a-kind.
After “Care,” the band returned with another track from the new album, “Get Away.” Although lyrically relatively simple, Genovese delivered robust, impactful vocals for their fourth song.
Later in the show, the group played two more singles, “Friday” and “Radio.” The first featured a midi pad with underlying but iconic synth tones. This interpretation included whistling, speak-singing, and a small guitar duet. The groove was relaxing and contagious. “Radio” also used the midi pad with dreamy vocals to add color. This calming, familiar tune was taken faster than usual and used the drums to stay on beat. To add variety, the drums dropped out for one verse. A small guitar solo closed out the song.
Intimate ballads “Be Your Girl” and “Sexy Lemon” highlighted Freak Slug’s persona as an indie queer icon. The crowd burst into song when the band performed “Be Your Girl.” The drums skillfully switched between quiet and gentle moments and the passionate chorus. “Sexy Lemon,” a song described on Genovese’s TikTok as “for the hot blonde girls,” featured both the guitarist and bassist on backup vocals. Genovese’s guitar had distortions that added a pleasantly grungy element.
“Hello” and “Piece of Cake,” upbeat fan favorites, were transformed into singalongs. “Hello” drew the ear to the main guitar and its intertwining melodies with the vocals. “Piece of Cake” was undoubtedly a treat for the listeners and band. The guitar and voice poked fun by imitating each other, and Genovese leaned into the crowd interaction by emphasizing “daydream thoughts,” a lyric in the familiar verse.
Freak Slug’s cover of New Order’s, “Disorder,” nods to their 80s new wave inspiration. The cover slows the tempo to highlight the dissonant guitar chords and melodies. In this rendition, the band added the “feel it” section of the New Order original, unheard in the recording.
As the title would suggest, one of the final songs, “Killer,” had a very dark sound. Paired with Genovese’s light, airy singing, the 90s grunge guitars and drums turned playful. All band members danced and collaborated. The vocals also showcased heavy grunge technique with screams.
“Witch,” a gem from I Blow Out Big Candles, was one of their strongest live songs. Together in every aspect, the band sounded like they hit their stride with this song. The imperfections, volume, and tones made the piece sound extraordinarily raw and vulnerable, evoking chills. The audience seemed entranced by the powerful transitions and fullness of the group’s sound.
Freak Slug closed the concert with a band and fan favorite, “Spells.” First written on the bass guitar, the eerie single was released coincidentally near Halloween. To perform, Genovese put down her guitar to focus solely on singing. Unlike its recorded counterpart, the signature cowbell was absent, but the drums sturdily led time for the lively song full of transitions and raging vocals.
During the performance, the band noted that this was their first time in Chicago and even told the audience, “You guys are awesome!” It seems Chicago left a good impression because shortly after the concert, Freak Slug added a Chicago date to their 2025 tour (March 20th, 2025, at Empty Bottle). There was a fair amount of interaction between the audience and the performers, which is one of the best parts about intimate concerts. Get your tickets to see Freak Slug live now — with their mix of indie, 90’s grunge, 80’s new wave influences, and fantastic musicality, this group is expected to pick up a large fan base, fast.
