Run the Jewels perform at The Salt Shed in Chicago on Sept. 27, 2023.
The goblins were awakened on Sept. 27 as Run the Jewels took the stage at The Salt Shed for the first of four shows celebrating their decade-long career. Each night is being held in honor of a specific RTJ release so night one began at the beginning with EL-P and Killer Mike, joined by their DJ, Trackstar, kicking things off with the title track off their very first album, “Run the Jewels.”
The bass-heavy single was the perfect introduction to the duo when it came out back in 2013 and it proved to be an ideal show-starter inspiring everyone to raise their hands – in pistols and fists – instantly. EL-P paused the music for only a moment so he and Mike could express their thanks to everyone for supporting Run the Jewels for all these years.
“You motherfuckers sold this motherfucker out for four nights in a row and we have to acknowledge how grateful we are for that and how grateful we are to do this ten years later. When this all started we didn’t think it was gonna be this,” said EL-P. “We just thought it was gonna be a cool record that a couple dudes that did way too many mushrooms and smoked way too much weed made.”
Run the Jewels perform at The Salt Shed in Chicago on Sept. 27, 2023.
That cool record, and the night’s setlist, also included classics like “Banana Clipper,” “36” Chain,” and “Get It,” the last of which gave Killer Mike a chance to show off his dance moves after EL-P broke out his best Irish jig earlier in the night. “Twin Hype Back” was named one of the songs the duo “barely know,” but fans didn’t seem to mind especially since the track gave Trackstar the DJ an opportunity to showcase his scratching skills.
“He has been with us from the very beginning of Run the Jewels and I just want to say thank you to Trackstar,” said EL-P before the DJ shared a joint with the two rappers.
“You kind of look like Jim McMahon smoking a joint with those shades,” joked Mike to EL-P getting a big laugh from fans who appreciated his ’85 Bears reference.
Little Shalimar – who opened the night with a DJ set that served as a musical history lesson featuring tracks from Slick Rick, Jungle Brothers, Beastie Boys, Gil Scott-Heron, Joe Cocker and more – joined RTJ to unleash a wicked guitar solo on the Run the Jewels 1 closer “A Christmas Fucking Miracle.”
“[I’m] fortunate to [have been] working with Run the Jewels before Run the Jewels was Run the Jewels. I made all these records with these dudes and these last ten years have been some of the best of my life because of this and because of y’all,” said Little Shalimar during his set earlier in the evening.
Run the Jewels perform at The Salt Shed in Chicago on Sept. 27, 2023.
“A Christmas Fucking Miracle” may have marked the end of the album, but it certainly wasn’t the end of the show.
“We’ve got more in store,” Killer Mike teased as EL-P announced, “Congratulations, you’ve unlocked a secret level. You have entered into a serious bonus round that’s longer than the album.”
“Legend Has It,” “yankee and the brave (ep. 4)” and “ooh la la” were among the career-spanning hits Run the Jewels played in their second set.
Killer Mike and EL-P will return to The Salt Shed on Sept. 28, 29 and 30 for three sold-out shows in honor of their other three albums. Click here to see a full list of upcoming shows at The Salt Shed and head over to Runthejewels.com for more information about upcoming RTJ performances.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
