Tim Heidecker performs with his Very Good Band at Thalia Hall in Chicago on Jan. 31, 2025.
Tim Heidecker has never been one to take a conventional approach to his art. Whether it’s the surreal humor of Tim and Eric, the parodies of On Cinema, or his earnest attitude towards music, he always leans into risk, much to the delight of fans of his work. So it came as no surprise that Heidecker’s Jan. 31 show at Thalia Hall in Chicago unfolded in a completely unique format with zero openers, two full band sets, stand-up comedy – from Neil Hamburger and Heidecker himself – and a slew of multi-media experiences.
The show opened with a recording of “The Star-Spangled Banner” – because why not – before Heidecker and The Very Good Band came on stage and ripped into “Well’s Running Dry,” the lead single from his stellar 2024 release, Slipping Away. After a quick trip back to High School, Heidecker’s 2022 album, for “Buddy,” the band unleashed “Trippin’ (Slippin’)” which concluded with a musical onslaught and one of the best jams of the first set.
“This is a little unorthodox for the headliner to come out and start playing music right away. You’re used to seeing some crappy band play for 40 minutes and wasting your time. Or maybe you’re smart and you don’t come to the show for another hour or something, but this is the new way,” Heidecker said with more than a little sarcasm in his delivery. “We cannot have any more of these sloppy bands showing up. You people work too hard to sit through some up-and-comer moping around on stage for 30 minutes.”
He continued, “It’s going to be an interesting night. It’s going to be a night of music. It’s going to be a night of laughter, but there will be severe mood shifts throughout the night.”
Tim Heidecker performs with his Very Good Band at Thalia Hall in Chicago on Jan. 31, 2025.
One such “mood shift” occurred as Heidecker and company went from the heart-wrenching “Hey, Would You Call My Mom for Me” into the upbeat rocker “Bows and Arrows.” Fans were eager to go along for the ride with Heidecker, who doesn’t shy away from harsh realities and universal human experiences whether he is crafting absurdist comedy or composing authentic music.
Later, it seemed that sound interference may interrupt the show, but it turned out that the trouble was merely a haunting by the late 2012 republican presidential candidate Herman Cain. Heidecker and his band quickly dispersed the apparition with a benediction in the form of the song “Lord Cain.” You may think that humor would be at the heart of the tune, and it was, but the song’s real strength was in the absolute face-melting guitars Heidecker and Connor “Catfish” Gallaher wailed in the outro.
Neil Hamburger performs at Thalia Hall in Chicago on Jan. 31, 2025.
Music was also key to Hamburger’s set as the insult comic joined Heidecker and The Very Good Band for a rousing rendition of Randy VanWarmer’s “Just When I Needed You Most,” complete with dazzling fidget spinner artistry. Hamburger proceeded to rip into everyone from Kiss to Dave Grohl to Jim Morrison – “a profoundly untalented individual” – with a variety of knock knock jokes, one-liners, and question/answer gags.
Heidecker’s stand-up set found him sharing his collection of comments – outlandish responses people have left on Facebook groups, YouTube videos, and other public forums. He later sat down at the piano for a tender take on the Tim and Eric tune “Spaghetti Again,” before bassist Eliana Athayde and the rest of the band joined him back on stage to close out the show with more great music.
Tim Heidecker performs at Thalia Hall in Chicago on Jan. 31, 2025.
There’s no doubt about it, in America, times are bad. But when people come together to share in weird and wonderful performances, suddenly the light peaking through the darkness gets a little brighter and a whole lot bolder.
Check out photos of Tim Heidecker and Neil Hamburger at Thalia Hall below and click here to pick-up tickets to future Slipping Away Tour dates. More information can be found at Timheidecker.com.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
