Tom Morello performs at The Vic Theatre in Chicago on Oct. 22, 2019
After melting faces as the co-founder and lead guitarist of Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, Street Sweeper Social Club and Prophets of Rage along with fighting for revolution, union rights and working people all over the world as The Nightwatchman, Tom Morello transformed himself into a maestro of modern music with The Atlas Underground.
The 2018 album – which featured collaborations with everyone from RZA to Portugal. The Man to K. Flay – served as the inspiration for Morello’s Oct. 22 stop at The Vic Theatre in Chicago. The show began with a video introduction revealing a “Communique from The Atlas Underground.” The lights suddenly went dark and when they came up again, Morello appeared in the center of the crowd with his fist in the air.
Tom Morello performs at The Vic Theatre in Chicago on Oct. 22, 2019
“Where It’s At Ain’t What It Is” was performed amid cheering fans as a vocal track blasted Gary Clark Jr.’s lyrics. Morello stomped and shredded through the song – his guitar sounds firmly taking the lead in the live setting as opposed to the more electronic elements of the studio recording – before making his way to the stage where “Rabbit’s Revenge” and “Every Step That I Take” soon followed.
For much of the night, Morello was joined by multi-instrumentalist Carl Restivo and drummer Eric Gardner, the latter of whom challenged rhythmic norms with mesmerizing results on “Find Another Way,” all while the guitar God weaved in and out of each beat with his own wizardry. “How Long” found Tim McIlrath’s vocal track blending into the framework as Morello’s guitar – a blaring alarm – rose above the musical madness. After guiding the crowd in an above-the-head two-clap lead-in on “Can’t Stop the Bleeding,” Morello unleashed a classic blues rock solo that evolved into an onslaught of echoing instrumental mayhem.
Tom Morello performs at The Vic Theatre in Chicago on Oct. 22, 2019
Later, Restivo shined on “Save the Hammer for the Man” which also found Morello transforming his acoustic guitar sound to that of a delicate harpsichord towards the end of the tune.
The Nightwatchman acoustic portion of the evening began with Morello’s first spoken words of the night.
“I’d like to play a song for Chicago teachers who are on strike right now,” he said with cheers engulfing the room as he reminisced about his mom’s career as a union high school teacher. “The future of the labor movement in Illinois will be decided in the classroom and in the streets by striking Chicago teachers.”
“Union Song” – its lyrical reference to “The teacher in Chicago” receiving a huge crowd response – propelled fists into the air as Morello performed solo, armed with only his message and his guitar.
Earlier in the evening, Audioslave was honored with a hard-hitting instrumental take on “Cochise” and a sing-a-long inducing rendition of “Like a Stone” complete with Chris Cornell’s vocal track. Morello took time out to pay tribute to Cornell – who died from suicide in 2017 – with a tender performance of “The Garden Of Gethsemane.”
“Take my hand / Down we go,” Morello sang with haunting beauty, ending the poignant moment by slowly stepping away from the microphone, while fans sat in silent reflection.
Tom Morello performs at The Vic Theatre in Chicago on Oct. 22, 2019
The remainder of the night was comprised of “heavy metal bangers,” including Morello’s take on the Bruce Springsteen classic “The Ghost of Tom Joad.” A contemplative intro soon made way for the first of many roaring solos further building on the story of The Grapes of Wrath protagonist with each bending note. As Morello played the song’s final solo – screeching and gnawing with his teeth – he took another opportunity to support striking teachers by revealing a CTU (Chicago Teachers Union) sign on the back of his guitar.
“Perhaps you’d like to hear one more song,” Morello asked. “Are we in this together people?”
He proceeded to invite hundreds of fans to join him on The Vic Theatre stage for the show’s epic finale.
“We’re going to conclude tonight with an old gospel number. If you know the words, sing along,” Morello said striking the iconic opening chord of the Rage Against the Machine anthem, “Killing in the Name.” A cover of John Lennon’s “Power to the People” closed things out with a feeling of collective optimism.
The revolution will not be televised. The revolution will be live. And it just might begin at a Tom Morello concert.
Check out photos from Tom Morello’s Oct. 22 performance – featuring Bones UK – at The Vic Theatre in Chicago below and more information about The Atlas Underground Live Tour dates can be found at Tommorello.com.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
