Ron Gallo performs at Schubas in Chicago on April 12, 2023.
Last month, Ron Gallo released his cathartic new album Foreground Music via Kill Rock Stars. The work is timely, profound and full of clanging, crunchy guitars.
The Philadelphia rocker and his band – Chiara D’Anzieri (bass) and Josh Aaron (drums) with additional instrumentation from Nelson Antonio Espinal – celebrated the occasion with Chicago fans during a sold-out performance at Schubas on April 12. Whipping jams marching bravely towards the brink of madness kept the room moving, but if you listened more closely, Gallo’s lyrical poetry was the true star of the show.
“This next song is about feeling pretty apocalyptic, but also hopeful, most of the time over the past few years,” said Gallo introducing the dystopian banger, “At Least I’m Dancing,” on which he sings, “How can we dance together if gentle and kind is overshadowed by clever.” The new album’s title track and “Entitled Man” also connected with the crowd.
“Yucca Valley Marshalls” gave Gallo a chance to joke with fans as he revealed that he is actually more of a “T.J. Maxx guy” while “Big Truck Energy” allowed him to lyrically eviscerate the “dumb proud men” who “will destroy this world” as he strummed sweet bluesy riffs.
Ron Gallo performs at Schubas in Chicago on April 12, 2023.
One of the most beautiful songs of the night was the Foreground Music closer, “I Love Someone Buried Deep Inside of You,” which was dedicated to “anyone that’s had a loved one struggling with addiction.”
“I want to thank you for being here tonight. It’s been a pretty fucked up few years. I’ve had a lot of time to sit around and think. This [live music] was taken away from us so the fact that everyone is here – you’re all here – don’t take it for granted. It’s good. I really appreciate it. It feels good to be playing in rooms with people again,” said Gallo before introducing the tune which resides in that heartbreaking place between hope and pain.
Though the bulk of the setlist was dedicated to new music, Gallo took time out to share a few fan favorites – or as he called them “deep cuts” – like “Young Lady, You’re Scaring Me” and “Black Market Eyes.”
Check out photos from Ron Gallo’s Chicago show – featuring support from John Roseboro – below and click here to pick-up tickets to future tour dates. More information can be found at Rongallomusic.com.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
