Salt Shed in Chicago, IL — September 17, 2024

Fans of Australian indie folk singer Vance Joy gathered at the Salt Shed in Chicago on Tuesday to celebrate the ten year anniversary of the album, Dream Your Life Away. The song most well known globally from the album is Riptide, which has experienced enduring success and was covered by Taylor Swift (who Joy also opened on Taylor’s 1989 World Tour) in 2014 for BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge.

Joy entered from stage right, beginning with an acoustic performance of “From Afar” and then “Winds of Change” accompanied by band members Zam (Sam Woodbury) and Jono Colliver. He introduced “Fire and the Flood” by sharing that his English teacher mother had contributed lyrical inspiration. At one point Joy performed acoustic from a B-stage amidst the crowd. The setlist also included a cover of “Everybody Needs Someone” by Noah Cyrus with opener Tiny Habits, and a cover of KISS’ “I Was Made For Lovin’ You.” The energy was buoyant and nostalgic, especially during “Riptide.” Joy is headed to Nashville next on tour with support from Tiny Habits.

Words & Photography: Anson Tong