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Show Review : The Strike Ignites Chicago opening for The Fray
By Kyle Muha
The Strike lit up Chicago on August 15th, opening the iconic Chicago Theatre for The Fray’s How To Save a Life 20th Anniversary Tour. From the first synth notes, it felt like the crowd had stepped into another era. They kicked things off with three tracks from The Lost Years—“Overtime,” “Miles Ahead,” and “Painkillers”—and immediately had everyone hooked with their signature melodic indie-pop sound.
The night kept rolling with four songs from their latest album, A Dream Through Open Eyes—“Down,” “Just Like Paradise,” “Getaway,” and “Soundtrack.” Chris Crabb owned the stage with vocals that hit straight to the heart, while Jay Tibbitts kept the groove tight on drums, making it impossible not to move. The Strike put all their emotion into every song, and the crowd felt every beat right along with them.
The Strike (© Kyle Muha for Breaking Scene Media)
The real highlight? Their cover of The Outfield’s “Your Love.” The whole theatre sang along—it was pure goosebumps. The track showed off The Strike’s love for that classic ’80s sound while still making it completely their own. In a world where that vibe rarely hits the mainstream anymore, it was a reminder of how timeless it is—and proof that The Strike are the perfect band to carry it forward.
If you want a night full of energy, emotion, and great music, The Strike are not to be missed. Their shows mix old favorites with new hits, making everyone from longtime fans to first-timers feel right at home. With a few dates left on the tour, here’s where you can catch them live:
- Tuesday, August 19 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
- Wednesday, August 20 – Portland, OR – McMenamins Crystal Ballroom
- Friday, August 22 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater
- Saturday, August 23 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
- Sunday, August 24 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern