Daughter, Metro, Chicago, Illinois

It was my second time seeing English indie rock/folk band Daughter. The first time was two years ago when they opened up for The National. At the time, I had already heard and really enjoyed their debut album, If You Leave (2013), but I was really looking forward to seeing their headlining show. It’s just a lot different seeing a band as an opening act surrounded by a lot of disengaged people, as compared to being surrounded by their fans. They’ve also since released a second album, Not to Disappear (2016), the quality of which rivals the first.

We didn’t arrive at Metro particularly early, but slid up into our normal spot off to the far left, and we were already out from underneath the balcony when the show started about 9pm. As the evening went on, we scooched closer to the stage. The band consists of Elena Tonra (lead vocals, guitar), Igor Haefeli (keys, guitar, bass, occasional vocals), and Remi Aguilella (drums). They were also joined by a touring keyboardist. They’re pretty quiet, and didn’t add any on-stage theatrics to the performance beside a few stage lights. Nor are any of the band members particularly animated or engaged with the audience. With a setlist that consisted of an equal mix of songs from the first and second albums, plus one from The Wild Youth EP (2011), the show was kind of just watching a live rendition of a greatest hits record. But since I really like both those records, I was satisfied.

Setlist:
How
Tomorrow
Numbers
Alone / With You
Amsterdam
Human
Doing the Right Thing
Shallows
Home
No Care
Winter
Smother
New Ways
Youth
Fossa