Stephen Wilson Jr. Delivers An Unforgettable Night In Chicago!
On the second night of the Son Of Dad tour, Stephen Wilson Jr. graced the historic Lincoln Hall in Chicago, leaving an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to be in attendance. The venue, steeped in history, first opened its doors in 1912 as the Fullerton Theatre. Over the years, it has morphed through various incarnations—a garage, a machine shop, the Crest Theatre, and the 3 Penny Cinema. It even played a part in the infamous story of John Dillinger, with FBI sharpshooters stationed on its roof in 1934 as he exited the Biograph Theater and was shot dead. In its current form, Lincoln Hall opened in 2009 and has since become a beloved spot for music lovers in Chicago.
Photos By: Nashville Is His Bride
The evening kicked off with the talented Bre Kennedy, whose recent stripped album Scream Over Everything was the focal point of her set. Hailing from Salt Lake City and having spent some formative years in Los Angeles, Bre finally found her true musical identity in Nashville.
Click The Image For The Full Bre Kennedy Gallery
One of the standout moments of her set was the deeply emotional The Vase, a song dedicated to her grandmother. Bre painted a vivid picture of her grandmother’s double-wide trailer filled with flowers, where she’d watch Grey's Anatomy and smoke Parliaments. Her set was a raw, emotional journey, a perfect prelude to the night that lay ahead.
As the lights dimmed and the crowd grew expectant, Stephen Wilson Jr. took to the stage, returning to Chicago after a smaller performance at Schuba's earlier in the year. This time, he had upgraded to the more spacious Lincoln Hall, and it was clear that word of his talent had spread—fans were packed shoulder to shoulder. The set began with Calico Creek, and the energy in the room was palpable. Growing up in Southern Indiana, Stephen had complex feelings about the term Hillbilly, a topic he explored in the song Billy, inspired by his experiences both as a child and later as a scientist.
Next came Cuckoo, a song that had the audience's voices reverberating off the venue’s brick walls. A new addition to his setlist, Not Letting Go, was introduced with a heartfelt story about his father’s complicated relationship with love.
“I said Dad it’s almost like you’re doing it on purpose as If you’re holding on to not letting go”
Stephen has faced his share of natural disasters, surviving two tornadoes, one of which struck Nashville just before Christmas in 2023. He reflected on these harrowing experiences before performing Twisted, reminding the crowd that while nature can be cruel, life remains incredibly beautiful.
Stephen rarely includes cover songs in his sets, but Chicago was treated to a few special renditions. The first was Clark Gable by The Postal Service, a nostalgic nod that resonated deeply with the audience. He shared anecdotes from his youth, including tales of rolling his S10 pickup truck out of the driveway to attend keggers, only to return it just in time to sit in a church pew hours later.
“The church service was crazier than the kegger I was just at 4 hours ago”
These memories culminated in the haunting song The Devil, which he explained was born out of a terrifying experience that occurred at precisely 3:33 AM one morning. He felt like he saw the Devil more than God growing up and it scared the hell out of him. This was also the first song he ever released; said he was almost scared of the song at first. Between songs, Stephen's interaction with the audience added another layer of connection. He spoke candidly about his inspirations, the challenges of the past year, and the profound influence his father had on his life and music. These moments of transparency created an intimate atmosphere, making the venue feel like a cozy living room where friends gathered to share stories and songs.
Stephen has no tattoos, he confided, but he does have scars, leading into the poignant track Patches. At this point, the emotional intensity of the evening was almost overwhelming, but Stephen masterfully steered the audience through it. He recounted the moment he knew his father had passed away while driving on a Kentucky highway—an epiphany marked by the sudden presence of a passenger named Grief. Bre Kennedy rejoined him on stage for a stirring duet of Grief Is Only Love, a performance that left few dry eyes in the house.
The emotional roller coaster continued with My Father's Son, a song Stephen sings with immense pride. In light of a recent school shooting, his song Kid took on a profound significance, touching the hearts of many in the crowd.
“Walkin’ through the halls with a bullet-proof backpack”
The venue practically shook with collective energy as he performed his viral hit Year To Be Young 1994. The second cover of the night, Nirvana's Something In The Way, followed, adding yet another layer of depth to the evening. Stephen closed his main set with Hometown and Holler From The Holler, his band showcased in full force, jamming with an intensity that left the crowd clamoring for more. Unsurprisingly, the audience demanded an encore, and Stephen obliged.
For the encore, Stephen returned to the stage alone, armed with only his guitar. The atmosphere shifted to a more introspective and intimate tone as he began to speak about his father's favorite song of his, I'm A Song. He shared the deeply personal story of how he had performed this song at his father's funeral, a piece that had not made it to the Son Of Dad album because Stephen had not intended to play it again.
His voice wavered with emotion as he recounted how his father was his biggest supporter, attending his boxing matches and early gigs at places like the Bluebird. The crowd was silent, hanging on to every word, fully appreciating the vulnerability and raw honesty Stephen was sharing. When a fan shouted, He is here tonight, it seemed to resonate deeply with Stephen. He choked back tears and responded with a heartfelt,
“Don't make me cry, y'all”
creating a moment of shared humanity that transcended the typical artist-fan relationship. As Stephen began to play I'm A Song, the room was enveloped in profound silence, each note echoing the love and loss he felt. The song's simplicity and heartfelt lyrics made it a standout moment of the night, a testament to the enduring bond between father and son. It was a poignant reminder of how music can serve as a bridge between the living and those who have passed on, keeping their memory alive in the hearts of those who remain.
The emotional journey continued with another new song, Gary, which Stephen started solo before the band rejoined him midway. As the night drew to a close, Stephen and his band performed The Beginning, a fitting end to an evening full of heartfelt storytelling and musical brilliance. The song's hopeful and uplifting message served as a perfect counterpoint to the evening's more introspective moments, leaving the audience with a sense of closure and optimism.
Click The Image For The Full Stephen Wilson Jr. Gallery
Reflecting on the concert, it is clear that Stephen Wilson Jr. delivered a performance that was much more than just a series of songs. It was an emotional journey, a celebration of life, love, and the enduring impact of family. His ability to connect so deeply with his audience, both through his music and his personal stories, is a testament to his authenticity as an artist.
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Stephen Wilson Jr. Set List
Calico Creek
Billy
Cuckoo
Not Letting Go
Twisted
Clark Gable (The Postal Service cover)
The Devil
Patches
Grief is Only Love (with Bre Kennedy)
Father's Son (Solo)
Kid
Year to Be Young 1994 (Contained Nirvana teases)
Something in the Way (Nirvana cover)
Hometown
Holler From the Holler
Encore:
I'm A Song (New Song)
Gary (New Song, Solo into Full Band)
The Beginning
