On January 23rd and 24th, Chicago’s music hotspot, the Concord Music Hall through an unforgettable two-night run featuring the infamous jam-tronic duo, BoomBox, with funkman Mikey Thunder as opener.
From the moment the pair graced the stage, Russ Randolph and Zion Rock Godchaux (aka BoomBox) captivated the crowd with each note. Audience members embraced and exhaled shouts of praise to welcome the two rockers.
A number of characteristics set BoomBox apart from the rest. They are incredibly versatile musicians—not just dipping their toes, but diving completely into all avenues of music production: raging the axe, playing the drums, singing, songwriting, DJing and much, much more. Both of Godchaux’s parents are former members of The Grateful Dead—a significant musical influence that was absolutely felt throughout the entire venue. However, throughout their years, BoomBox has established their own unique sound—a quilt of vintage psychedelic rock, electronica, blues-funk, and house.
Randolph’s drumming paired with Godchaux’s guitar and vocal work perfectly matched the electrifying vibes given off by the audience. No surprise there, as BoomBox is notorious for their improvisational flair—using the crowd’s energy as a compass for their performance.
In addition to their undeniable talent and energy, BoomBox brings playful charm and style to each performance. With Randolph donning his signature top hat, and Godchaux rocking a furry hat and a boa to match, the pair is very distinctive.
The dynamic duo performed hits off their recently released album, Filling in the Color, including the song “Lost Ya”—a song that takes you on a psychedelic trip back to a circa 70’s dance floor. Their hypnotic, hip-swaying rhythms had crowd members boogying in unison, yet still to the beat of their own inner grooves.
BoomBox did not just treat their performances as a presentation of sound—they were shared experiences with each and every crowd member—dancing and a pure love for the music. The two-night performance, presented by Silver Wrapper, brought together a crowd of all ages, who exuded nothing but love and mutual appreciation for the duo’s musical talent.