The Rain Brings Fear: Knocked Loose, Denzel Curry at Salt Shed (9/30/2026)

(Photos / Edward Riseman)

November 1st, 2024 was my first hardcore concert. My memory is hazy, but I remember going with my cousin to the Aragon Ballroom that night very excited. The headliner was Knocked Loose for their You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To tour. Militarie Gun, Danny Brown, and Drain opened. It was everything I’ve experienced in a concert wrapped up and catapulted straight back into my face, but obviously this isn’t the concert I’m covering in this blog. Before that, and admittedly still after that experience, I still didn’t quite get what hardcore was about. I had a great time. I experienced fear, confusion, and amazement, but I did not have the anecdotal and sociological knowledge I do today. That has continued to grow with me in time as I navigate the Chicago DIY scene.

Everything I took from the experiences in the scene weighed heavy on me on the CTA ride to Salt Shed. Throughout the day, I felt myself rise and fall with excitement and dread. This is not what I thought was going to happen at any point of my life, especially being notified the day before the show. This was my first photo gig! I didn’t even ask for a photo pass specifically! I kept asking myself and friends of mine “What am I going to do?!” when in reality, I knew what I had to do. I had to get up there, take photos, and write! I felt stuck between the reality of the opportunity I had and the disconnection that I was the one who had it. I was desperately fighting to pull myself back into what I had and what I needed to do, and before I knew it – I was at Division and Cherry.

I had a red UIC-branded poncho (courtesy of the bookstore trip I made last minute) wrapped around me while I advanced towards the line. There weren’t too many people to navigate through yet. The weather was cold; rain sprinkled incessantly on everyone around us. I eventually managed to get my photo pass sticker and fumbled through the security checkpoint to talk to someone about where I’d have to go. This wonderful person – her name was Hayley – she helped me in the right direction and I briefed her about the rules I was given for photos. I told her that this was my first time doing something like this and she was very supportive. It was a definite push I needed to move forward.

Before heading to the stage, I got a zip up hoodie (my favorite one I own now) from the merch area and traversed the wet concrete. I saw a friend I’ve seen a few times around, Eduardo, who’s a very talented photographer himself. It was a relief having at least one person you’re comfortable talking with being around to psyche you up a little.

It felt like it was only five minutes or so before Boundaries took the stage. I’ve heard their new album Yearning: The Unbeautiful After a couple of times and enjoyed it, but I did not expect it to translate as amazing live as it did. The vocalist, Matt McDougal, sounded identical to the record live. He is probably one of the most impressive vocalists I’ve heard live and can transition so seamlessly into screaming. Instrumentally, they were just as impactful as putting the album on full blast. The riffs were absolutely ripping the place apart. I wanted to write a pun regarding my favorite song off their new record, which is “Torn wide open”, but I couldn’t fit it in; you can know that I at least thought about it!

Superheaven – who was up next – was a band I’ve listened to a little before. Their album Jar was something I’ve listened to over a couple of times, especially their song “Sponge”. It was definitely different from everyone else playing, but I love mixed bills so much. The more variety the merrier. The sun started to set significantly during their set; the lighting on stage slowly was overpowered by the dark of the sky. The colors of the lights were more prominent and illuminated the band’s clothes, instruments, and faces. It was weird to think how heavy a shoegazey grunge band could sound in some moments of their set.

Then Denzel Curry was up next. As everything was getting set up, two identical grim reaper inflatables – which had to be at least seven feet tall – blew up on either side of the stage. Unfortunately, I did not have time or the immediate resources to access a professional camera in such short notice. Thankfully, I was lent one (thank you Faye!) and it sat secured in my shoulder bag. However, its screen was broken, I was unsure how fast the battery would go, and I decided to keep it away and use my phone instead. I remembered that earlier in the evening Eduardo mentioned someone he knew in the photo pit. I was thinking “Thank God, I have a lifeline!” Five minutes before Denzel’s set, I quickly showed my sticker to security and walked up to the man, Tom, who matched Eduardo's description. Tom is also a great photographer, and he essentially reassured me that everything was going to be ok. Once Denzel came on stage, I was ready as I could be in that moment. I just needed to make sure I didn’t get in anyone’s way.

I never really listened to him at all before his set, which is important knowledge for later on. Long story short, he was INSANE. Non-stop energy, to-the-point crowd work, incredibly talented. Me during and after taking the photos was just constantly getting floored back-to-back every song. The flow and power in his voice is just crazy. I could only get so creative and flowery talking about this set because it was just so nuts. Then he did what I knew him most for, his Bulls on Parade cover. I was so happy to hear that live. I think we need every hardcore show to have a rap artist on the bill from here on out.

And then the final set of the night came. Knocked Loose – which is my favorite band! The show I fought tooth and nail to get for months – by that I mean trying to find a phone number or email that was still active. I was between the stage and the barricade with the other photographers and my eyes scanned across our surroundings. I looked behind me to see the people taking in the thin black curtain that veiled the set’s components. All of them looked so excited and I felt like I was looking at myself through them, if that makes any sense. Suddenly, I heard a droning noise and readied my phone camera. The curtain dropped to show a set similar to You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To’s cover – snaking trees, leaves, and moss framed the mic stands and drumkit. A large, yellow cross faded into a harsh glow. At this moment, I felt like I was out of bounds in a video game. It felt like I was not supposed to be here. Everything around me besides that cross vanished from my periphery and consciousness. Then everyone walked out one by one. I was about to clap and cheer, but I remembered I had to actually take photos and do my job. I think my face the entire time was the equivalent of “:0”. I could only imagine my stance with a phone in a sea of fancy cameras. Bryan (the vocalist) came out and put his foot on an amp, threw his hands up, and said “CHICAAAAAGOOO!” I really could not believe this was happening.

First they played Deep in the Willow. Top five tracks in my opinion off their whole discography. I was moving around the photo pit area trying to get the best shots I could, going from stage right to stage left. You can see all the best photos I took on an Instagram post I did here. Something that I did not expect, however, was to get nearly toasted by a jet of fire from the pyro. It was the feeling of being near one of those propane heaters at some restaurant's outdoor patio. Except that it was just a jet of fire. I would absolutely experience that again. Security had a wall of people in front of the pyro and crowd surfers cascading over the barricade to sandwich us into one linear area. The next thing I remember was during the breakdown of Don’t Reach For Me (starting with the lyric “No lies can spread from a tongue removed”) we were all ushered off and the pyro synced up with the kick drum and guitars.

I felt accomplished and almost relieved that I could go back into the crowd and participate more. I was absolutely belting the lyrics of every song that came on, throwing my fist out and pointing like in all those cool black-and-white hardcore show photos. If only I was X’d up…

They were just as good as the last time I saw them, if not better. I made sure I kept the setlist unknown to me before the show so I could be surprised, and was especially excited that they played “Where Light Divides the Holler”. A Tear In The Fabric of Life is my favorite release from them, and that’s one of the best opening tracks to a release I’ve heard. I was very grateful to be able to scream those lyrics live. Later in the set, during “Take Me Home”, a handful of people with hoods banged on drums during the ending portion of the song, which I first thought I made up in my head somehow in November. There were so many crowdsurfers at that show my head was only up for probably a third of that set. Everyone was pretty much flawless performance-wise. Pac (the drummer) continues to amaze me with how on-point he is.

There was a notable dedication Bryan made to Chicago bands like Weekend Nachos, The Killer, and Harms Way. It felt good to see that appreciation of Chicago hardcore and its local scene still strive wherever I tend to go to shows. From places as small as Casa to as big as Salt Shed, there is endless love to give from the community. The way the band expressed their grief for the people we’ve lost on such a vulnerable level was really powerful. The energy and the emotion in their set didn’t slow down for the entire show, even after a small disturbance after someone needed to get pulled out.

It felt like I was being stuffed into a sardine can as each song went on. Crowd surfers would occasionally roll over me, but there was such a saturation of people I think they didn’t fall too hard over the barricade when security hoisted them out. If I couldn’t move my head I would move my hand in tandem with one of the instruments somehow. I was afraid last time, but not anymore. The show's energy halted only when the screens of the stage flashed a parting graphic, but the night didn't end here.

I got a pretty good burger after the show at this little bar they had, along with a three-dollar root beer. It was one of the best burgers I’ve had in a while. I caught up with a talented friend of mine and made my way out to walk to my bus stop to see a couple people standing by a gate near the buses. I’ve waited outside for bands before; but few and far between. I asked “you guys waiting for people to come out?” and they said “Yeah, join us!" I knew I was probably gonna be there for a while. One of them I coincidentally met in May of last year waiting for Spiritbox to come out; the other guy I was not familiar with.

We chatted for a bit before Denzel Curry came out; maybe twenty minutes after I got there? Of course, the first thing that came out of my mouth was that I’ve only exhausted his “Bulls on Parade” cover, but he’s “f***ing nuts” live. That’s probably as articulate as I could’ve got at that moment. I basically said he should pull up to a local venue/hardcore show in Chicago because we’d love it, and we took a photo. Such a nice dude.

After that, Nicko (rhythm guitarist) came out eventually. I told him basically that Knocked Loose was my first hardcore band, favorite band, got me into the scene, thank you, something like that. He was very appreciative and kind and I got a photo with him as well. Then Isaac (lead guitarist) and Kevin (bassist) came out. I excitedly talked to them both and said something along the lines of Knocked Loose’s instrumentals being really emotionally evocative, how I loved XweaponX, and that I needed to listen to Inclination more. I had the idea spark in my head to borrow one of the guys’ markers so they could sign my little press journal, and they did! I did a small redraw of the Laugh Tracks album cover, their first album release that turned ten this year. They seemed to like it!

A little while later, Pac and Bryan came out. I don’t exactly remember most of what I said to Bryan, but I do remember a sort of mental checklist in my head on a timer. It was a weird feeling, as I didn’t want to keep anyone for too long but also articulate myself in a way that was coherent in expressing my thoughts. I said briefly that I got introduced to the Chicago DIY scene and found a social sphere I didn’t have before, but I am not sure if I elaborated further. I do remember saying that he’s very emotionally articulate lyrically and he said thank you to that. I got a photo with him as well, and he signed my journal too. It was around the time that if I missed a bus, the next one wouldn’t be around for another three hours, and I was worried I had stuck around a little too long. I waved bye to Pac and he had a very friendly expression, although I wish I talked with him too in hindsight. I thankfully caught the last bus back to my dorm, and excitedly called my friend Ryan to yap about the night for a bit on my way back.

And that was everything that happened, basically. One of the best shows I’ve ever been to; hands down. I saw, took photos, and met my favorite band, and caught up with old friends. Here’s to nights like these a million times more.