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ThxSoMch Brings the Sound of You Laughing to Chicago
- Mariana Servin
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
Carter De Filippis, who is known as ThxSoMch is a Canadian singer and songwriter. He is known for fusing elements of post-punk, emo, alternative indie-rock, and experimental sounds throughout his discography.
ThxSoMch began his music career in September 2022. Shortly after, he released “SPIT IN MY FACE!” which would instantly become a viral hit and success. Over the past two years, ThxSoMch has gained more than 5 million monthly Spotify listeners and delivered multiple viral hits, with “SPIT IN MY FACE!” continuing to stand out as his breakout success.
ThxSoMch released his debut album, The Sound of You Laughing, on August 29, 2025, and kicked off his world tour for it earlier this fall. However, it wasn’t until November 5th that he finally brought the show to Chicago, taking over Reggies. This marked his third time performing in the city, once again, he delivered an astounding set. Let’s just say, it’s never a bad dream when ThxSoMch performs so let's talk about what went down at Reggies and the sound of you laughing.
ThxSoMch at Reggies:
I've got to give credit where credit is due: my younger brother, Erik Servin, has been a ThxSoMch fan since long before the release of his first EP, Sleeze. I remember coming home one lovely afternoon and my brother immediately greeted me with “Dude, sister, can you take me to a concert happening tonight?! Actually, can you come with me?! It’s in Wicker Park”. So me being the awesome sister that I am, I said we could go because my brother had the biggest grin on his face and this was the first time he had ever expressed that he really wanted to see a favorite artist. The only things I remember asking were “who are we seeing?” and “where is this concert happening?”. So when my brother and I watched ThxSoMch perform at the Subterranean on September 21st, 2023, I remember feeling the room ignite. The energy didn’t just surround us, it filled the venue, lifted it, and floated through the air like something electric and unreal.
Walking through the doors of Reggies, I felt that familiar rush. I was excited! ThxSoMch was back in Chicago and I was ready to see him perform again. The moment I stepped into the music hall, it was clear that he’d draw an even bigger post-punk/alternative Chicago crowd this time. Looking around, I could also tell the crowd was just as excited about seeing him perform. I overheard people trading stories about what songs made them fans, about seeing him on past stops, mentioned that this was his third Chicago show, while others said The Sound of You Laughing was the album that made them fans, so this was their first time seeing him live.
While waiting for him to step out on stage and soaking in the crowd’s anticipation, I couldn’t help wondering how this show was going to go. His 2023 performance had been insane so part of me was curious to see how he was going to top it.
When the lights finally cut out, the crowd erupted in screams and pushed forward. The opening instrumentals of “When The Devil Speaks” rumbled through the room, and the second ThxSoMch stepped onto the stage, the energy snapped into place. Instantly, the whole venue came alive. People were bopping their heads, shouting the lyrics, jumping in sync, letting the music control them and feeding off the chaos in the best way possible.
ThxSoMch has grown so much since the last time I saw him live. His vocals were incredible! They were clean, powerful, and nearly identical to the studio versions. And his setlist? Absolutely. Killer. The way he arranged the songs perfectly highlighted the way he blends post-punk, emo, alternative rock, and experimental elements into his sound
He was overflowing with energy, and you could physically feel how the crowd fed it right back to him, pushing him to deliver one of his best Chicago performances yet. Every track he performed felt charged with raw emotion. The lightning, the instrumentals, the most pits, the atmosphere, everything worked together to elevate the show even more.
Here's his Chicago 2025 setlist so you don't get fomo. I have a feeling you're curious:
My favorite moment of the night was when he played “Keep It To Yourself” and “Hate” back to back. “Keep It To Yourself" is one of my favorites from the sound of you laughing. It dives into emotional suppression and the struggle of coping with dark internal thoughts. Then he launched straight into“Hate”, the perfect “I’m so done with you” anthem from his sleeze EP.
The transition between the two felt intentional, almost like they were having a conversation: going from “just state your mental health or keep it to yourself” to “one day you know it’s wrong, the next is clear. It’s getting really hard to hear that bull****.” It was the perfect emotional shift, and hearing them back-to-back made both songs hit even harder.
When ThxSoMch comes back to Chicago, I highly recommend that you attend his show. He is incredibly charismatic, talented, and genuinely cares about his fans, which created a strong sense of community. Throughout his show, he was constantly checking in on the crowd and even helping people recover things they lost during the moshes. On top of that, his stage presence is unreal. The energy, the emotion, the vocals, everything just hits. Watching him perform isn’t just fun; it’s an experience worth witnessing live.
My Brother Erik and ThxSoMch
When my brother and I first went to see ThxSoMch, we waited outside the Subterranean because my brother was on a mission to get his autograph. We were so close, just a few people away, when ThxSoMch suddenly took off running. We had no idea why he took off running, but the second my brother started chasing him, I took off after my brother.. Spoiler alert: Erik was unsuccessful with getting his autograph because he lost him. I told my brother not to worry and that we’d eventually get that autograph. Although to be honest, I wasn’t so sure…I was mainly just trying to cheer up my brother.
HOWEVER, CAN I GET A DRUMROLL PLEASE?
TWO YEARS LATER, 776 DAYS LATER, WE MET HIM THIS YEAR. NOVEMBER 5TH 2025
My brother finally got to meet ThxSoMch and was able to get his autograph this time around. He thought it would be funny to have ThxSoMch and his band sign a one-dollar bill, since in "Unhinged" (a track from the sound of you laughing), ThxSoMch sings, "What would you do for a dollar?
He has the one-dollar bill framed and hanging up in his room. It is a reminder that he completed his original mission 776 days later. He also said that he plans on starting a new tradition and having bands sign one-dollar bills in honor of doing that with ThxSoMch. The Sound of You Laughing has been on repeat.
More Photos of ThxSoMch Performing at Reggies:
A big thank you to ThxSoMch, United Talent, Reggies, and the best college radio organization, UIC RADIO! It's always an honor getting to take pictures of artist during their concerts, and I am always grateful that I get to represent UIC Radio during these shows.
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