Indie pop band Sub-Radio captivated audiences on the last stop of “The Sunrise City Tour” in Chicago, bringing infectious joy to a sleepy Sunday night in February, a true testament to their stage presence and music.
Stream: “I’M IN LOVE!!” – Sub-Radio
Sub-Radio is no stranger to the music industry.
With almost a decade of experience, the Washington, D.C. natives are a joyous thrill to see live.
In late 2024, they announced “The Sunrise City Tour” across parts of the UK and the US. The band released an EP titled I’M IN LOVE!! in January 2025 just before the tour began, sharing that their new album would be out in the spring.
The final tour stop was in Chicago at Bottom Lounge, a locally owned venue in the city’s West Loop neighborhood. Despite being a foggy Sunday evening, the venue was packed with fans in bright colors and platform shoes. Tucked in a corner with my camera equipment, I was approached by someone in pastels with a VIP lanyard who asked if they could “glitter me” – spray my all-black outfit in glitter.
But that’s a Sub-Radio show: Fun, charismatic, and inclusive. From the fans rocking at the barricade to quiet listeners at the sound booth, the entire venue was engrossed in the performance. (Obviously, I said yes to getting “glittered.”)
Nashville-based DOUBLECAMP opened for Sub-Radio, energizing the crowd. Their electric, catchy choruses and guitar riffs had the audience rushing to the barricade. Toward the end of their set, they brought out Adam Bradley, lead singer of Sub-Radio, for a Chappell Roan cover. DOUBLECAMP shared they will do a headline tour later this year.
Shortly after, Sub-Radio took the stage under pink and lavender lights. Behind them, a decorative banner displayed the tour’s name, “Sunrise City,” above a drawing of the Chicago skyline.
The group opened with “Pink Lemonade” from their new EP. Despite being released just over a month ago, the entire crowd knew the words. Bradley wore a pair of heart-shaped sunglasses as he danced on stage, reaching to fans in the barricade while riffing with guitarists Kyle Cochran and Matt Prodanovich.
Sub-Radio’s discography is both thrilling and comforting; each song features a danceable beat and a memorable chorus. Between songs, the band engaged with the crowd through small quips and inspiring speeches from the heart.
Lead singer Adam Bradley openly spoke about his experience as a queer man in America after playing “Onto Me,” an upbeat anthem about having a crush. He discussed his bisexual identity in the spotlight over such a long career, inspiring and empathizing with many audience members.
During “King of My Heart,” Bradley welcomed the crowd to the “gay part of the show,” earning energetic applause. Sub-Radio hails from Washington, D.C., and many of their peers, family members, and fans have asked how they – as a largely queer group – can help in a time when freedom of speech, expression, and identity are increasingly repressed for the queer community.
The band dedicated “Cool” to trans youth, emphasizing that their shows are a safe space. As part of a fan project to “turn the venue blue,” the audience held blue pieces of paper against their phone flashlights, illuminating the room in baby blue. Although it was not explicitly stated, the blue was akin to the shade on the trans flag.
Although they touched on heavy topics at times, Sub-Radio ensured a positive, optimistic energy never left the room. They covered “Buddy Holly” by Weezer before playing unreleased songs from their upcoming album.
“Heaven Heaven Heaven,” one of the unreleased tracks, captivated the crowd. Despite not knowing the words, the audience was deeply moved by the track, which the band described as the “best they’ve written.”
Sub-Radio’s self-described motto is to “wallow in nostalgia.” Their new album lives up to that description.
After playing the fan-favorite “Caroline,” they typically leave the stage before the encore as many other musicians do. While they followed this routine at other shows, the band knew the crowd’s energy was at a high. Given it was the last show of the tour, they stayed on stage.
Sub-Radio transitioned into “Flashback,” followed by their most-streamed song, “1990something,” before saying goodnight to fans and closing out “The Sunrise City Tour.”
Sub-Radio’s connection with their fans is evident in their lyrics and stage presence.
Their close relationship with audience members – whether casual listeners or diehard fans—is incredibly meaningful. While they can capture a room with bright visuals and infectious synth-driven melodies, the heart of their show lies within the band members themselves.
Keep up to date with Sub-Radio here.
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Stream: “I’M IN LOVE!!” – Sub-Radio
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© Annaliese Baker
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