5 Reasons Faye Webster's Sold-Out Salt Shed Show Was The Definitive Moment Of Her 2024 Tour
Faye Webster's two-night residency at The Salt Shed in Chicago in March 2024 was not just another stop on her global tour; it was a defining, sold-out moment that cemented her status as one of indie music's most unique and compelling voices. The performances, which took place on March 11 and 12, 2024, served as a stunning showcase for her critically acclaimed 2024 album, Underdressed at the Symphony, delivering a blend of wistful melancholy and surprising musical complexity that captivated the Chicago audience.
The shows perfectly encapsulated the artist's signature blend of alt-country, R&B, and soft-rock influences, transforming the historic industrial venue into a dreamy, intimate space. From the custom lighting design to the specific song arrangements, every detail of the Salt Shed experience was tailored to highlight Webster’s artistic evolution, making it a must-see event for fans of contemporary singer-songwriters.
Faye Webster: A Comprehensive Profile and Biography
Faye Webster is an American singer-songwriter and musician born on June 25, 1997, in Atlanta, Georgia. Raised in a musical family—her grandfather was a bluegrass musician, and her mother was a fiddle player—Webster was immersed in music from a young age, beginning to write her own songs by the age of fourteen. She released her debut album, Run and Tell, independently in 2013 at just 16 years old.
Her sound is famously eclectic, drawing critical comparisons for its unique fusion of genres. Key musical components include the laid-back, emotionally resonant delivery of R&B, the storytelling sincerity of folk and Americana, and the instrumental textures of indie pop and alt-country. Her work is often characterized by a dreamy, melancholic atmosphere, anchored by her soft, distinctive vocals and the prominent use of the pedal steel guitar, played by her touring band member, Matthew Stoessel. After a brief period studying photography in college, she returned to music full-time, releasing her breakout self-titled album in 2017, followed by Atlanta Millionaires Club (2019) and I Know I’m Funny haha (2021), before the release of her latest work, Underdressed at the Symphony, in 2024. Webster is also an accomplished photographer, having worked with fellow Atlanta artists, notably from the hip-hop scene, demonstrating her deep roots in the city's diverse creative community.
The Salt Shed Experience: Atmosphere, Venue, and Mei Ehara's Opening Act
The choice of The Salt Shed as the venue was instrumental in creating the unique atmosphere of the Chicago shows. Located in the West Town neighborhood, The Salt Shed is one of Chicago’s newest and most celebrated concert venues, situated on the former site of a Morton Salt storage facility at 1357 N Elston Ave. The indoor space, known as "The Shed," has a capacity of approximately 3,000 to 3,800 standing patrons, offering a large-scale, yet surprisingly intimate, environment that retains its industrial, high-ceilinged character.
The venue's architecture—with its exposed beams and cavernous structure—provided a stunning backdrop for Webster's performance. The production team utilized "blue hues" and custom lighting to enhance the dreamy, moody quality of her music. Adding to the distinctive visual elements, the show was noted for incorporating playful, almost surreal stage props, including "bubbles" floating over the crowd and even a nod to the Minions franchise, a surprising contrast to the melancholy of her lyrics. This juxtaposition of sadness and whimsy is a hallmark of Webster's live shows.
The evening was set up perfectly by the opening act, mei ehara. The Japanese-Australian singer-songwriter, who also joined Webster on other parts of the tour, provided a gentle, ethereal warm-up, complementing Webster's indie sensibilities and setting a calm, focused tone for the main event.
The Orchestral Sound and Definitive 2024 Setlist
The most critically lauded aspect of the Salt Shed performances was the enhanced musicality, particularly the inclusion of a string quartet. This "live orchestra" element added a lush, cinematic depth to songs from Underdressed at the Symphony and her back catalog, elevating the emotional weight of the material. The touring band—featuring key members like Noor Khan on bass and the aforementioned Matthew Stoessel on pedal steel—executed the complex arrangements flawlessly, ensuring the live sound was both expansive and meticulously controlled.
The setlist for the two sold-out nights was a masterful blend of new material and fan favorites, perfectly illustrating the evolution of her sound. The new album, which explores themes of boredom, self-reflection, and the quiet moments of life (like being underdressed at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, which inspired the title), was heavily featured. Key tracks included the album’s lead single, "But Not Kiss," and the introspective "Wanna Quit All the Time."
Highlights of the Salt Shed Setlist Included:
- "But Not Kiss": A perfect example of her R&B-infused indie pop, showcasing her vocal control and the band's dynamic range.
- "Kingston": A fan-favorite from Atlanta Millionaires Club, the song’s signature jazz-inflected melody and relatable lyrics about a relationship were given new life with the string arrangements.
- "Jonny": One of her most emotionally raw tracks, which benefited immensely from the added texture of the string section, creating a moment of profound melancholy.
- "Right Side of My Neck" and "Thinking About You": These tracks from her earlier work demonstrated the consistency of her lyrical themes while highlighting the growth in her musical arrangement capabilities.
- "Better Distractions": A standout track that showcases the interplay between her guitar work and the pedal steel.
- "He Loves Me Yeah!": Often used as a powerful main set closer, this track provided a moment of upbeat energy and resolution.
The Chicago shows were a definitive statement from Faye Webster. They proved that her quiet, introspective music can fill a large-capacity venue like The Salt Shed, not through spectacle, but through sheer emotional depth and sophisticated musical arrangements. The blending of her indie folk roots with orchestral elements and her unique Atlanta R&B influences created a truly memorable experience that will be remembered as one of the best concerts of the 2024 touring season.
Topical Entities and LSI Keywords
Faye Webster, The Salt Shed, Chicago, West Town, Morton Salt, Underdressed at the Symphony, Atlanta Millionaires Club, I Know I’m Funny haha, mei ehara, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, indie pop, alt-country, R&B, soft rock, folk music, Americana, pedal steel guitar, string quartet, Noor Khan (bass), Matthew Stoessel (guitar), Nick (band member), "But Not Kiss," "Kingston," "Jonny," "Better Distractions," "He Loves Me Yeah!", 2024 Tour, Sold-Out Shows, Concert Review.
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