Just under a month after the release of her debut album, Sarah Kinsley embarked on the Escaper Tour, titled appropriately after the album, and marking the artists second ever headlining tour. 

Kinsley rose to popularity during the height of the pandemic in 2021, when a piano line she wrote for a track titled “The King” went viral on TikTok. Since then she has had another viral hit with “Starling,” and even performed at Chicago’s very own Lollapalooza in 2023. The Chicago stop of the Escaper Tour landed at Thalia Hall, a historical venue that manages to have a sense of grandeur while being small enough to give fans an intimate experience with the artists playing. 

Kinsley opened the concert in full force with “Lovegod” off her 2023 EP, Ascension. A pleading love song backed up by an incredible piano line, which has become somewhat of her signature since “The King.” The set was filled with songs from every era - including fan favorite “The Giver”, a single from 2022 that exists as its own body of work - but primarily populated with tracks from Escaper. Sarah also allowed fans to be involved in the decision making. After playing “Cypress,” the title track off the 2022 EP, Kinsley delved a bit into the lore around the project and discussions of fate. Accordingly, she and the band were going to let fans decide the fate of the next song on the set! The fans ultimately picking “Hills of Fire.”

Just after her surprise cover of “Dreams” by The Cranberries, Kinsley lamented that she had been recovering from illness, and while you were unable to hear strain during her incredible vocals, it was clear that her speaking voice was completely out of commission. She ultimately had to make the decision to cut three songs from the set and jump to the encore. Continuously apologizing, Chicago assured her that the show she gave the city was incredible.

I can attest she ended the show on a high note. Starting the encore with the aforementioned hit “The King.” and closing out the show with “Oh No Darling!” in which she enlisted the enthusiastic crowd for a call and response. Needless to say, Sarah Kinsley did not disappoint. Though ultimately, she had to make the tough call to cancel the next show date, but assured fans she will be back as soon as possible. An artist is their own worst critic, and while she expressed she felt she didn’t give the best show, she sounded as clean as ever with her ethereal high notes and rich low tones. I, as well as many other Chicago fans, cannot wait to see her back in Chicago at full force.

Article and Photo Gallery by Mollie Menuck