In Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan, already a basketball star, overcame flu-like symptoms to lead the Chicago Bulls to a crucial victory over the Utah Jazz. This match cemented his legend in this city and became known as: His “Flu Game”.
On Monday night, Jonah Kagen told a packed Beat Kitchen that this was the flu game. He said the indie folk musician spent the day suffering from food poisoning and would need help from the audience. But like Jordan, Kagen's flu game only showed Chicago a performer at the top of his game, and a performer on the rise.
Indie folk musician Vincent Lima opened the show with a collection of slow, emotional songs that might have sombered the mood if Lima's stage presence wasn't so magnetic . The set could have been a song or two shorter, but between his diary-like lyrics, incredible vocal control, and between-song banter, Lima kept the energy up and the heart at bay. It proved to be the perfect opener that touched a chord.
Standout songs from Lima's set included “The Man by the Coast,” “Somewhere,” and his closer “In The Cold.” Two songs about his sadness, “Orpheus” and “Eurydice”, were also highlights. The seamless transition between the two felt like a Greek mythology fan's interpretation of the Beatles' transition from “Golden Slumber” to “Carry That Weight.” Although the instrumental of Lima's piano and acoustic guitar was simple, she showed off her even and powerful singing voice.
Opening act Vincent Lima played most of the songs on the keyboard, including the most popular song, “Orpheus.”
Even though he was ill, Kagon was clearly suited for the stage. He interacted with fan signs before starting his first song, making the audience feel as if they were talking to him in their living room. Kagen gave the live version of the song a different personality than the original by adding jazz influences and mixing up the pace.
Kagen used two 6-string acoustic guitars, a 12-string guitar, an electric guitar, and a loop pedal, sometimes looping multiple instruments during a song.
“Pedals are great because I can't afford a band,” he joked.
However, making the best of a less than ideal situation only once again demonstrated Kagen's mastery of the craft. With a clear knowledge and appreciation for the guitar, the instrumental moments on songs like “Graveyard Shift” and “18” shined as brightly as the raw, textured voices and emotional lyrics.
Kagen has released two EPs and several singles since entering the music scene in 2020 with “broken,” but he added this song to his setlist late because it resonates so intuitively. told the audience. His debut album is “about 80% complete,” he said, and he played five unreleased songs from the 12-song set.
“I'm really enjoying playing the new songs on this tour because I feel like they're in really good hands,” he said.
Among the standouts were “Matches'' and “God Needs the Devil,'' which will be released on May 3rd. The lyrics of the former include, “Maybe one more cigarette won't burn my lungs to ashes / But all I need is a match and the gas to burn down the city,'' and the bluesy feel of the latter. There were cheers and voices of “awesome''. ” he said through the crowd.
The final song, “The Roads,” went viral online in 2023, garnering over 18 million streams on Spotify. Kagen took Rima out to perform. Their stage presence was shocking and had the entire audience singing along.
With his charisma, instrumental skills, and great voice, one can only imagine what Kagen could do with a bigger venue, a full band, and hopefully no food poisoning.
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