Roaring Through 30 Years of Where You Been: Dinosaur Jr. Ignites Salt Shed Chicago
By Colette Custin Bevard
One of the most enduring ‘90s bands who continues to prove their place in the alt-rock landscape, Dinosaur Jr. brought their wall of sound and distortion to the Salt Shed this week, tearing through a set that leaned into singles (“Feel the Pain,” “Start Choppin”), deep cuts, and even covers. Humble frontman J. Mascis commented to the nearly sold-out crowd, “thank you for showing up and filling up this absolutely fucking huge space.”
An extra treat was having Sebadoh’s Lou Barlow on bass - a indie-rock stalwart on his own terms and even more captivating as the accompaniment to Mascis’s understated presence. The three piece rose to meet their reputation as a shockingly loud outfit, and their takes on The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven” and The Stooges’ “TV Eye” were a fitting end to the night.
Indie-rock goddess Lindsey Jordan — Snail Mail to the music world — opened the night with a stellar set of tunes making the most of her captivating lyrics and larger-than-life melodies, with “Pristine” and the soaring “Valentine” as highlights. Jordan’s sound continues to evolve with each album, and Snail Mail’s return to Chicago was roundly welcomed by the capacity crowd at the Shed.
7/29/25, Salt Shed Chicago
