I always thought I was a bit of a freak. Then I went to a Will Wood concert. And to be clear, I mean “freak” in the best possible way: the kind of person who defies the dull standards of a buttoned-up society. Bold fashion, wild energy, a love for the strange and spectacular corners of art, and most importantly, unfiltered passion. On June 17th at Concord Music Hall, Chicago’s freaks came out in full force to celebrate Will Wood and the Tapeworms. Marking ten years since the release of their debut, Everything is a Lot, this was no ordinary show. It was a riotous lovefest overflowing with sharp humor, genre-bending music, and a crowd bound together by their shared devotion to Wood’s beautifully unhinged world.
I was introduced to Will Wood by a coworker who practically has his music on loop over the office speakers. At first, it was the playful chaos that hooked me; something about it screamed Mr. Bungle. But what really pulled me in was my coworker’s encyclopedic obsession with all things Will Wood, from deep cuts to weird lore. Intrigued, I decided to see the spectacle for myself. As I approached the venue in the sweltering Chicago summer heat, I was immediately struck by the parade of eccentric outfits snaking around multiple blocks. It was clear: this wasn’t just a concert, it was a full-blown subculture.
And while I came in as a curious fan, I quickly realized I’d barely scratched the surface of Will Wood’s world.
Before the crowd could dive into a decade of Will Wood chaos, the night kicked off with a surprisingly mellow spark: the English duo Ruen Brothers. Their smooth, folksy sound snaked through the packed, overheated walls of Concord Music Hall, offering a moment of calm before the storm. The crowd welcomed them with open arms, singing along, clapping to the rhythm, swaying in sync like a single organism. The sweat was already flowing, but Ruen Brothers turned the simmer into a boil. The room was primed. It was time for Will Wood to blow the roof off.
He stepped onstage alone, just him, his blazer, and his piano, and launched into “Sex, Drugs, Rock ‘n’ Roll.” The performance was raw and electrifying, with Wood pouring himself into every note. But the real explosion came from the crowd, who screamed the chorus like it was gospel. The walls shook. It felt less like a song and more like a shared ritual. Then, as the Tapeworms joined him onstage, the energy catapulted into overdrive with the multi-part madness of “Suburbia Overture / Greetings from Mary Bell Township! / (Vampire) Culture / Love Me, Normally.” The floor literally bounced beneath us, dangerously, deliriously alive. But in the middle of all that raucous excitement, who cared if it did?
The music of Will Wood is undeniably amusing, and I was glad to see that his stage presence carries that same charm.
His banter was full of quick-witted sarcasm and thoughtful insight, as he shared stories behind his songs and playfully brushed off fan praise (much to the crowd’s dismay, especially when they clapped loudly for him). Tracks like “The Main Character” and “Skeleton Appreciation Day in Vestal, NY (Bones)” were paired with personal anecdotes about what they meant to him. The audience hung on his every word, always ready to laugh or cheer. He wears his confidence on his sleeve, right alongside his passion for the music, even when he sings about hating it. And his fans? They see him for exactly who he is and love him all the more for it.
As much as the spotlight was on Will, it was equally great to see the Tapeworms get their due. Every band member played with full-on spirit. The bassist, in particular, constantly engaged with the crowd, jumping around so much he looked like a rabbit that had somehow turned human. And at one point, the saxophone player even jumped into the audience mid-set to party with fans. It was pure, joyful chaos.
As incredible as it was to see the crowd going wild and screaming every lyric like they’d written them. I couldn’t help but feel a little out of the loop.
And that’s not a complaint; it’s one of the highest compliments I can give. I’ve been to a ridiculous number of shows, and this might be the most devoted fanbase I’ve ever encountered. There was a fiery passion in the room, especially during the emotionally charged “White Noise.” It was a beautiful, sweaty moment where artist and audience became one, singing in unison, sharing something real.
Will closed the night with “6up 5oh Cop-Out (Pro/Con)” and “Dr. Sunshine Is Dead,” ending things with a dramatic, explosive flourish that metaphorically tore the stage to pieces. I had an amazing time, and honestly, being surrounded by fans that dedicated made it even better. Their energy was contagious. Even if I didn’t catch every reference or know every lyric, I still felt like I witnessed something truly special.
All photography by Oscar De Leon
