Chicago Gets Loud: Rhea Raj & The Commotion Tour’s Epic Opening Night

Chicago, you sure know how to kick things off in style. The Commotion Tour’s opening night wasn’t just a concert; it was a full-blown party with no off switch. The moment you stepped into The Beat Kitchen, you could feel the anticipation buzzing harder than your phone on a group chat meltdown. People weren’t just excited, they were ready to lose their voices, ruin their sneakers, and make some questionable dance choices they’d probably regret in the morning. The energy was so contagious, even the bartenders looked like they wanted to ditch their posts and join the chaos. Rhea Raj’s debut headline tour had the crowd hyped before a single note was even played, and honestly, the vibe was so good, it felt like we’d already hit the encore.

All Photos By: Aaron R. Shriver Photography

Built in 1889, The Beat Kitchen isn’t just a venue, it’s a vibe. This little gem in Chicago’s Roscoe Village has the kind of charm that only a place with a weirdly specific backstory can pull off. Fun fact: it used to be a butcher shop. Now, instead of steaks, since 1990 it’s been serving up sizzling live music, and honestly, it feels like the building itself is in on the fun. You walk in, and it’s got that perfect mix of grungy and cozy, like the kind of place where you could either see a killer band or end up in a random debate about the best pizza toppings. With a capacity of just 275, it’s an intimate venue.

The crowd was pumped before the lights even dimmed. There’s something about being squished together with a bunch of strangers that turns everyone into instant BFFs. People were chatting, laughing, and aggressively staking out their perfect spot by the stage, like this was their personal Coachella. Between the energy of the crowd and the sheer personality of the place, it felt like one of those rare nights where everything just clicks. Even the old exposed brick walls seemed to be holding their breath, waiting for the music to hit.

Look, when an 18-year-old walks on stage and makes a packed room move like it’s a choreographed flash mob, you know you’re in for something wild. Slush Puppy, aka Sam Catalano, turned The Beat Kitchen into his personal dance floor with a set so electric it probably powered half of Roscoe Village. His tracks "EAT SPIT!", "I Hate U <3", and "WHORE" weren’t just songs; they were full-body experiences. People were throwing out dance moves they probably hadn’t used since middle school, and honestly, it was a vibe.

Click The Image For The Full Slush Puppy Photo Gallery

Slush Puppy’s energy was downright contagious. He had the crowd hyped from the first drop to the last beat, and you could feel the bass rattling your bones, probably rearranging a few organs while it was at it. The dude didn’t just press play and vibe; he worked the crowd like a pro, balancing chaotic beats with smooth transitions that kept everyone hooked. By the end of his set, nobody was ready to stop dancing, and honestly, I think I burned enough calories to skip the gym for a week.

Rhea Raj didn’t just step on stage; she owned it like she signed the deed five minutes before showtime. Decked out in a look that screamed “don’t mess with me,” she launched into "Commotion" with two backup dancers who clearly came to play. Their moves were so sharp you could’ve cut the tension in the room with them, if there had been any tension left after that opener. The crowd was eating up every beat, and Rhea knew it. She strutted, spun, and served vocals so effortlessly that it was almost rude. Songs like "Messy" and "Outside" turned the place into a giant karaoke session, while tracks like "Haute Couture" had everyone out there living their best main-character energy.

“This year has been one of the most transformative and challenging years for me personally. Learning about heartbreak and love and what it means to turn pain into power.”

And let’s talk about those unreleased tracks, "Heartless" and "Lucky", which caused a level of hype usually reserved for free drinks or finding money in your pocket. Can Commotion Extended just get released already? By the time "Killer" rolled around, the crowd was so into it, I half expected someone to start a petition to make Rhea the mayor of Chicago. It was a moment, plain and simple.

Rhea Raj’s setlist was a rollercoaster of pure energy and feelings, and the crowd was buckled in tight. She hit us with everything from bangers like "Devil In A Dress" and "Hunter" to fan favorites like "Now That Ur Gone," each track landing like it was custom-made to set the room on fire. Let’s just say, the crowd lost it. Like, “scream-so-loud-your-Apple-Watch-thinks-you’re-having-a-heart-attack” lost it.

Then, of course, there was the moment everyone didn’t know they needed until it happened, Slush Puppy popping back on stage for a remix of "Haute Couture." It was pure chaos in the best way, with everyone bouncing like they were auditioning for a fitness commercial. If someone didn’t walk out of there drenched in sweat and grinning from ear to ear, then they were at the wrong show. Each song felt like it came with its own mic-drop moment, and the audience ate it all up like they hadn’t been fed in days.

Honestly, this show was the kind of night that makes you question why you don’t go to more concerts. Rhea Raj didn’t just perform; she gave us a masterclass in how to absolutely own a stage. The energy in The Beat Kitchen wasn’t just high, it was straight-up unhinged in the best way possible. Between the jaw-dropping vocals, next-level choreography, and her ability to whip the crowd into a frenzy, it was impossible not to get swept up in the chaos.

Click The Image For The Full Rhea Raj Photo Gallery

And let’s not forget Slush Puppy’s wild opener and that unexpected encore remix; those moments alone were worth the price of admission. By the end of the night, it felt like everyone in the room had gone through some sort of group therapy via the dance floor. If you weren’t drenched in sweat and smiling like you just found out your favorite artist dropped a surprise album, did you even go to this concert?

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Rhea Raj Set-List:

Commotion

MESSY

Outside

Haute Couture

HUSH

DIGITAL BABE

Mumbai

Devil In A Dress

PRAY ON IT

HUNTER

Now That Ur Gone

Heartless (Unreleased)

Lucky (Unreleased)

Killer

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Haute Couture - Slush Puppy Remix (with Slush Puppy)