Mitch Rowland at Thalia Hall in Chicago, Illinois
by Caitlin Dennis | March 21st, 2024
Photo by Caitlin Dennis | @cait.dennis.photography
Mitchell Rowland is a Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who is nearing the end of his first-ever solo US tour. You may know him as a co-writer and guitarist for Harry Styles, though he has been writing music for the last decade. Mitch recently released his first solo album “Come June” consisting of 12 songs spanning 37 minutes of 70s-inspired blues and indie rock blends of music. In light of his album release Mitch, his wife Sarah, and his band headed out on tour across the US.
Light flurries fell from the sky as fans who had been waiting outside in the nipping cold for hours eagerly awaited to file into Thalia Hall in Chicago on Friday. A few fans lingered in the Punch House (a low-lit cozy bar in the basement of Thalia Hall, which features a fish tank centerpiece behind the bar) to avoid the cold as they awaited to make the trek upstairs to the hall floor (myself included).
Photo by Caitlin Dennis | @cait.dennis.photography
To the five people in the bar’s surprise, the man himself, Mitch Rowland, walks in to take a peek at the cozy hang-out. I was lucky enough to speak with Mitch for a moment before he had to make his way back upstairs. He was the one to approach us at the bar (I assume he noticed us all doing a double-take as he walked by). He is incredibly charming and kind. He said hello, introduced himself, and asked us if we were coming to the show. We shared pleasantries and he cracked a few jokes about the fish tank before telling us to enjoy the show before he headed back upstairs, clearly excited to get to perform for everyone in the coming hours. He made a wonderful impression and it is always refreshing when an artist has genuine care for their fans.
Fans began to fill the venue and excitement filled the air. Before everyone knew it, Harris Harper took the stage. She took her spot on her stool and immediately caught the audience's attention. Her brother CJ Harper joined her on stage playing the keys. They played a beautiful set that left people wanting more. With only two songs currently available to stream on Spotify, fans listened intently to her unreleased music and eclectic voice with great attentiveness. I am sure that alongside myself, many fans are eager to hear what she releases next.
Photo by Caitlin Dennis | @cait.dennis.photography
Despite the disappointment that Haris’s short set had ended, the excitement quickly picked back up and filled the air as people awaited Mitch’s entrance to the stage. The chatter died down as the lights went out and screams filled the air.
Mitch and his band entered the stage welcoming the screams and began to play the album front to back. Despite his usual straight-faced demeanor, Mitch was cracking jokes throughout the set. At one point, fans were barking at Mitch (this has become an expression of endearment and common with the younger crowd at shows nowadays, all in good fun), and Mitch began to bark back with a straight face, getting a loud laugh out of the crowd. Alongside the jokes, Mitch also performed a new song set to be released in April 2024 for record store day, “Carry On With Your Tea”, which the crowd eagerly listened to, and the buzz of excitement for its release was felt throughout the venue.
As the show neared its end, Mitch expressed how saddening it was that the tour was nearing its end. With only one show left in the tour following the Chicago performance, Mitch gave a short speech about how thankful he is to have been able to perform on his first solo tour and how much the fans make it all worth it. Fans beamed with excitement, shouting how much they loved him and how excited they were for the next tour and new music! The admiration filled the whole venue, and Mitch took his leave of the stage. However, fans of course were not ready for the show to be over. Soon the overwhelming sound of fans chanting “MITCH! MITCH! MITCH!” trying to convince the band to come out for one more song. Delighted to oblige, the five-member band came back out to perform one last song.
Photo by Caitlin Dennis | @cait.dennis.photography
But the show didn’t end for some fans when Mitch left the stage. A large crowd began to form outside the venue after the show. Around 40 fans braved the freezing temperatures and biting wind for a chance to meet Mitch after the show. After a brutal hour and a half, and the band’s load out finished, Mitch emerged from the venue. Mitch stayed outside for what I can only imagine was over an hour (I didn’t have the fortitude to brave the cold longer than a quick hello) as a crowd of around 15-20 were still huddled around the tour bus when I took my leave. Mitch spent the time to talk to each and every person in the makeshift line fans had formed, and signed posters, phone cases, and tickets of eager fans. The care he expressed for his fans was practically unmatched. The excitement to say hello to everyone radiated from him. And he didn’t leave the jokes on the stage. Mitch was cracking jokes left and right, making silly faces for fans’ photos, and radiating a witty, quick-witted aura that completely countered his usual aloof and quiet persona from the past few years. As his popularity has begun to skyrocket, more of his wonderful personality is being brought to light by his new-found fans.
With an incredibly bright future ahead of him in his solo career, and what I can only assume is more and more success in his collaborative career, Mitch Rowland is certainly an artist to keep on your radar as he continues to grow as a solo artist.
