This past Friday marked my first time for checking a show at the Empty Bottle. Why it took me so long to finally get around to this popular hotspot, I have no clue—but after my evening here I can def say that I’m looking forward to frequenting this venue again sometime soon. Two dollar Shiner Bocks? Bitch, please. The fact that Lightspeed Champion brought forward one of the best performances I’ve checked in the past few months mos def upped the kudos scale as well.

I’ve had the privilege to check Mr. Devonte Hynes two times prior, once as the front man for the punk trashcore outfit Test Icicles at CMJ back in ’05 and as his current moniker, Lightspeed Champion, at SXSW this past March. Both times I walked away feeling pretty fulfilled with his delectably smooth vocals and back up beats but this time around in Chicago was probably my favorite experience yet.

The acoustics at the Bottle were lively amped up and the combination of Hynes’ sweet lyrics melting off the harmonic violin strings, upbeat guitars and orchestral keys was a real treat. LSC brought several numbers from Falling Off the Lavender Bridge including “Tell Me What It’s Worth,” “Midnight Surprise,” “Devil Tricks for a Bitch,” “Galaxy of the Lost,” “Let the Bitches Die,” and my personal faves “Dry Lips” and “Everyone I Know is Listening to Crunk.”

A few new numbers were tossed in the mix as well, although there’s no way I could have deciphered his thick British accent to jot down the actual song titles. As endearing and charming as his crowd banter was, I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only one in the crowd who couldn’t pick up 100% what the hell he was talking about—but he was smiling in that signature winter fur hat and black square specs of his anyway. Anyone who sports an Edie Sedgwick tee and jams out to the Star Wars theme song as part of the final song of the night is definitely cool in my book.

As I stated previously, this was not my first time checking Mr. Hynes on stage and after Friday, I’m 100% positive it won’t be the last either—definitely keep your eyes open for LSC on a stage near you and you will not be disappointed.

Myspace: Lightspeed Champion