It’s been a while since I’ve attended an all-ages show, unless you count Lollapalooza, I suppose—so I forgot exactly what was in store for me when I headed to the Abbey Pub this past Monday night to check the Black Kids in Chicago. Originally, this once heavily blog hyped pop quintet was scheduled to take the stage at the Metro—(but I’m guessing due to ticket sales?) had to be moved to the Abbey. You wouldn’t have guessed that that was the reasoning based on the excitable pack of kids jumping around in the condensed crowd, though. BK took to the small stage almost exactly at 9:00 PM on the dot, and swept through their debut full length, Partie Traumatic, busting out their poptacular gems in less than 90 minutes along with a handful of b-sides and cover tracks.

Neon pink and teal tube lighting set the 80’s visual vibe, while front man Reggie Youngblood kept the retro sounds pumpin’ with his Robert Smithesque vocal style. It was guiltless fun, with lots of jumping, clapping and smiles all around. The crowd wasn’t alone partaking in the evening’s dance party, as the BK clan had their own little two-stepping and grin fest action as well—particularly during their cover of Magnetic Fields’ “Strange Powers.”

Keys, percussion and harmonies rocked the small venue and moved more hipster bodies than I deemed possibly movable. The overall performance impressed me a bit more than their Lolla set and it seems this pack of kids is finally figuring out the formula to playing a live set. My personal favorite part of the set? Reggie relatin’ to tha kidz by inquiring how many in attendance were yet in high school, and then confiding that his biggest “regret” and “confession” was that he was a Southern Baptist in HS, but wished he was Goth instead. Wow. Cool, Reggie, cool. Maybe you should stick to the crooning and sway from the banter. . . At least I was home in bed by 10:30—so in retrospect, all-ages shows do rule.

Set List
1 - Look At Me (When I Rock Wichoo)
2 – Hit the Heartbreaks
3 – Partie Traumatic
4 – I’ve Underestimated My Charm (Again)
5 – Listen to Your Body Tonight
6 – I Wanna Be Your Limousine
7 – (“The very, very whiney”) Love Me Already
8 – My Christian Name
9 – Change Powers
10 – I’m Making Eyes at You
11 – I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You
12 – (ENCORE) – You Only Call Me When You’re Crying
13 – (ENCORE) - Hurricane Jane