When the opportunity arose at WVUD to cover Chase Atlantic with a press pass, my colleague Becca, the station’s production director and a self-proclaimed Chase Atlantic devotee, contacted me almost instantly. Her enthusiastic “do you want to do this?” was my introduction to the chance to see Chase Atlantic perform live at The Met in Philadelphia on October 30th. Despite only being a casual listener familiar with hits like “Friends,” “Meddle About,” and “Into It,” and having only recently enjoyed their single “DIE FOR ME,” I was intrigued to explore their music in a live setting. Little did I know, this concert would transform me from a casual admirer into a dedicated fan, deeply impressed by Chase Atlantic Songs performed live.
Arriving at the venue, we collected our passes and ascended to our press seats at the top level of The Met. Press seats are always a gamble, but free is free, and we were ready for the show. In a funny twist, Becca and I found ourselves in separate sections, aisle ends on opposite sides of the mezzanine. Perhaps The Met Philly was playfully anticipating some inter-colleague rivalry!
Before the music started, I settled into my seat, observing the growing crowd and waving to Becca as she joined the photographers in the photo pit. The pre-Halloween atmosphere was palpable, with some fans in costume – a theme echoed by the band later in their set. My vampire neighbors, while festive in capes, were perhaps a little too enthusiastic, their accessorized hands finding my face more often than I’d prefer.
The opening act was 24kGoldn, a name that sparked a faint recognition. It clicked later – TikTok fame. His performance style seemed to confirm this, radiating the high-energy, rapid-fire delivery often seen in viral content. While he brought commendable energy and a pro-voting message, his set felt heavily geared towards short-form, attention-grabbing moments rather than deeper musicality. The stage setup, clearly designed for the headliner with tiered risers and a massive video screen, seemed to swallow him whole. He energetically navigated the space, but the unchanging, somewhat distracting visual backdrop didn’t quite complement his efforts.
Imagine the old DVD menu logo bouncing around the screen – that was essentially 24kGoldn’s background, except it said “24k.” Initially, the color-changing, bouncing logo was mildly entertaining, especially when multiple logos appeared in sync with the chorus. However, this visual concept remained static throughout his 45-minute set. The randomness of the logo transitions, even during an acoustic moment, felt jarring and detracted from the performance.
Despite the visual distractions, 24kGoldn deserves credit for his engaging stage presence. Opening acts face a tough crowd, often performing for an audience unfamiliar with their music and primarily there for the main act. He tackled this challenge head-on, working hard to hype up the crowd, encouraging audience participation, and generally exuding a good time. He seemed to understand his role – to energize the room and maybe gain a few new streams.
I recognized only two songs in his set: “City of Angels,” a 2020 TikTok hit I genuinely enjoyed, and “Mood,” his mega-viral 2021 collaboration with iann dior. My appreciation for “City of Angels” was somewhat offset by the performance of “Mood,” a song I distinctly remember disliking and, upon revisiting, still find grating. But, compared to Chase Atlantic’s previous opener, the much-maligned Leah Kate, 24kGoldn was a definite improvement.
The intermission between sets crackled with anticipation. The Chase Atlantic fanbase proved to be one of the loudest I’ve encountered at a concert, a testament to their passionate following. A special shoutout to the brave teens who brought their parents – if my dad has ever asked me to turn off “Into It” due to its explicit language, bringing a parent to a Chase Atlantic concert is truly a bold move.
Another notable audience member: the drunk vampire girl who meticulously filmed the photosensitivity warning on the video screens, moments after being engrossed in browsing GrubHub for nearby restaurants. Concert crowds are definitely a fascinating study in human behavior.
Finally, over two hours after doors opened, the lights dimmed, the roar intensified, and Chase Atlantic took the stage. My immediate observation: lead singer Mitchel Cave’s vocals are genuinely as captivating live as they are on their recorded tracks.
One of my primary curiosities in seeing Chase Atlantic live was to verify the authenticity of Mitchel Cave’s distinctive vocal style. I can confidently confirm: his voice is the real deal. Furthermore, Mitchel Cave’s commitment to vocal riffs at the end of each song was astounding. Each extended vocal flourish felt like a visceral wave of sound, genuinely awe-inspiring. The man can truly sing. This live vocal prowess is a key element that elevates Chase Atlantic songs beyond their studio versions.
The band launched into their set with a strong opening trio: the recent single “DIE FOR ME,” the 2016 favorite “Slow Down,” and “Consume.” Shortly after, Becca rejoined me, and we managed to snag seats together, enhancing the shared concert experience. What followed was a truly impressive performance, bathed in captivating visuals and a palpable atmosphere.
The setlist skillfully incorporated tracks from their latest album, LOST IN HEAVEN. For someone still relatively new to their deeper discography, like myself, this meant enjoying unfamiliar tracks without feeling out of place amidst die-hard fans. The combination of danceable rhythms and mesmerizing visuals was captivating. Chase Atlantic clearly invests heavily in their aesthetic, making the video screen a dynamic and engaging element throughout the performance, especially during the songs I was less familiar with. The recurring car imagery in the visuals was a fun nod, sure to resonate with fans familiar with online car culture references.
While older favorites like “OHMAMI” and “Into It” were highlights, the concert served as an exciting introduction to other Chase Atlantic songs that have since become personal obsessions, particularly “HEAVEN AND BACK”—an absolute banger live. These live renditions of Chase Atlantic songs breathed new life into tracks I was already familiar with and sparked a deeper appreciation for their broader musical catalog.
Other notes jotted down during the show included: “fully forgot he was an Australian jump scare,” “their fashion sense is like the street wear final boss respectively,” “he says ‘hands up’ a lot,” and “these guys ‘she said’ almost as much as The 1975 do.” These are just personal, observational quirks that added to the overall memorable experience.
The band’s onstage chemistry was also a highlight. Comprised of two brothers and their best friend, their easy camaraderie was evident in their interactions with each other and the audience. During a costumed segment, Mitchel’s declaration, “and I am Aladdin!” initially met with confusion before erupting into cheers upon repetition. Even a brief moment of Mitchel struggling to locate the onstage clock became a shared, humorous moment with the crowd, culminating in cheers for the time: 9:59 PM.
His joke about the American Halloween tradition of candy versus the Australian equivalent of children getting “sticked” (given sticks to beat each other) added to the lighthearted and engaging stage banter. Whether serious or not, the “sticked” comment definitely left a memorable impression.
As the show neared its end, the band delivered powerful performances of “Church” and “Swim,” two of their most streamed tracks, before exiting the stage. The ensuing encore chants brought them back for a final song: “Friends,” their second most-streamed hit (surpassed only by “Swim”). Mitchel’s final, resounding “fuck yeahhhhhh!” perfectly capped off the energetic set.
Overall, the Chase Atlantic concert was a resounding success. I was consistently impressed by the vocal performances and genuinely enjoyed a wide range of Chase Atlantic songs, despite my prior limited familiarity. While I was personally disappointed by the omission of “Meddle About,” my favorite Chase Atlantic song and a popular track in their streaming catalog, this seems to be a recurring theme for me at press pass concerts, as Greta Van Fleet also skipped “Safari Song.” Perhaps I am concert-cursed, but the overall experience far outweighed this minor disappointment.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend seeing Chase Atlantic live. Despite the lead singer’s arguably questionable hairstyle, his vocal talent is undeniable, the songs are undeniably catchy, and the overall vibe is perfect for a fun and immersive night out. Give Chase Atlantic songs a listen, and definitely catch them live if you have the chance – maybe just leave your dad at home.
