Wave to Earth Deliver Stirring Performance at their Lollapalooza Aftershow
Written by Lorenzo dela Cruz | August 13, 2025
photos by Lorenzo dela Cruz
Few experiences rival seeing your favorite band live. Many make it a life goal to witness their idols in the flesh, and I—a performative, matcha-consuming Bay Area native that I am—am no exception. There’s something about traveling to a different city, not just to attend a show, but to photograph it for a brief ten minutes, that amplifies the weight of the moment. After a long Saturday darting between stages at Grant Park to catch Wasia Project, Fujii Kaze, Doechii, and Twice, Wave to Earth became the cherry on top of an already stacked day of music.
J.Y.N.
Thalia Hall was packed with fans ready for the highs and lows of a Wave to Earth set. The South Korean indie-rock trio—comprising Kim Daniel (vocals, guitar), John Cha (bass), and Shin Dong-kyu (drums)—crafts a signature blend of jazz, R&B, and pop, wrapped in layers of intricate instrumentals and dreamy lyrics. Since their debut in 2019, they’ve steadily built an international following, touring across North America and gracing major festivals like Austin City Limits, Summer Sonic, and now Lollapalooza. For this special after-show, they were joined by touring saxophonist Jeon-min, whose warm tones have become a fan-favorite addition to their live sound. The smaller venue promised a calmer, more intimate atmosphere than the festival grounds—a chance to see the band’s delicate, slow-burning style up close. Opening the night was J.Y.N. (Just Your Name), whose indie pop-rock stylings set the tone as festival-goers and locals alike filled the room.
When the clock struck midnight, Wave to Earth emerged to a swell of cheers, their silhouettes framed in soft light. Without a word, they launched into “play with earth!”—a euphoric opener that immediately swept the crowd into their world. Momentum carried straight into “peach eyes,” with John raising three fingers and counting down to a cymbal crash before hundreds of voices joined in unison: “Peach eyes, and blue skies, I’ll be with you on your ride.” The opening trio closed with “bad,” Jeon Min’s sax weaving through Daniel’s airy vocals, adding a smoky counterpoint that floated over the mix.
The tone shifted as the lights dimmed, leaving Daniel lit only by a faint backlight. What followed was the emotional core of the night—“slow dive,” “holyland,” and “love” performed back-to-back. These songs, with their melancholic pull and swelling arrangements, are what drew me to Wave to Earth in the first place. Live, they’re transcendent: Daniel’s falsetto cutting through reverb-soaked guitar, “holyland” building to an ethereal climax before dropping into a single, haunting piano line. When “love” began, the room fell into a hushed stillness—every voice softly carrying the Korean lyrics, proof of just how deeply the band’s music has traveled. It felt like a call into the Chicago night: a blend of longing, comfort, and peace.
Midway through the set, the band finally addressed the crowd, sharing that this was their second time at the historic Thalia Hall, the first being on their debut North American tour. The connection was clear, both in their words and in the way they played. Between songs, John joked about the late hour, drawing laughter before they launched into “Annie,” with the audience shouting back Daniel’s prompt in perfect unison. “Light” followed, shimmering like the closing scene of a film no one wanted to end—until Daniel teased “seasons,” and the room lit up with phone flashlights as voices swelled: “I’ll give you all my life, my seasons.”
After their goodbyes, John jokingly added, “I hope that was a nice bedtime song so that you guys get rest, and we’ll see you tomorrow! The crowd stayed rooted, however, unwilling to let go. As expected, an encore was inevitable. The band returned with “pink,” Daniel tearing through one last guitar solo before raising his instrument high as the final notes rang out. The four members gathered for a bow, with John hoisting a banner reading “WAVE TO EARTH | LOLLAPALOOZA 2025.” It was a fittingly triumphant end to a night that felt both fleeting and unforgettable.
