Joji’s Solaris Tour Is More Than a Concert

Joji has never needed flashy moments to connect with his audience. Instead, it’s his honest songwriting and emotion that have defined his career, and his Chicago stop on the Solaris Tour was a reminder of just how powerful those songs become in a live setting.

Joji’s Solaris Tour celebrates the release of his fourth studio album, Piss In The Wind, one of the most anticipated releases of the year for longtime fans. After a brief hiatus, Joji returned with the album’s lead single, “Pixelated Kisses,” instantly reigniting excitement and leaving fans hopeful that a new tour would soon follow. That hope quickly became reality.

Getting the opportunity to cover Joji was nothing short of a dream come true. He’s been my top artist for multiple years in a row, and I haven’t missed one of his Chicago stops over his last four tours. Being able to photograph and cover a show from an artist whose music has meant so much to me made this one feel incredibly special, and I couldn’t have been more grateful for the opportunity.

Joji’s setlist blended brand-new releases with the live debut of several new songs, while also surprising longtime fans with a few unreleased tracks that only the most dedicated listeners immediately recognized. Every song felt intentional, keeping the crowd engaged from start to finish.

The visuals throughout the night were absolutely stunning. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a show where one artist commanded an arena with so much stage presence on his own. There were a few comedic moments sprinkled throughout the set that kept the atmosphere light, but what stood out most to me was the music itself. You could genuinely see and feel how excited Joji was to be back on stage. Every smile, laugh, and interaction with the crowd felt authentic. There were moments when the Chicago crowd sang so loudly they nearly drowned him out, and seeing him smile and chuckle as he listened made those moments feel even more special.

Overall, I can confidently say this was Joji’s best performance to date. Piss In The Wind feels like the start of a new chapter for him, giving him the confidence to explore new sounds while staying true to the emotion that has always defined his music. Being able to sing along to those songs all night while finally covering one of my favorite artists made this a truly unforgettable experience. It was a dream come true, and one I’ll be thinking about for a long time.