Varsity Leading Up to the Witching Hour

Varsity’s Stephanie Smith and Dylan Weschler of Varsity.

A fixture in Chicago’s indie-pop rock scene, Varsity’s return to the stage, opening for Hop Along, seemed like many acts in 2021: initially trading reticent smiles with each other, after an unprecedented, global touring hiatus, only to swiftly carry the Metro faithful, led by Stephanie Smith’s infectious vocals, into familiar ground, performing “So Sad, So Sad“, recent releases from 2020’s “Fine Forever“, as well as a personal favorite, “A Friend Named Paul“.

Varsity reinstated their local, indie foothold Saturday night, favoring an optimistic outlook over a tired alternative, fortifying Chicago’s essential place within the indie music space, way past midnight’s arrival.

Full Gallery: Varsity @ The Metro

Dylan Weschler on the SG.