By: Christian Scalise

"Gloriana Makes Chicago Debut"

Hot new band and recent AMA (American Music Awards) winners for “Breakthrough Artist Award” Gloriana visited Chicago’s Joe’s bar for the first time on Friday evening December 11th, 2009!

Concert goers inside the packed venue were welcomed by white Christmas lights, beautiful wreaths and faux snow decorations above the bar in honor of the Christmas season.

Kicking the night off to a great start, local band Hello Dave warmed up the lively crowd with a pleasing mixture of southern rock, cover tunes and original standards. Ending their set at 9:45pm, the stage was ready to go for Gloriana!

Anxious fans continuously chanted "Gloriana" from the front of the stage as they awaited their arrival. Taking the stage at 10:30pm Gloriana opened the show with a medley of "Motions”, “If You’re Leavin’,” and Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way."

The moment the show began, the band had the entire audience cheering and singing along with them on each and every line of their songs.

Tight harmonies, great camaraderie and personalities as unique as their outfits, brothers Tom and Mike Gossin, Rachel Reinert and Cheyenne Kimball exhibit a show stopping presence with a whole lot of charisma and a slight resemblance to esteemed country band Little Big Town.

Taking a delightful turn with a few covers from the past, The Doobie Brother’s “Black Water,” Allman Brothers Band’s “Midnight Rider,” and Tom Petty’s “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” showcased a more progressive side of the band.  

Displaying their accomplished talents as musicians, almost each member of Gloriana plays an instrument adding to the excitement of the show. Cheyenne successfully picked away on the mandolin while Tom and Mike played the acoustic and electric guitar.

Introducing “The Way It Goes” to the audience, the band spoke about it’s music video that was filmed this past Summer/Fall out on the road during Taylor Swift’s sold-out “Fearless” tour which they were privileged to open up for each night along with country sweetheart Kellie Pickler.     

Gloriana dedicated the evening to several cuts from their critically-acclaimed self-titled debut album such as “You Said,” “Lead Me On,” and “Change Your Mind” which was released this past summer on the Emblem Records label.

Closing out the show with their smash hit single "Wild at Heart" and a cover of Pure Prairie League’s "Amie" the much too short but highly entertaining evening unfortunately ended at 11:35pm. It will be great fun to watch Gloriana's thrilling rise to the top of their game in the next few years but for now enjoy them while they are still playing small club shows like Joe's Bar!!

Full Set List:

1. Motions

2. If You’re Leavin’

3. Go Your Own Way

4. Black Water (Doobie Brothers Cover)

5. You Said

6. Lead Me On

7. The Way It Goes

8. Change Your Mind

9. Time To Let Me Go

10. Midnight Rider (Allman Brothers Band Cover)

11. Over Me Now?

12. Mary Jane’s Last Dance (Tom Petty Cover)

13. Wild At Heart

14. Amie (Pure Prairie League Cover)

Enjoy pictures from the show below: (Photo credit ©Christian Scalise. Do not use images without prior consent.)