@colekincart

Last Friday night, Toro y Moi headlined the Salt Shed in support of their latest album, Hole Erth, released last September via Dead Oceans. Joining them on tour was Panda Bear, gearing up for the release of his own upcoming album, Sinister Grift, alongside opening act Nourished by Time—an artist already well-loved within WIIT’s orbit.

Toro y Moi’s return to Chicago felt like a long-awaited reunion. The last time I saw Chaz Bear & co. was at Re:SET Festival in Riis Park back in 2023, but with a new album in tow, this set carried a different weight. That said, the crowd itself almost stole the show for me. Part of my enjoyment at concerts comes from people-watching and deciphering an artist’s fanbase through an overly scientific (and entirely unserious) lens. Toro’s audience, however, threw me for a loop. While I expected a mix of “post-gorpcore enthusiasts and high-brow Keen aficionados, the sheer range of styles was impossible to pin down—I acknowledge this likely might be due to the added presence of Animal Collective diehards drawn in by Panda Bear’s set. One thing was for sure, though: the camo hat ratio was impressive. So much so that I spent most of the between-set downtime searching for the elusive Toro y Moi camo cap reminiscent of the Ford logo. (Spoiler: I ended up leaving with a beanie instead, perfect for my late-night bike home on Halsted)

Now, onto the real reason we were all there—the music. Nourished by Time delivered as expected, and if you want a deeper dive, check out our write-up of their Schubas show here (insert link). Hell of a Ride remains an all-timer for me. Panda Bear’s set was equally stellar, and I have to say—I’d been really into Defense lately, so finally hearing it live was a definite highlight.

As for Toro y Moi, this tour may have been in support of Hole Erth, but the setlist was a testament to just how deep their catalog runs. While new tracks like Walking in the Rain and Tuesday were definitely highlights, it was the balance of older material that made the show special. Hearing Laws of the Universe next to Mirage and Talamak next to Ordinary Pleasure made it clear—Toro y Moi isn’t just a band with one standout era. They’ve built a discography full of gems that fans want to revisit just as much as the new material.

Would I go to a Toro show that only focused on one album? Probably not. The magic of their live set comes from the way they pull from every phase of their career, reminding you just how much they’ve done. Friday night at the Salt Shed was no exception, blending Hole Erth’s latest offerings with deep cuts and fan favorites, proving that Toro y Moi’s evolution isn’t about reinvention—it’s about expansion.

As this tour continues, Chaz Bear and his band are making it clear that no part of their discography is left behind. You can catch Toro y Moi on the rest of their tour here and be sure to check out Hole Erth, out now on Dead Oceans.

All photos taken by Cole Kincart. Please email wiit@iit.edu for any inquiries on usage.