@amelia.moseman (words)
@ecrley (photos)

It was a special night for she’s green (friends of WIIT) and crowd at the Empty Bottle last Wednesday, and not just because it was the last stop on a September tour that found them headlining venues across the United States and opening for Midwest legends Slowpulp (also friends of WIIT). And it wasn’t because they were taking my Empty Bottle virginity—embarassing it took me this long, I know. It also happened to be lead singer Zophia (like Sophia but with a Z) Smith’s 27th birthday! With that unique and celebratory energy at the forefront, the shoegaze dreampop up-and-comers put on quite a show for the Chicago crowd. 

This tour came at the heels of their highly anticipated “Chrysalis” EP, released August 15th. It was their first release in two years and the first with the filled out band: Zophia Smith on vocals, Raines Lucas and Liam Armstrong on guitars, Teddy Norvold on bass, and Kevin Seebeck on drums. Seemingly, this September run was a warm-up for a more expansive US and UK tour slated for November: a handful of headlining shows, then providing support for Drop Nineteens and Blondshell stateside and Softcult across the pond. In the process of writing this, they also just released a series of dates supporting the return of Hum next spring. In so many words, there will be no shortage of opportunities to catch your own she’s green performance.

The setlist on Wednesday night was a mix of showing off the EP, and giving just a little taste of what’s coming up. The opening track,“Graze”, built slowly to a communal shred: a perfect prelude to the rest of their discography. They are a band that understands the importance of quiet moments just as much as relentless noise.  

“Graze” transitioned nicely into the anthemic “Willow”: a little love song full of natural imagery and a stick-in-your-head chorus. Smith’s vocals shine through on this one, a rare occurrence during a set that treats her voice less as a preacher and more as an instrument. 

“Purple” and “Syndulla” followed, both off of 2023’s Wisteria, very guitar and pedal heavy, Smith’s lyrics shrouded by hazy instrumentals. Purple blasts the audience from the beginning, recessing to a repeated line “you’re a ticking time bomb”, while Syndulla opens up into an expanse of carefully curated noise, ending simply in a chorus of oohs. 

A diversion from the setlist I’ve heard at past shows, the band then launched into a throwback, playing the first she’s green song ever released, a track titled “river”. It was released back in 2022 when the project was just the child of Armstrong and Smith. Though the recording is more lofi, layering Smith’s voice atop itself for a fuller sound, the live performance drew upon the additional members to add an extra dimension to the band’s humble beginnings.

The setlist didn’t rely just on a deep cut for special effect, rolling right along to an unreleased “Chilly”. Given I’d seen most of the set live before, the new songs were a treat—but just aroused my appetite without bedding it down! Album soon guys? Considering the recent signing to Photo Finish records (Feb 2025) I am more than optimistic. Talking with Lucas after the show, the band seems to be speeding up, riding this wave of momentum as far as they can whilst staying true to their roots. There is a lot to look forward to from them.

The set finished off with more classics: “Bleed”, a 2023 single, “Smile again”, another early release, “Figurines” off Chrysalis, and finally an encore with the unreleased “Barker” and crowd favorite “Mandy” from Wisteria. Each time I see them, the band is more rocking, more rolling, and more in love with the craft. 

My favorite moment of the set was about mid way through when the band launched into a cover of Patty Hill’s “Happy Birthday”. A tribute to Smith and another year of life, it was a moment where you can feel a shared memory forming, which is pretty much why we do all this anyway! 

And you, too, can form shared memories with she’s green and others on any number of their upcoming shows. Check out their instagram for the slew of dates ahead and see if they might be coming soon to a city near you. In the meantime, stream their music, buy their merch, and keep that wave flowing!