Frog at Thalia Hall
Thalia Hall, Chicago, IL | April 24th, 2026
Photographed and written by Regan Jones
It’s officially the year of the Frog, and Chicago was ecstatic to ring in the new year this past Thursday at Thalia Hall. Chants from the crowd, “Frog, Frog, Frog, Frog!”, filled the space in moments throughout the night, almost as if the crowds heavy anticipation to see the Brooklyn-based trio play the big time was on full display. Jumping from The Empty Bottle to Thalia Hall in just the last year, Frog was seen stepping into their own, and into the spotlight, with their full discography in tow.
Beginning their seamless weave from album to album, era to era, Frog jumped into “RIP to the Empire State Flea Market” to start their set. “One day when you're gone / I’ma wait out on your lawn / Till the street lamps all turn on / And the dog walkers are gone”, Daniel Bateman’s iconic, distinctive voice bounces off the historic Thalia walls and envelopes the crowd in what’s to come. From there, hits both old and new come one after another, from "Best Buy” from their most recent release to “Rubbernecking” from their first self-titled album. No matter at what stage in their discography Frog found you at, there was something for everyone in Chicago’s crowd. And what a privilege it was if find yourself there — with a tremendous twenty-five song setlist, it’s clear Frog came to leave it all on the stage. With Bateman’s effortless transition from keys to guitar, never once dropping a note in his signature style, it was a special night for both band and fan alike.
It’s hard to write about Frog and not highlight the heartfelt through-line in so many of the tracks, from “God Once Loved A Woman” to “Don’t Tell Me Where You’re Going” — there is a certain venerability, a cut-throat honesty, that profoundly pairs with Bateman’s vocals. “There's something I wanna say / I've missed you, 'specially of late / A shadow crosses her face / Don't tell me where you're going / 'Cause I can't be trusted knowing”, “Don’t Tell Me Where You’re Going” sings out longingly. With imagery of God and missing what was once close to you, there’s a world to be uncovered in Frog’s lyrics that comes across pointed and in full view at a show like Thalia Hall.
In tandem with this lyrically soulful thread, Frog’s well-rounded, dark-twang sound came through the entire set, encapsulating this by ending the night with a bang with “DOOM SONG” from Grog. A short, yet heavy melody to wrap the night up in a dark green bow.
You can stream Frog’s recent release, Frog for Sale, on all streaming platforms – with the ability to request a show near you on their website.
The show was opened by Feller – check them out here!
