Hatchie at The Empty Bottle
Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL | April 12th, 2026
Photographed and written by Regan Jones
It’s hard to not get lost in the moment with Hatchie. The Australian-born indie pop artist graced Chicago this past Sunday, one of only three U.S. shows on her run for her new album Liquorice. Through her dreamy, pop-drenched vocals, The Empty Bottle was enveloped in ease, warmth, and yearning. “You won't always recognize when you're meant to stay / Maybe the world you want has to slip away” Hatchie starts her set in tandem with her album beginning, inviting the audience into her thoughtful world. The ride cymbal drives the low jazz beat through the crowd and into “Sage” – her most declaratory love song from her third record. From there the set unfolds, seamlessly blending Liquorice with her previous albums with hits like “This Enchanted” and “Sure”.
This show hit close to home for me, with Hatchie welcoming not only me but my community into this world she’s built with open arms. We recently experienced a loss through the passing of our friend Roland. Our best friend, our glue, and our resident Hatchie fan. When we shared the impact she had on his life and his joy, she wanted to be involved in memorializing his energy, his love, and his love for music. “This one’s for Roland”, his name reverberating through the crowd before she begins “Carousel”. “We laughed until our cheeks were numb / Paid no mind to what was yet to come / Even if it meant all our chips were spent / When there's nothing left, you can understand”, her effortless meditation on time well spent surrounding us like a hug from an old friend. I’m proud to have called him a friend, and grateful he brought Hatchie’s music into my life.
Photo by Shiying LuWith her glowing red heart balloons slowly filling the space, soon to be tied to wrists and taken home by eager concert-goers, Hatchie and her music left a lasting impression of love – and everlasting friendship.
