On Sunday, August 3rd, the Mercury Lounge hosted two rising stars in the indie and bedroom pop world. Headlining the show was marQ, a well-known artist with a following of over 650,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. The performance was part of his first-ever tour, “The Matchbox Tour,” which followed the release of his first album, Matchbox, earlier this year on May 16th. Sharing the stage as a supporting act was Benten, a Chicago-based independent artist whose blend of indie, funk, and R&B has been turning heads since his 2022 debut.
Benten Starting On The Stage
Benten is an independent artist and producer from Chicago’s South Loop, where he creates music primarily from his bedroom studio. His sound is reminiscent of Steve Lacy, combining a captivating blend of indie, R&B, and bedroom pop. His unique style has been gaining traction ever since he started releasing music in 2022. The 23-year-old artist’s influences are wide-ranging, from musicians like Omar Apollo to movies by directors like Ari Aster – all of which contribute to his emotional songwriting.
Finishing the Night: MarQ
After benten’s performance, marQ took the stage to headline the night, demonstrating why he’s quickly becoming a household name in the indie and bedroom pop music scenes. He has a significant and growing online presence, especially within the indie music crowd. His music, a compelling blend of bedroom pop and hip-hop, resonates with a new group of listeners who appreciate his ability to seamlessly merge genres and are fans of other similar artists like Malcom Todd. The Mercury Lounge show was a prime example of his rising star. Even as one of the last stops on his first-ever tour, it generated significant attention and cemented his status as a major new voice in contemporary music.
Joining marQ on stage was an extremely talented band. The creative direction and production were handled by Adam Bross, who not only plays a crucial role in the live show’s visual and music experience but also contributes as a producer, performer, and songwriter. The powerful foundation of the group was provided by drummer Kayden Crews, a musician in his own right who also has numerous independent works. And finally, rounding out the band was Carson Dell, a key collaborator who has worked with marQ on various projects.
MarQ’s dynamic setlist blended fan favorites with tracks from his latest album, Matchbox. The evening opened with songs from his debut EP, Rhodie, including “Oh yeah” and “uh oh,” followed by the popular singles “On & Off” and “My Lady.” The set continued with “middleman,” “yesterday,” and a cover of Steve Lacy’s “Baby Doll,” showcasing his musical influences. He then moved into his newer material, performing the album’s title track, “Matchbox.” Following this came a Pink Floyd cover of “Breathe,” “She Rolls,” and a demo from his time in Chicago. The show concluded with “no reason” and “empty handed” from Matchbox. Although the original finale was “farewell” from the Rhodie EP, an enthusiastic crowd cheered him back on stage for a one-song encore of “south,” highlighting the strong connection between marQ’s music and his audience.
Overall, the performance served as a powerful statement from a rising artist on the cusp of stardom. MarQ demonstrated a stage presence that was supported by his early career. He showcased his ability to command a live stage and connect with his audience on a profound level. The enthusiastic crowd and the well-received setlist are strong indicators that “The Matchbox Tour” is a resounding success, solidifying MarQ’s place as a name to watch and a compelling new force in indie pop and hip-hop.
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