I walked into Lincoln Hall for the first time on August 14, 2023 not knowing what to expect. Being a Monday evening, the crowd that waited for doors to open was cool and collected, despite being in a very crowded lobby. I was not familiar with the bands set to play so my first impressions came from the youthful crowd. Once doors opened up to the auditorium, I started to get excited.
Lincoln Hall is a very intimate venue with good vibes all around. I felt so welcomed once I walked into the main auditorium that I couldn’t help but get excited to hear and see HOKO for the first time.
Judging from the crowd, I suspected HOKO would bring a chill indie vibe. And they did. But they brought so much more. They kept me on my toes throughout their set and I was left wanting more and more.
HOKO opened for Almost Monday and Weathers but they absolutely felt like a headliner. Frontman, Nathaniel Hoho, knows exactly how to draw you in. I could not take my eyes off him while he performed. I was utterly mesmerized by his stage presence combined with their music and lyricism. HOKO definitely was bringing the good vibes but I did not expect them to up the stakes next.
About midway through the set, Nathaniel climbed up onto one of the giant speakers that lined both sides of the stage as if preaching to his congregation in the best way possible. The crowd responded immediately to this action and if they weren’t paying attention before, all eyes were on Nathaniel. Hundreds of phones were raised simultaneously to capture this scene. For myself, it was my camera.
I found myself nodding along to the set as I snapped photos, something that does not always happen when I shoot but I couldn’t help it. The crowd, along with myself, was clearly having one of the best times and I couldn’t be more mesmerized. And just like that, as soon as I thought HOKO had left it all on the table, but the end of their set, Nathaniel was IN the crowd to close out the set. It was so encapsulating and inviting. For a few minutes, we were all a part of HOKO.
It was the HOKO show without a doubt. I’ve never seen an audience respond so well and be so attentive to an opening band before. Needless to say, HOKO is NOT an opening band. They are, without a doubt, a headline band. I’m happy to say and HOKO has gained a fan for life and I look forward to the next time they make a stop in Chicago.
