The Beths Deliver a Powerful, Reinvigorated Performance

The Beths’ November 23 performance at The Salt Shed showcased a band in the middle of an artistic shift—one shaped by the introspection behind their new album, Straight Line Was A Lie. While Elizabeth Stokes has spoken openly about the challenges of writing this record, including creative stagnation and personal recalibration, none of that hesitation appeared onstage. Instead, the band arrived sounding refreshed and fully energized, channeling that creative reset into a show that felt both intimate and electric.

New material formed the emotional spine of the set. Songs like “A” and “When I’m Feeling Down” carried a deeper sense of vulnerability live, with Stokes’ vocals cutting through the room with a clarity that matched the album’s themes of self-interrogation and renewal. The band’s signature blend of crisp guitar work and buoyant rhythm kept the mood bright even as the lyrics reached into heavier terrain, creating a dynamic push-and-pull that suits their evolving sound.

Of course, older favorites ignited the crowd instantly. “Future Me Hates Me,” “Little Death,” and “Expert In A Dying Field” turned The Salt Shed into a full-room singalong, highlighting the band’s uncanny ability to write songs that feel communal without sacrificing emotional detail. But what stood out most was how seamlessly the new songs fit alongside the old—proof that The Beths’ latest chapter isn’t a departure but an expansion. By the end of the night, it was clear: the creative hurdles that once slowed Stokes have only sharpened the band’s live presence, making this tour one of their most compelling yet.

Photos and review by Steve Sym from The Beths performance at The Salt Shed in Chicago on November 23, 2025