Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Aware Records might have started right here in Chicago (Evanston to be exact), but there’s hardly a corner of globe that hasn’t encountered its repeatedly multi-platinum reach. Much of that has to do with major leaguers such as John Mayer and Train, alongside popular affiliations with The Fray, Vertical Horizon, The Verve Pipe, Five For Fighting, Guster, Mat Kearney and dozens more.

Despite not being quite as universally recognized, the Aware Records 25th Anniversary Show coaxed alternative rockers Stir back to town after well over a decade and even a lengthy hiatus couldn’t halt their crunching chemistry.

Although not all of those alumni made it to mark the label’s 25th anniversary and salute its founder Gregg Latterman, House Of Blues was filled up with both fans and representatives from many bands. In fact, rarely has downtown’s top concert club seen so many acts populate its notable stage on a given night, but thankfully Aware kept the tone tight and equipment light for Jackopierce, Matt Scannell (Vertical Horizon), Brian Vander Ark (The Verve Pipe), Stir and Alice Peacock, plus guest appearances from Isaac Slade (The Fray) and Nick Santino (A Rocket To The Moon).

The format was very indicative of what was going on around the organization’s 1993 founding when “MTV Unplugged” led the TV ratings, giving onlookers a more intimate glimpse of the full-produced songs that made them famous. And across the extensive time capsule that occasionally made its way to today, there sure were many of those, including giant sing-a-longs of The Fray’s “How To Save A Life,” Vertical Horizon’s “Everything You Want” and The Verve Pipe’s “The Freshman” (performed hauntingly a capella).

Despite not being quite as universally recognized as the above three, the Aware Records 25th Anniversary Show coaxed alternative rockers Stir back to town after well over a decade and even a lengthy hiatus couldn’t halt their crunching chemistry. Acoustic duo Jackopierce also picked immediately back up on the same page, while the singer/songwriter stylings of Peacock and an emo-tipped cameo from Santino continued hitting the target for the commemorative evening.

Click here for more photos of the Aware Records 25 Year Anniversary Show at the House Of Blues.

For additional information on Aware Records, visit AwareMusic.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at House Of Blues include Mike Shinoda (Nov. 11); PRETTYMUCH (Nov. 13); Biz Markie (Nov. 14); BBMak (Nov. 15); Corazon Espinado (Nov. 16); Kasbo (Nov. 17); Chicago Blues Spectacular (Nov. 20); Amine (Nov. 21); The Struts (Nov. 23-24); Real Friends, Boston Manor, Grayscale and Eat Your Heart Out (Nov. 25); Crush (Nov. 26); Kodaline (Nov. 27); Tech N9ne (Nov. 28) and Steel Panther (Nov. 29). For additional details, visit HouseOfBlues.com/Chicago.

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