Photos by Andy Argyrakis

With the picturesque backdrop of the Chicago skyline, Huntington Bank Pavilion At Northerly Island is already a staple of the outdoor concert season, but when rising indie pop/alternative rock act LANY landed, the duo comprised of singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Paul Klein and drummer/percussionist/sample man Jake Goss truly made it feel like “Summer Forever.”

Not only do their shiny tunes provide an instantly infectious jolt of endorphins, but the outgoing front man is fearless when it comes to commanding a crowd, even jumping right into the party as he did fairly early for “Super Far” and again during “Made In Hollywood.”

In between, LANY bridged members’ small town beginnings with their metropolitan aspirations throughout “Cowboy In LA,” debuted the guitar rocker “Congrats” and had the dedicated crowd screaming along to “Ex I Never Had.”

This was by far the widest-ranging retrospective the group has ever brought to town since getting started at the tiny Schubas a half-decade ago and those who were they from the beginning were rewarded with deep cuts, such as the punchy “Pink Skies.”

Klein also took to the keyboards to carry his portion of “I Quit Drinking” (normally with country queen Kelsea Ballerini) and “Mean It” (a duet with the bedroom pop star Lauv), while cranking the band up for “Taking Me Back” and “Dancing In The Kitchen.”

Then right as “Malibu Nights” began, the heavens opened up with a blitz of rain that added additional atmosphere to the chilling ballad, but quickly cleared for an encore of the epic “Thru These Tears” and the online smash “ILYSB” as a bunch of girls jumped on the shoulders of their dates or friends.

Going into the bow with the top-notch backing musicians, Klein assured fans the guys would basically be back every year until they die, and with a little luck, might eventually wind up at Soldier Field directly across the street.

That lofty goal may still be off in the distance, but with over four billion streams, at least a half million concert tickets sold across 37 countries and a stadium-ready performance, LANY is well on the way.

For additional information on LANY, visit ThisIsLANY.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Huntington Bank Pavilion At Northerly Island include Maren Morris (Aug. 10); Alicia Keys (Aug. 23); Florence + The Machine (Sept. 7); Odesza (Sept. 9-10); Deadmau5 (Sept. 23); Lamb Of God (Sept. 24); Conan Gray (Sept. 28); New Order and Pet Shop Boys (Sept. 30) and The Head And The Heart (Oct. 1). For additional details, visit LiveNation.com.

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