Photos by Andy Argyrakis

A dozen years after officially forming a mere day before trying out for “The Sing-Off,” Pentatonix is in the midst of its most ambitious tour to date, taking a break from holiday tunes to focus on an original album, “The Lucky Ones,” alongside covers representing a multitude of genres.

Though the lawn was closed, the reality TV champions packed all of the spacious pavilion of Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, turning in nearly two hours of practically perfect a cappella harmonies.

Baritone Scott Hoying, tenor Mitch Grassi, soprano Kirstin Maldonado, baritenor/beatboxer/cello player Kevin Olusola and bass singer Matt Sallee were “Radioactive” in terms of energy and enthusiasm moments into the re-arranged Imagine Dragons anthem.

Together, the triple Grammy Award-winners could literally do it all, from Simon & Garfunkel’s folksy “The Sound Of Silence,” to their own pop powerhouse “Love Me When I Don’t” and a remarkable Daft Punk medley, especially considering there weren’t synthesizers or barely any instruments in site.

Opener Lauren Alaina joined for Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” followed by a “celloboxing” segment culminating in “Kevin’s Fifth,” a brilliant rework of Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5” with Matt on drums.

The mere other moment to incorporate anything beyond purely voices was an epic recording to bolster Scott and the crowd’s superhero-styled version of Destiny Child’s “Survivor,” a true TikTok sensation in-the-making.

The communal sing-a-longs surged come an oldies section of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” and Harry Belafonte’s “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song),” rockers such as Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” and Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On A Prayer,” plus a gigantic dance medley from the 1990s.

However, Pentatonix could be just as captivating with the stripped down likes of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” and The Rescues’ “My Heart With You,” the latter of which was sung at one shared microphone without any of the swirling lights or striking visuals that adorned earlier selections.

Only one challenge remained, Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” but at over six minutes featuring as many section changes, it felt like a mini-opera of its own and an ideal opportunity for Pentatonix to put its signature spin on yet another classic.

For additional information on Pentatonix, visit PTXOfficial.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre include Trippie Redd (Sept. 5); Jason Aldean (Sept. 9) and Fuerza Regida (Sept. 23). For additional details, visit LiveNation.com.

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