Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Synthwave standouts The Midnight steadily built a dedicated following, both online and in-person, ever since singer/songwriter Tyler Lyle and producer/programmer Tim McEwan launched an “Endless Summer” a decade or so ago.

Though the latter player no longer tours, he’s still half of the recording nucleus that helped launch their latest long-player, the “apocalypse pop” storyline “Syndicate,” which was the subject of the “Time Machines” Tour and a nearly sold out stop at The Salt Shed.

Lyle once again led a live version of The Midnight, fleshed-out to feature five additional backers, while retaining the electronic elements that have always made their recordings so chillingly hypnotic.

A split take on “Sanctuary” and “Love Is An Ocean,” backed by striking visuals mirroring their retro-futuristic artwork, greeted faithful as the front man took charge of the mic and the flickering stage.

He soon strapped on a guitar for “Friction” and would continue flip-flopping between the two positions, often getting the audience to repeat the refrains of “Gloria,” “Lost Boy,” “Deep Blue” and so many more sublime selections.

There was certainly a analog-like feeling that wouldn’t have been out of place in the 1980s or ’90s throughout much of the 100-minute night, yet everything was just as cutting edge on the cyberpunk spectrum.

Other anthems of varying speeds included “Heartbeat,” “Change Your Heart Or Die” and “Los Angeles,” plus a medley dubbed “River Of Forgetfulness” allowed the troupe to explore its rarer but no less satisfying sides.

The saxophone-doused “Vampires” and the digital delight “Days Of Thunder” only elevated the euphoria, and although the tone turned bittersweet when The Midnight had to proclaim “Summer’s Ending Soon,” it wasn’t before riding off into the silver lining of “Sunset” as a few thousand fellow runaways screamed along with no regrets.

Earlier on, everyone got a taste of New Constellations, the viral dream pop duo comprised of singer/multi-instrumentalist Harlee Case (also a guest on The Midnight’s “Jason”) and guitarist/bassist/drum tracker Josh Smith, who gave a glowing glimpse of the full-length debut project, “It Comes In Waves,” in addition to their “Hot Blooded” breakthrough brimming with similarly magnetic qualities as the main event.

For additional information on The Midnight and New Constellations, visit TheMidnightOfficial.com and NewConstellations.Band.

Upcoming concert highlights at The Salt Shed include Joost Klein (May 5); Alter Bridge (May 6); Mac DeMarco (May 7); Disclosure (May 8-10); Timmy Trumpet (May 15); Yellowcard (May 16); The Kid LAROI (May 22); The Jesus And Mary Chain (May 23): Courtney Barnett (May 24); Belle & Sebastian (May 28-29); Of The Trees (May 30); Primus, Les Claypool’s Frog Brigade and The Claypool Lennon Delirium (Jun. 3); Bleachers (Jun. 5 and 7); James Blake (Jun. 8); Sierra Ferrell (Jun. 10); Lupe Fiasco (Jun. 11-12); The Hold Steady (Jun. 13); Amyl And The Sniffers (Jun. 14); Marcus King Band (Jun. 19); Tash Sultana (Jun. 20); Ty Dolla $ign (Jun. 21); The Dead South (Jun. 25); Kurt Vile And The Violators (Jun. 26). For additional details, visit SaltShedChicago.com.

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