Photos provided by Kena Krutsinger / United Center

Falling somewhere between the second coming of Lewis Capaldi and soon to be giving Ed Sheeran a run for his stadium dollars, Alex Warren went from YouTube and TikTok to selling out the enormous likes of the United Center seemingly overnight.

Even so, the 25-year-old was already a seasoned singer/songwriter a half-decade earlier, whose upcoming album “Wildchild,” out August 28, comes a mere year after “You’ll Be Alright, Kid” belatedly earned a Grammy Award nomination for “Best New Artist.” 

Although he didn’t win, the anything but “Ordinary” artist became a household name and keeps racking up the singles and streams by the billions, which were all on display throughout two hours as he clearly graduated from the House Of Blues/Lollapalooza levels to a full-fledged headliner for the “Finding Family On The Road” Tour.

Backed by a six-piece band, two vocalists and enough visual effects to make the very last row feel involved, Warren relied mainly on a million-dollar voice, alongside some of the most relatable and reliable lyrics of this generation, frequently framed around the grief of losing both parents.

They included “Troubled Waters,” “Bloodline,” “Before You Leave Me,” “Passenger” and “Eternity,” which sparked a constant sing-a-long from the crowd of teens, twenty-somethings and their folks.

Warren is actually one of the few artists of today who can simultaneously attract multiple generations, thanks it part to accessible lyrics and a sincere personality, as seen during several interludes speaking with fans, reading their signs and slapping hundreds of high fives on the way to a smaller platform in the center of the arena.

A stripped down and soulfully rich “Catch My Breath” started a more intimate set, followed by the completely unreleased “Same Stars” and a request not to record it in favor of simply being locked in the moment.

Everyone complied and remained fixated throughout “Heaven Without You” and “Fine Place To Die,” prior to the phones coming back out in full force for the favorites “Getaway Car,” “Carry You Home,” “Burning Down” and “FEVER DREAM.”

Unsurprisingly, “Ordinary” was saved for the very end, yet it exceeded expectations as Warren belted out each instantly iconic phrase to the heavens, while the masses became a celestial choir as they bore firsthand witness to the official birth of a superstar. 

For additional information on Alex Warren, visit AlexWarrenOfficial.com.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation concerts, visit LiveNation.com.

Upcoming shows at the United Center include Windy City Smokeout (Jul. 8-12); Rush (Jul. 16, 18, 20 and 22); Daniel Caesar (Jul. 26); Ariana Grande (Aug. 3, 5 and 6); J. Cole (Aug. 11-12); Kacey Musgraves (Aug. 20-21); Omar Courtz (Sept. 5); Jungle (Sept. 10); Eric Clapton (Sept. 11); Robyn (Sept. 12); Lily Allen (Sept. 13); Phoebe Bridgers (Sept. 18-19); Weezer (Sept. 22); Teddy Swims (Sept. 25); Johnny Blue Skies & The Dark Clouds (Sept. 29); Le Sserafim (Oct. 2); Doja Cat (Oct. 3); Journey (Oct. 5); Gorillaz (Oct. 8); Olivia Rodrigo (Oct. 11-12); The Smashing Pumpkins (Oct. 14); Disney’s “Descendants,” “Zombies” and “Camp Rock” (Oct. 19); Rod Wave (Oct. 31); Sombr (Nov. 4); Katseye (Nov. 5); XG (Nov. 9); The Neighbourhood (Nov. 18) and John Summit (Nov. 24-25). For additional details, visit UnitedCenter.com.

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