Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Growing up on a pop/punk diet of Fall Out Boy, The All-American Rejects and Panic! At The Disco, crossed with the similarly contagious and slightly later sensibilities of The 1975 and Ed Sheeran, gave singer/songwriter Knox Morris a foundation that’s heavy on hooks and puts an extra emphasis on emotion.

Though the New Carlisle, Ohio native started out professionally behind the scenes writing for others after relocating to Nashville in 2019, he transitioned towards a solo path by 2022 and soon saw the breakout smash “Sneakers” go viral.

From then until now, Knox toured alongside The Band Camino and Nightly, performed locally at Lollapalooza, plus kept the singles, EPs and albums coming, leading to the latest, “My Midwest Best,” being the subject of a tour that instantaneously sold out Chicago’s renown House Of Blues.

Following 90 headlining minutes, it’s unlikely faithful will have a another opportunity to get this close to the rising star again since the constant stream of colossal choruses seemed tailor made to be belted in stadiums.

The charismatic Knox quickly proved he was on that trajectory alongside a punchy three-piece band via the opener “4.3 Forty” and “After The After Party,” a shout-from-the-rooftops anthem if there ever was one.

In fact, everything he touched was immediately unforgettable, including “Man Down,” “Love Letter,” “Mixed Feelings,” “Ready Or Not” and “D.N.A.,” the latter cleverly introduced by a snippet of “She Looks So Perfect” by 5 Seconds Of Summer.

Knox continued to “Go For Broke” while rapidly unfurling “An American Tragedy,” “50/50,” “Long Story Short” and “Better Than Me,” each carefully crafted for a radio or playlist-friendly approach.

Lyrically, the 28-year-old is well the way to universal recognition as well, whether it was the heart-on-sleeve feels of “Gone Missing,” “Treadmill” or “Voicemail,” plus “Sneakers” already proved itself online and translated to a mega karaoke session.

A little bit of Walk The Moon’s “Shut Up And Dance” straight into the supreme banger “Not The 1975” was arguably even more magnetically attractive, followed by the potent “Pick Your Poison” as Knox made sure House Of Blues was wholly satisfied with their choice to take a chance on the relative newcomer.

For additional information on Knox, visit MusicByKnox.com.

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

Upcoming concert highlights at the House Of Blues include Rebecca Black (Oct. 23); The Wrecks (Oct. 24); Erik Vilar and Ed Wood (Oct. 24); Streetlight Manifesto (Oct. 25); She Wants Revenge (Oct. 26); Esteman & Daniela Spalla (Oct. 29); Winyah (Oct. 30); Akeem Ali (Oct. 31); James Tom (Nov. 1); Abbie Gamboa (Nov. 5); Basement (Oct. 6); The Music Of “Hey Arnold!” Live (Nov. 7); Better Than Ezra (Nov. 8); Michelle Branch (Nov. 10); Moonbloom (Nov. 12); Almost Monday (Nov. 13); Lucky Boys Confusion (Nov. 14); Saosin (Nov. 15); Skilla Baby (Nov. 17); Hawthorne Heights (Nov. 18); Jake Cornell (Nov. 19); Magic Honey (Nov. 20); Dax (Nov. 21); Yung Gravy (Nov. 22); Amorphis and Insomnium (Nov. 23); The Pineapple Thief (Nov. 27); Gnarls Barkley (Nov. 28) and Yaelokre (Nov. 29). For additional details, visit HouseOfBluesChicago.com.

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