Grace VanderWaal Lights up Chicago Kicking Off Her ‘CHILDSTAR’ Tour

Grace VanderWaal’s opening night for her CHILDSTAR tour sprang off at Lincoln Hall, in Chicago, with support from ALINA. Both sweet and dedicated artists, showing vulnerability and commitment to their craft. The entire night was filled with creative, magical moments that put a spotlight on the capabilities within live performances that creatives can execute. 

ALINA, a college freshman with a modern spin on an old soul’s story, took the stage for her first tour stop in support of Grace Vanderwaal’s CHILDSTAR Tour. ALINA performed soft acoustic guitar songs paired with a strong vocal range. ALINA’s presence on stage was genuine and interactive with the crowd. She shared a variety of her catalog, including a song she wrote her first semester of college, along with many unreleased tracks.

Those who wandered into the dark aesthetic within the iconic local appealing venue, Lincoln Hall, were brought a glimpse of light by this young artist’s transparency and passion within her performance. Every note she hit was perfectly timed, and she was able to maintain a timely yet memorable set. While waiting for the “CHILDSTAR” Grace VanderWaal to take the stage, a current rising CHILDSTAR walked off that same stage.

ALINA had a group of girls who followed her to chat at merch with her after her set. There was an astounding amount of fans, especially younger, there to support ALINA’s first night on tour, dressed in oversized merch, excitedly admiring the artist while nervously preparing themselves to meet her. ALINA, not only on the stage, but off as well, expressed nothing but kindheartedness and an up-beat energy the entire night. With every word out of her mouth came a breath of fresh air into the venue. 

Having the opportunity to tour on this entire run with VanderWaal is such a huge achievement for her first touring gig. The choice of her being the only full-tour opener was made abundantly clear within their first show together. At minimum, ALINA’s talent is more than enough to “qualify,” but her character matches Grace’s personality so well.ALINA was a perfect choice for Grace’s CHILDSTAR Tour.

Around 8:30 PM, the three bright white stage lights flashed, in what seemed to be a split second. The crowd was attempingly so preparing themselves for the cinematic entrance Grace VanderWaal was about to bring to the stage. This moment of the night was something so unique and powerful compared to many other artists’ ways of expressing their work live. That being said, Grace VanderWaal is an artist like no other.

This tour is a visual and auditory live testimonial experience of the journey VanderWaal has gone through as a young artist growing into her artistic journey as an adult. Grace gave one of the most passionate performances in Chicago, alongside her professional dancers and lighting team, creating an atmosphere so beautiful it left people feeling a sense of ethereal surrealism from this experience.

VanderWaal was dressed in a white flow-y dress with her dancers in neutral shades. Grace VanderWaal’s comeback from her original aesthetic of that floral, free spirit is still depicted within her fashion choices for this tour, but with a more sophisticated spin as an adult CHILDSTAR.. Grace VanderWaal brings a vulnerable yet powerful presence to the stage. Her vocal abilities and range stayed strong throughout her entire performance, including her extensive choreography. 

Grace VanderWaal is an artist that many know of, but this live performance took fans on a live journey of who the artist is at heart within her craft. The artist performed a variety of her catalogue. Happily, she surprised her long-time fans with some old songs while still managing to hold everyone’s attention to the meaning of CHILDSTAR and this tour. With each creative direction she took on Lincoln Hall’s stage that night, each attendee was pulled more into her presence.