Watch People R Ugly's Paste Session in Chicago

Chicago during Lollapalooza weekend is a place that’s hard to put into words. The streets are alive with festival goers, artists, and music spilling from every block. Situated in the middle of this bustling place, Paste Studios, in collaboration with the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group, carved out a refuge on the terrace of sleek and stylish Aba Fulton Market. It was a sunny day, and the greenery and ornate decoration of the terrace contrasted beautifully with the hum of the city below.

It was here that People R Ugly, an exciting, playful alt-pop band, set up for a truly electric set. The setting was both luxurious and casual: restaurant staff, production crew, and the band’s team spread across the terrace, some leaning on railings, others sinking into cushioned seats, all with tequila cocktails in hand, courtesy of Flecha Azul. The band’s punchy punk riffs and irrepressible energy soared above the skyline of Chicago.

Formed in Los Angeles, People R Ugly first started releasing music in 2021 and quickly built a reputation for bringing a distinct, modern energy to the alt-pop genre. The lineup, Tristan Kevitch, Zak Dossi, Bill “Biersy” Biersy, and Julian Delgrosso, walked into Aba ready to rock, and they certainly delivered.

Most Popular

They opened with “DOULOVEME,” a track from their upcoming album Garage (out October 24). The song carried all the hallmarks of late 90s/early-2000s pop-punk—chunky power chords, bright melodies, and a youthful energy that felt perfect for a summer rooftop show. For a few moments during the set, the music made me feel as if I had been placed right into a scene from American Pie or Eurotrip – something I was very glad to experience. From there, they jumped into another brand-new single from Garage, called “WAKE UP.” Hearing these two brand new songs from the band makes me excited to see the direction in which they’ll go.

Huge thanks to Lettuce Entertain You, Flecha Azul, and Shure for partnering with Paste Studio and giving us beautiful spaces like Aba Fulton Market to host these sessions. The combination of great atmosphere, great hospitality, great music, and great tequila elevated the entire experience, and with People R Ugly on the terrace, it felt like the golden age of 2000s pop-punk had been dropped right onto the Chicago skyline.

Watch People R Ugly’s Paste Session in Chicago