Cobrah Captivates in Chicago
BY ADI COHENCobrah has been an artist I’ve been keeping tabs on since the first time I heard her 2019 single “U KNOW ME” back in college that same year. I was at a friend's house party and there were probably 40 of us packed into this small, sweaty living room. The place was jumping while my friend was going B2B with his roommates. Eventually one of them dropped the aforementioned track and I knew I needed more from this artist right then and there.
Cobrah’s hyperpop sound felt really new and inventive to me at that point in time. Once the night was over, I went home and looked up her music to find that she only had one EP out. The five songs from her Icon EP kept me hooked, but also patiently awaiting more.
While a few more singles and EP’s were released along the way, Cobrah’s debut album, Torn, did not come out until earlier this year. Thankfully the album and long-awaited tour were well worth the wait.
Walking into the Riviera Theatre a few minutes before show time, you could sense the anticipation. People were decked out in very fun, mostly all black outfits. It looked like people were ready to go to a techno show and honestly that was essentially what we got, but with the addition of Cobrah’s amazing vocals and catchy lyrics to dance the evening away to.
As soon as she took the stage to her opening track “Hit Girl", the Riv was buzzing. The energy was palpable as Cobrah and her dancers set the tone for the rest of the show. Somehow it got even louder in the venue as she sang “IG” and “Hush,” the crowd singing along to every word in unison with her.
After getting to photograph the first three songs, I made my way up into the balcony to take in the rest of the show. Typically, I find it to be a calmer environment to watch the set from, but that was not the case tonight. It was just as jumping up there as it was on the floor. I honestly don’t know why I was surprised by this because truthfully, it’s the only acceptable vibe to have at a Cobrah show.
The rest of the evening maintained this lively energy, only slowing down momentarily halfway through the set when she played “Charming" and asked the crowd to put their phone lights up for the slower song. She shared with the audience that she went back and forth on putting a song like that out since it’s a slight departure from her typically upbeat sound. The audience's reaction to the track shows that she definitely made the right decision by releasing the track and sharing this slower sound with us.
Things immediately perked back up when she sang her next song, “Dog,” and stayed that way the rest of the night. Somehow it felt like Cobrah managed to turn this 2,500 person venue into the same sweaty living room I first learned about her in.
Towards the end of the show, she exited the stage briefly before coming out for three more songs. The crowd somehow found it within themselves to get even louder while people started yelling the names of songs they were still waiting to hear.
Cobrah finished the show with a string of crowd pleasers in “BRAND NEW BITCH”, “FEMININE ENERGY”, and “GOOD PUSS.” The crowd continued screaming for more, but once the venue lights came on the chatter switched to where to take the party to next because it was barely past 9 PM.
If you’re looking for a show to dance at, this is definitely the one. Most of Cobrah’s currently announced tour dates are taking place across Europe this summer so whether you’re local or looking to make the most of your euro summer, I highly recommend working her show into your plans.
