Magic Sword in Chicago

About Magic Sword

Magic Sword is the sonic equivalent of neon bleeding into darkness. The mysterious electronic duo produces synth-driven tracks that feel like they're scoring a fever dream in some forgotten arcade. Their music sits in that sweet spot between menacing and hypnotic, all brooding atmospherics and driving rhythms that hit like a hammer wrapped in velvet. Songs like 'In the Death Car' showcase their ability to build tension with minimal elements—a few synth layers, some processed vocals, and suddenly you're lost in something that feels both retro and unsettlingly modern. They've cultivated a deliberately obscure image, letting their production speak louder than any bio. What started as synth darkwave experiments evolved into full-bodied productions that reference '80s horror soundtracks while feeling completely contemporary. They've become a fixture in electronic music circles, pulling from the well of darkwave, synthwave, and industrial influences without sounding derivative.

Dark, laser-heavy shows with heavy fog. Crowd stands transfixed more than moving. The duo keeps their distance on stage, letting the visuals and sound create distance. People come to feel the weight of it rather than celebrate.

Known for Before the Dawn, In the Death Car, Far from Sacred, Memories of the Future, The Time Is Now

Magic Sword + Chicago

Magic Sword's relationship with Chicago has been quietly building through the city's underground electronic circuit. The LA synthwave duo brought their particular brand of cinematic darkness to Outset in May 2025, delivering the kind of set that lingers in your chest afterward. They worked through their arsenal of layered synths and pulsing rhythms, the kind of music that fills a room with bodies moving in unison without anyone quite agreeing on what song is playing. Chicago's smaller venues have become familiar territory for acts like this—places where the sound design matters as much as the spectacle, where production details get the attention they deserve. Magic Sword fit naturally into that ecosystem, proving there's an audience here for the dystopian, art-house end of electronic music.

Magic Sword in Chicago News

• Tour news: Cold War Kids, BJ the Chicago Kid, Bodysnatcher / Spite, JJUUJJUU, more BrooklynVegan · Jan 31, 2024
• The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque Time Out Worldwide · Nov 8, 2023
• Track By Track: The Decemberists' Chris Funk Enlists Magic Sword, Lucius, Reggie Watts, Mikaela Davis and More for Official D&D Inspired 'Spelljams' Relix · Dec 22, 2022
• Dance with the Dead announce new album + tour with Magic Sword NextMosh · Dec 14, 2021
• Show calendar Chicago Reader · Aug 18, 2021

Live Music in Chicago

Chicago's electronic music scene has always had depth beyond the house music that put it on the map. The city supports a legitimate underground for darker, more experimental synth work—the kind of mid-tempo synthwave and cinematic electronic that Magic Sword trades in. Venues like Outset have carved out space for artists who blend visual presentation with serious production values, attracting people who want their electronic music with some narrative weight. It's not the mainstream lane, but it's well-worn enough that touring acts like Magic Sword can find their people here.

Chicago road trip to see Magic Sword?

Stay in Lincoln Park or Wicker Park depending on your vibe—both neighborhoods have real character and plenty of late-night options. Book dinner at Alinea if you're feeling ambitious, or hit RPM Italian for something excellent and less impossible to get into. Spend an afternoon at the Art Institute, then walk along the Lakefront. The city's got enough to fill a weekend without feeling like you're checking boxes. Catch the show, eat well, and remember why you liked this band in the first place.