Stop Missing Shows

The Paper Kites in Chicago

914 users on tonedeaf are tracking The Paper Kites

Never miss another The Paper Kites show near Chicago.

The Paper Kites
House of Blues Chicago — Chicago, IL
Tickets+CalendarText Friend

About The Paper Kites

The Paper Kites are an Australian indie folk band that emerged from Melbourne in the early 2010s, building a devoted following through meticulous songwriting and layered instrumentation. Their breakthrough came with 2012's "Bloom," a sprawling seven-minute track that showcases their ability to build emotional momentum without relying on conventional pop structures. The band—led by Sam Bentley's understated vocals and guitar work—treats songs like architectural projects, adding strings, woodwinds, and subtle rhythmic shifts until what started as a whisper becomes something immersive. Their albums "Twelvefour" and "On the Train Ride Home" established them as craftspeople more interested in texture than flash. They've maintained a steady presence in indie folk circles, occasionally breaking through to wider audiences, particularly in streaming contexts where their patient, detailed approach tends to reward repeated listening. Fans appreciate them for the opposite of hype: they're a band that sounds better the more you pay attention.

Shows are quiet, attentive affairs. Audiences lean in rather than shout. The band's precision translates well to stages—every string arrangement and timing shift lands. Crowds tend to be respectfully devoted rather than rowdy, and the overall vibe is contemplative. Good venue for actually hearing what they're doing.

Known for Bloom, Twelvefour, Electric Worry, Reckless Love, Don't

The Paper Kites + Chicago

The Paper Kites have maintained a quiet presence in Chicago over the years, letting their fingerpicked folk sensibility speak for itself in a city that doesn't always make room for understated beauty. Their last visit in March 2024 at Thalia Hall was a masterclass in restraint—they moved through eighteen songs with the kind of patient precision that rewards close listening. Opening with 'Between the Houses' set the tone immediately: intimate, unhurried. The setlist leaned into their catalog's softer moments—'June's Stolen Car' and 'Paint' revealed the delicate architecture underneath their songwriting. Closing on 'Electric Indigo' felt like watching someone turn off the lights in an empty room, deliberate and complete.

The Paper Kites in Chicago News

Live Music in Chicago

Chicago's indie folk scene has always been generous to artists who favor nuance over volume. The city's tradition of introspective singer-songwriters—rooted in places like the Green Mill and Schubas—creates natural ground for bands like The Paper Kites. There's an audience here that sits still for fingerpicking patterns and lyrics that don't announce themselves immediately. Folk music in Chicago isn't quaint; it's a conversation, and The Paper Kites speak that language fluently.

Chicago road trip to see The Paper Kites?

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.

Stop missing shows.

tonedeaf. reads your music library and emails you when artists you actually listen to have shows near Chicago. No app. No ads. No noise.

Sign Up Free