BLOODYWOOD ​System Of A Brown Tour Hits House of Blues, Chicago, IL

By: Tarah Leigh

​Chicago has seen its share of heavy shows, but this one felt different from the second the lights dropped.

Bloodywood hit Chicago, IL, on their System of a Brown Tour, making this only their second run through the United States. You might have expected to read a review about an international band still easing into things here in the states. Bloodywood did the opposite: they kicked the door open and right off its hinges.

Formed in 2016 by Karan Katiyar and Jayant Bhadula in New Delhi, India, Bloodywood began as a YouTube parody channel. The origin story makes for some fun trivia… right up until they hit the stage and flatten you with it. (In the best way possible, of course!) 

Their sound is incredibly unique. It is a blend that most would think wouldn’t work, but it absolutely does. Traditional Indian folk music, rap, and nu-metal. Socially conscious lyrics that rotate between English, Hindi, and Punjabi. The dhol and flute did not sit in the background either; they added more flair to the awesome concert chaos. Nothing felt out of place.

The venue, the House of Blues Chicago, was packed to the point of absurdity, like Lake Shore Drive during Friday rush hour. No space, no breathing room, just bodies locked in and overflowing with concert-fueled energy. From the first note, the floor began to shake and never really stopped. Crowd surfers of all ages came in waves over the barricades. Mosh pits opened in all spaces in the crowd constantly, but they remained friendly. For an all-ages show, it walked that perfect line between madness and control.

What really sets Bloodywood apart, though, is the intent behind their music. Their songs address real-world issues, like social justice concerns, personal struggles, and standing up for women, just to name a few; and those themes don’t get lost live. Between songs, the band intentionally spoke about the importance of resilience and community in a way that actually landed. No clichés, no filler, just raw messages backed by a band that clearly means what they’re saying.

That honesty carried through the entire set. There was no faking on that stage. No forced “metal toughness.” Just energy, purpose, and a group of good-hearted guys that knows exactly who
they are.

By the end of the night, the room felt wrung out in the best way—sweaty, loud, and
completely unified.

Second U.S. tour or not, Bloodywood isn’t acting like the new kid in town.
​
They showed up and acted like they owned the House of Blues, and honestly, no one was arguing.

Chicago Set List:
DANADAN
NU DELHI
AAJ
TADKA
JEE VEEREY
BEKHAUF
MACHI BHASAD
HALLA BOL
GADDAR


There are only a few days left of The System of a Brown tour. Get your tickets now!