Photo Credit: Audrey Leon

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists played to a packed house at Lincoln Hall’s official Grand Opening celebration concert on Sunday, Oct. 25. The band took full advantage of its special one-off Chicago appearance to test new material for the Pharmacists’ forthcoming Matador Records debut.

Most of The Pharmacists’ 75-minute set was devoted to new tunes such as the memorable number “Bottle and Cork.” During the song’s performance, drummer Chris Wilson’s kit broke, forcing him to borrow the bass drum and snare drum stand from opening act, The Jai-Alai Savant. Frontman Ted Leo and guitarist James Canty took the situation in stride and “jammed,” repeatedly singing the lyric “Tell the bartender I think I’m falling in love,” until Wilson’s kit was fixed.

Leo’s new songs do not stray far from the Pharmacists’ signature peppy pop-punk sound but at least two sped up faster than the usual pace. While the night belonged to Leo’s new material, the Lincoln Hall crowd’s general demeanor went from a zombie-like stillness to instantaneous, but polite, enthusiasm for older songs “Where have all the Rude Boys Gone” from 2003’s Hearts of Oak and “Me and Mia” from 2004’s Shake the Sheets.

Leo was in good humor, bantering back and forth with the crowd about such topics as bonding with an ex-girlfriend’s southern parents and Leo’s home state New Jersey. During the encore Leo accepted a vegan pumpkin loaf from a female fan before launching into two solo covers of songs by Eddie and the Hot Rods and The Waterboys. Leo was rejoined by the Pharmacists for a full-band version of “Little Dawn” from 2004’s Shake the Sheets.

Despite the crowd’s lack of excitement during most of the show, the Pharmacists soldiered on, sounding clean and crisp the entire night. Lincoln Hall was the perfect venue and Ted Leo and The Pharmacists, with their fast and loud brand of rock, proved to be the perfect band to test Lincoln Hall’s sound system for its official opening night. Combined with flattering track lighting and excellent views from either the balcony or main floor, Lincoln Hall is destined to become one of Chicago’s best live music venues.