Following a string of six sold-out shows in major cities, including LA, Houston, Atlanta, and Brooklyn, 18-year-old breakout artist Riovaz brought the ‘RIORAVE’ to Chicago venue Schubas for a high-energy, tour-closing show. Arriving on February 25th, the night after his new EP, Disturb The Norm, was released by Darkroom/Geffen Records, the young artist had a lot to celebrate as he took the stage to a roaring crowd of rabid fans that were chanting his name in anticipation.

Despite the internet’s proliferation, Riovaz’s viral rise is still truly uncommon and impressive. Starting to create music in his early teen years, his breakthrough moment arrived with his song “Prom Night,” which he first uploaded on SoundCloud. At just 15 years old, the New Jersey native soon discovered what it means to have an explosive hit on his hands. Three years later, with the song now clocking in at over 130 million Spotify streams and still very popular on TikTok, it’s safe to say Riovaz is quickly becoming one of the newest voices of his generation.

With music that falls between alt-drum & bass, lo-fi anti-pop, and hints of punk rock, Riovaz is clearly having fun as he explores and develops his sound, evidenced by his latest 8-track release, which sees the artist expanding his sonic palette and songwriting. While his live show is a carefree and exciting scene, with teens and young adults moshing, dancing, and screaming for Riovaz, his lyrics reveal introspective thoughts surely resonating with people trying to figure out the complexities of navigating relationships, heartbreak, and becoming the person you’re meant to be.

Watch “Hypnotized” ft. skaiwater

Regardless of the song that played, fans seemed to know every single word and unabashedly made it known at Schubas. Riovaz bounced from “Yellow Jacket” off his 2020 EP, Into The Unknown, to his latest singles, “Hypnotized,” featuring skaiwater and “U Neva” with ease, as everyone in attendance did whatever they could to capture a glimpse of the energy on their 2000s flip phones, camcorders, and disposable cameras, a welcomed vibe and aesthetic revival courtesy of gen-z.

Jumping around on stage, hyping the crowd to make a pit, and singing his lungs out, Riovaz was unstoppable. Playing “Prom Night” mid-set rather than as the encore, Riovaz made it clear he has his sight set on the future and new releases that sound crisper and are just as sticky earworms as his massive hit, like “Tantrum (Pace Yourself)” and “You’re a Parasite.” Closing the show by asking fans what song they wanted to hear, almost every song not already played was yelled back, ultimately landing on “see u there.” While the set was relatively short, the ‘RIORAVE’ was exactly what anyone would need to understand the hype behind this new digital era phenom. Check out some photos from the show below and stream Riovaz’s new EP, Disturb The Norm.

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