Recording Artist Jordan Ward brought unrivaled energy to the House of Blues yesterday. Moriah Pettway has the story.
Fans sold out the House of Blues in Chicago on March 15th, as R&B and indie style recording artist Jordan Ward brought energy.
JORDAN WARD: I said Chicago
Before launching his music career, Ward worked as a dancer for artists like Justin Bieber, Beyoncé, Usher and more. But his music took off with his 2023 album Forward which includes songs like FAMJAM4000.
[“FAMJAM4000” Live from the concert]
Driving in from Indiana, fan Tanisha Bledsoe was right behind the barricade, front and center ready for Ward to take the stage.
TANISHA BLEDSOE: I’m most excited to see all the songs he does. See if he does something new I haven’t heard yet. I’m just to see what the setup is as well.
Emerging from a big quilted curtain, Ward serenaded the crowd with his song “STRANGER” off his 2026 album BACKWARD. The curtains opened to a stage designed like a living room, including a sofa chair, lamps, a houseplant, and even a treadmill, fitting the theme of his Apartment Tour.
JORDAN WARD: Thank ya’ll for coming to the Apartment Tour, thank you.
Bledsoe says she appreciates how Ward is true to himself as an artist.
TB: I don’t know. It just seems like he’s his authentic self, like all the time, even in interviews so I love that.
Ward stayed true to his roots as a dancer at the concert. During songs like WHITECROCS, he paused from singing to moonwalk, spin and glide across the stage as the crowd cheered.
[Crowd Screaming as Ward Dances during WHITECROCS]
Frequent concert goer and long-time fan Dee-Ann Delacruz says she likes the way Ward blends deep subjects with an upbeat sound.
DEE-ANN DELACRUZ: I think it’s really easy to kinda let the lyrics dictate the mood, but I think there’s a good contrast of like serious topics with like some levity.
Ward moved between indie tracks like THEMSELVES
[“THEMSELVES” Live]
To showcasing his range and vocal agility in songs like CHAMPION SOUND
[“CHAMPION SOUND” Live]
Ward has a few more shows of the Apartment Tour left in the United States before he brings the love abroad in April.
JW: Thank you, Chicago
For WNUR News, I’m Moriah Pettway
