Syd Taylor struts her stuff at Chicago’s Lincoln Hall
On February 25th, I made my way to Lincoln Hall, eager to listen to Syd Taylor, who I found out about through Instagram (just a few weeks ago, an ad for her album randomly popped up on my Instagram feed). I was immediately intrigued by her retro sound (not to mention Taylor’s aesthetic reminded me of the late Ronnie Spector).
Syd Taylor made her music debut in 2024 with her single “Love of Your Life” and - shortly after featuring on Toronto musician, Dabin’s, 2025 album - Taylor independently released her debut album, “After the Fact”, that same year.
Spotlight on her, Syd Taylor strut her way onstage, donning a silver sequined bodysuit along with black, lace patterned tights. “Hi!” she said into the mic. Her jet black hair pulled back -loosely secured into a soft, messy bun. “My name is Syd Taylor. Thank you for coming out here tonight”. Taylor also thanked her tour mate, Goldie Boutilier, for inviting her to open for Boutilier’s own “King Of Possibilities” Tour.
Taylor commended herself -poised as she began her set, punctuating with hand gestures as she sang. “If you're gonna love me better love me right / And if you're gonna hold me better hold me tight. And if you're gonna lose me you can do it tonight / So I can kick your @$$ to the back of the line” she sassed on her debut album’s title track. Taylor knows what she wants and isn’t here to play.
The artist turned up the rock n roll factor on “Time to Go!” as she warned in the song’s chorus, “You better run, run, run, 'cause I told you so / You better run, run, run, 'cause it's time to go / You bеtter run, run, run, 'cause it’s time to go”. When Syd Taylor commands you to run, you better go!, go!, GO!
“You’re amazing!” a young woman peppered throughout the audience from time to time, to which Taylor smiled sweetly, grateful. There was lively crowd participation during the Pat Benatar-esq. “You’re a Woman” and once Taylor closed the set with the sultry mid tempo “Heaven”, we all felt blessed to be in Ms. Syd Taylor’s presence that evening.