The Music of Stranger Things Live: Review

Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein performed the music of Stranger Things at the Athenaeum Theatre on Friday, March 30th, bringing the dark and mysterious world of Hawkins and the Upside Down to Chicago.

All photos by Sonya Lee Photos

The duo, who are part of the Texas-based electronic band S U R V I V E and are also the composers of the soundtrack for the Netflix hit Stranger Things, brought the score of the show to life at their concert. Without any opening, the night was focused solely on Dixon and Stein.

The performance itself was both a unique visual and auditory sensory experience, the dark stage illuminated only by strings of florescent tube lights and smoke. The gritty and haunting sounds from the Stranger Things score reverberated throughout the theater, echoing the haunting melodies of the show throughout the audience. Their setlist included some of the major tracks from the show's soundtrack, including the show's theme song, "Birth/ Rescue," "Walkin in Hawkins," "Eulogy," and "The Upside Down."

Though the performance was spectacular, there are still areas that can be improved upon. There were a few times during the live set when an ill-timed smoke machine sounded louder than the music, taking your attention away from the performance. And while the music of Stranger Things can be thematically distinct, oftentimes due to its heavy synths and distortion, there are many tracks that do not quite stand out individually. There are a number of tracks from the score that can be indistinguishable on its own. Additionally, it would've been nice to see some more memorable props from the series or even show reels in the background.

However, the performance overall is breathtaking and one that is definitely worth experiencing firsthand. Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein's live performance of the Stranger Things soundtrack is a definite must-see for any fan of the series!