On September 18th, Role Model (Tucker Pillsbury) brought “Chuck on Tour” to Minneapolis’s Armory in support of “Chuck Timely and the Hourglass,” released in August. While he had opened at the venue for Gracie Abrams, this was his first time headlining – and he packed the house out.

Fans clad in pink and yellow filled the room and waited impatiently for the singer to perform. Pillsbury’s stage setup was simple: instruments for each member of the band and custom lighting, but no snazzy backdrops or props like other artists who headline at this scale. His charisma and humor ruled the roost as he made the crowd cackle in between hits like “High Hopes 3000” and “Sally When the Wine Runs Out.”

Two fan projects stole the show: signs during “Good Thing” and colored lights during “Chasing Midnight.” Fans united to create a beautiful spectacle and fill the space with love and intention.

Minnesota also got a special treat – “Slipfast” was replaced with “Honeydew,” a sentimental fan favorite from the new album, for the first and only time thus far on the tour, drawing a great roar from the audience. Ultimately, the highlight of the show was when Pillsbury sang “Love I You” and drops to the barricade to duet with a lucky fan, a moment that gets plastered on social media after every show.

The artist repeatedly checked to make sure fans were doing ok as waving flashlights and pointing hands drew his attention, encouraging fans to drink water throughout the night. Everyone felt cared for by the venue staff and the artists on stage. Pillsbury’s vocals matched those of his studio recordings to a T. Each song sounded better than the last, and his infectious stage energy made it impossible for fans to have a bad time. All in all, the Armory was full of happy people, all chasing midnight.

Written and photographed by Maria Stellmach