Toledo at Schuba’s Tavern – Not From Ohio Tour (2025)
Photo by LUCY NGUYEN
Two years after their first headlining tour, How It Ends (2023), Toledo returned for their Not From Ohio Tour (2025) to promote their newest EP release, Inertia. Consisting of members Daniel Alvarez de Toledo and Jordan Dunn-Pilz, the duo was joined on tour by Gui on bass and Carr Bonner on drums.
The band began their tour on November 5, 2025, and I had the opportunity to attend their third stop in Chicago at Schuba’s Tavern.
Fall leaves adorned the microphone stand, adding a charming, autumnal touch to the stage. Promptly at 9 PM, Toledo began their set. The lights shifted to red and blue, illuminating them from behind, as the melodic loop of “Challenger” began with Daniel and Jordan singing the song’s ad-libs. Throughout their performance, you could see the sparkle in their eyes and their smiles widen as the crowd’s energy matched their own.
Next came one of my favorite songs from their Jockeys of Love EP, “Dog Has Its Day.” This track captures the emotion of finally speaking out about something you’ve been holding back—to take action rather than letting things slip away. My favorite part of the song is the guitar section between verses one and two, and witnessing Jordan play that catchy guitar melody live was an incredible experience.
The light melody of “Que Pasa” echoed through the crowd before Toledo transitioned seamlessly into “Crane Song.” The lighting deepened to solid red as they sang the intro, their voices blending beautifully. Both members support each other effortlessly, and their dynamic vocal interplay is truly outstanding. Midway through “Crane Song,” the addition of drums amped up the energy, getting the crowd dancing. The following track, “Jesus Bathroom,” from their 2024 Popped Heart EP, kept that momentum going, with fans moving and cheering along. “Zelda” was the first song of the night from Inertia, and it did not disappoint. It had an intimate, dreamlike moment, showcasing the guitar’s light melody and layered vocal harmonies. Shortly after came “When He Comes Around,” a perfect contrast that highlighted Toledo’s versatility. At this point, they began engaging further with the crowd; a game of copycat ensued — staccato “Woohs” went back and forth between the duo and the crowd.
Photo by LUCY NGUYEN
“L-Train” followed—a reflective yet comforting song about feeling lost and rediscovering oneself. The lights shifted to a solid blue as Toledo poured their hearts into the performance, the intensity building with each verse. Jordan nailed the high note at the end, earning an eruption of applause. For “Knot,” Gui and Carr stepped offstage, leaving Daniel and Jordan to deliver a moving, stripped-down rendition. The track, which portrays the rawness of a breakup, was emotionally charged. As the song built up, Gui and Carr returned to finish it with power and grace.
Next came an unreleased song, beginning with an attention-grabbing drumbeat and an opening “Whoa.” This untitled track stood out with its contrasting, experimental sounds—hinting at a bold, evolving direction for Toledo’s music. The set continued with “The Cause,” “Flake,” “Hot Stuff,” and “In Yr Head (1818),” each exploring themes of childhood nostalgia, personal growth, and the complex relationship between past and present. The lighting shifted to match the tone of each song—solid red for slower numbers, a red-and-blue mix for mid-tempo songs, and solid blue for the upbeat tracks—creating a rich, immersive atmosphere.
Photo by LUCY NGUYEN
During “Sunday Funday,” the crowd swayed together, arms waving in sync with the beat. Soon, the entire audience joined in clapping along. The band’s smiles grew wider as they fed off the crowd’s energy, and their eyes sparkled under the lights. Toledo closed the night with fan favorite “Some Samurai.” The cheers grew louder as they began, both members jamming across the stage while the crowd sang every word. The red and blue lights returned, framing a perfect finale as their harmonies intertwined beautifully.
I first began listening to Toledo about three years ago, and it was such an incredible experience watching their performance live. Their energy, sincerity, and musical chemistry made the night unforgettable. Toledo truly has a talent for making every song and performance full of emotional authenticity, dynamic versatility, and, of course, the intimacy of this concert was truly unmatched.
Check out the full show gallery here.