Jelly Roll celebrated the release of his highly anticipated album, Beautifully Broken, with a sold-out show at Chicago’s United Center.
On Friday, Oct. 11, the multi-genre superstar made a grand entrance just a few minutes after 9 PM. The crowd’s attention was directed toward the floor where Jelly Roll and his wife, Bunnie XO, were seen making their way through the sea of screaming fans until he reached the b-stage at the back of the arena. After sharing a kiss with his other half, he stepped up on the platform, soaked in the palpable energy around him, and began his 20-song set with the deeply personal and “therapeutic” track, “I Am Not Okay.”
This stop on the Beautifully Broken tour was destined to be memorable, but there was no way to predict just how incredible it would be for Jelly Roll and his fans in the Windy City. For starters, the production level was nothing short of spectacular, with its stunning display of visuals including a light-up skull, a bejeweled crown, and a massive rosary hung from the ceiling – all of which paid tribute to his newest album. The dynamic stage setup, combined with the sound of Jelly Roll’s authentic vocals and stellar backup singers, truly enhanced the storytelling throughout the evening.
The set list brought fans on a journey of fan-favorites, spanning albums including 2020’s A Beautiful Disaster, 2021’s Ballads of the Broken, 2023’s Whitsitt Chapel, and of course, Beautifully Broken plus the surprise six-song deluxe edition, Beautifully Broken (Pickin’ Up The Pieces). The hard-hitting tune “Halfway to Hell” evoked a massive sing-along before Jelly Roll declared he was turning the United Center into a honky tonk with new songs like “Get By” and “Burning.”
