Del Water Gap: Chasing The Chimera Tour
Article written by and photos by Kili Goodrich
The Chimera is a formidable female monster known in Greek Mythology. She’s often depicted as fire-breathing with a lion’s head, a goat’s body with a head on its back. Also with a serpent tail. This beautiful, fearsome creature represents impossible illusions and chaos. The Chimera is symbolic of destruction. The relevance is paired with Del Water Gap’s third album titled Chasing the Chimera. While I don’t believe the singer has the looks of the Chimera, I do believe that the album is in resonance with the symbolism of pursuing something that is impossible. To reach for perfection that is simply not tangible. Ever.
Chasing the Chimera World Tour made a stop at The Van Buren in Phoenix, Arizona on February twenty-first. While a chimera may feel forever out of reach, Del Water Gap made every feeling feel heightened and, in fact, tangible. For a moment, fans could grip the railing of the barricade, jump on the ground that vibrated with each melody, and swallow every breath that was utterly needed from screaming lyrics. Between fan and the artists, this show was particularly unforgettable.
Smoke clouded the stage. Like the mythical creature, an illusion was created. The stage was draped in white curtains and swallowed in leaking fog. One couldn’t guess what would emerge, but only hoped for the messy, romantic artist Del Water Gap. Fans clung to the hope of the artist who often sings of destructive narratives to break that very illusion—and he did. Stage name, Del Water Gap, behind the charcoal-like black mask that was smeared across his eyes, is S. Holden Jaffe. He appeared like a beacon through shining light breaking into the first song of the night, “Small Town Joan of Arc.”
“Sorry I am,” and “Better Than I Know Myself” were quick after. From being inside the photo pit, I knew the energy was going to be a test of the venue’s structure. Hands were raised high in the air, feet jumped off the ground, and fans sang along to every lyric. This wasn’t my first time witnessing a Del Water Gap concert. I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of the Guppy fan club for years, but it never fails to amaze me how utterly breathtaking a performer Jaffe is. The full venue was decorated with fans with the Horse with a Bowl Cut stapled to clothing or drawn on signs. There was so much celebration shown in outfits that proved how much of a community was brought together by this incredible artist.
At one point in the show, Jaffe asked a fan at the barricade to hold a clicker. Giving them the responsibility and fun to be in control of the lights for the song “NFU.” With light-hearted humor and adoration for his supporters, “Don’t mess it up,” was playfully spoken to the fan. The lighting? Oh, they absolutely crushed it! Following was “Marigolds,” the lighting shifted to the matching warm, deep golden scheme. “Beach House” was a punch to lift the energy again. “High Tops,” is a song fans from day one hold close to their hearts. I used to see you on the sidewalk, standing in your high tops ruining your pretty lungs with your cigarette smoke. It ain't keeping you young. Ringing an ode to a faded, messy, but memorable relationship. “Glitter & Honey” is from Del Water Gap’s 2023 album, I Miss You Already + I Haven’t Left Yet. Much like all of his music, it is absolutely golden. The song drips like honey and feels darkly sensual like wispy curls of smoke.
“Damn” was a highlighted moment. As Jaffe rolled out an embroidery machine during, and tossed his artwork to a lucky fan afterward. During the last half of “Perfume,” the artist joined fans in the crowd. The energy was completely swallowed, just to explode with the tight community of fans that celebrated harder than any other point of the night. The artist closed the night with “Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat.”
The concert was rejuvenating. A moment of soul cleansing. A break from outside life in the world, and a moment to just simply celebrate. It was bittersweet to close the night, but everyone left with more love bursting from their aura. Del Water Gap continues to out shine all expectations. From draped projections, joyous performances, the artist’s work is a constant gift, and we can’t wait to experience more of Del Water Gap in the future!
