Jordan Ward Makes Fans Feel at Home at Chicago Stop of 'The Apartment' Tour
- Anaïs Turiello
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 13 hours ago
When you look up the name "Jordan Ward," you are instantly struck not only with his vocal and lyrical ability, but the stage presence he wields and the sheer power he gains when placed beneath a spotlight. Before even stepping foot into the venue, I knew the show would be high energy yet communal— and so it was.
Hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, the 31-year-old singer, songwriter, and dancer, Jordan Ward gained initial attention with his smashing 2023 debut studio album, FORWARD. Having been a backup dancer for artists such as Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Becky G, Janet Jackson, and Usher, Ward decided to step into the foreground and share with audiences a much broader scope of his
talents, leaving many eagerly anticipating more.
On January 30, 2026, Ward released his sophomore record, BACKWARD, receiving widespread critical acclaim and instant fan adoration, with tracks such as 'THEMSELVES' and 'SMOKING POTNA' already racking up over two million streams.
In mid-February, Ward kicked off his North American 'The Apartment' tour in Vancouver, BC, giving fans an opportunity to celebrate in the album release with him. After closing out the North American tour at the end of March, he is set to take the music overseas to play 5 shows in the United Kingdom.
At the House of Blues in Chicago, fans ascend a steep and ornate staircase before being greeted by a room packed body to body and jittering with anticipation— the kind of excitement that does not always come naturally on a rainy Sunday evening. Shuffling around are fans wearing older merch of Ward's, showcasing their almost prophetic dedication.
It was not long before Ward, to the boom of an orchestral chorus, appears in front of a curtain that seems to go on for miles, mimicking the style and design of a grandmother's quilt. Alone and beneath a singular spotlight, he opens with 'STRANGER.' A colorful and angelic sight that could stand to be frozen forever in a painting, it disappears as quickly as it came, as Ward grabs an acoustic guitar, transitioning smoothly into 'NOISY NEIGHBORS.' The curtain lifts.
The stage sits below a cool blue light which fades to a warm and welcoming yellow, emphasizing the set design, which mimics a modest and comfortable apartment setting. It's open and cozy but not overwhelming. In an effortlessly effective manner, Ward is able to greet, command and hype up the audience as he exclaims, "Welcome to the spot! Let's have a house party tonight!" The audience is nothing but responsive. It is a power he maintains steadily the entire evening.
Ward is reactive and receptive to the crowd in a way that feels like a mutual flow of energy, as he harmonizes with them for fan-favorite songs such as 'SMOKING POTNA.' He, however, keeps everyone in the room guessing, unsure of what to expect next. With seamless mashups and thematic transitions between tracks, the enticement never waivers. He ranges from acoustic-heavy tracks such as 'CHANGE OF SCENERY,' draped and glittering with dreamy keys to songs like 'CUTTI,' which highlight his rapping abilities, emphasized by the occasional raspiness in his tone and heavy bass vibrating the floor. Even from the very back row, it shakes even the sturdiest of knees.
Breathless songs such as 'SIDEKICK' sound effortless and poised, made even more impressive as he shows off his professional dancing skills while he sings in tandem— a talent he leaned on throughout the evening, and which only made the production more impressive. With vocals never wavering in steadiness, he sounds the same if not better than the studio tracks. While jumping and dancing, he is able to hit notes that many even veteran singers would find the need to turn to brief statues for.
Ward's ability to wield such captivating control over his audience is evident and mesmerizing, because while he maintains this charismatic engagement, he also makes each show-goer feel like a friend, just there to visit their friend's apartment and listen to music they enjoy together. It is as communal as it is entertaining and as uplifting as it is exciting.
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