The Chicago hardcore community is coming together to celebrate the life of late Harms Way guitarist Bo Lueders with a unique memorial concert set to take place inside one of the city’s most historic cemeteries.
On August 29th, Harms Way will host what they’re calling a “memorial gathering under the Chicago stars” at Bohemian National Cemetery, marking the band’s first known live performance since Lueders passed away on April 2nd at the age of 38 (per Loudwire).
Joining Harms Way for the emotional evening will be fellow hardcore heavyweights Twitching Tongues, Weekend Nachos, The Killer and Linda Claire.
The inclusion of Twitching Tongues carries extra significance, with vocalist Colin Young having worked alongside Lueders as co-host of the popular HardLore podcast. Together, the pair helped turn HardLore: Stories From Tour into one of hardcore’s most respected interview platforms, speaking with musicians, wrestlers and personalities from across the scene.
Fans also noticed that Fleshwater was tagged in promotional material announcing the event, despite not appearing on the official lineup, no explanation has been given, but some have speculated it may reference the band’s song ‘Linda Claire’ rather than hinting at a surprise performance.
Bohemian National Cemetery
Located on Chicago’s North Side, Bohemian National Cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as the final resting place for nearly 120,000 people. Although hosting a hardcore show inside a cemetery might sound unusual, the location has become an unlikely cultural venue over the past decade, previously welcoming artists including Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Blood Incantation and Kim Gordon.
It’s currently unknown whether the cemetery held any personal significance for Lueders or his family, beyond celebrating his life, the event will also support several local organisations. Through PLUS1, three dollars from every ticket sold will be donated to The Night Ministry, Chicago Recovery Alliance and Hope For The Day, helping fund mental health services, housing support and harm reduction initiatives throughout Chicago.
Lueders was a founding member of Harms Way when the band formed in 2006, helping transform what began as a side project into one of hardcore’s defining modern acts across seven studio albums.
Following his passing, Harms Way vocalist James Pligge encouraged fans to cherish the people closest to them, writing that “there is nothing more important than family and friends” and reminding everyone to “call them, see them and make plans with them.”
Tickets for the memorial show go on sale July 31st at 10am CT through Harms Way’s website.
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