Bill Murray, the Bears and the blues created one epic Chicago celebration

Like everyone else in Chicago on Saturday night, Bill Murray was busy watching the Bears.

As the playoff mania swept the city, it trickled down to Thalia Hall in what may have been a first-ever sports delay for a concert. On the ticket was a performance from Bill Murray & his Blood Brothers, a blues supergroup that features the homegrown actor/comedian guesting on vocals and percussion alongside an established band led by award-winning guitarists Albert Castiglia, Mike Zito and multi-instrumentalist Jimmy Vivino (formerly Conan O’Brien’s band leader).

As fans trickled into the Pilsen venue, instead of live music, they were met with a large projection screen set up behind preset drumkits that broadcast the nail-biter of a game. The pivot came as a relief to the many donning Payton, Urlacher, McMahon and Hester jerseys who — like lifelong Bears diehard Murray — wondered how they could possibly focus on a show at a time like this.

“I keep forgetting we are here for the concert,” said a person in the crowd as the room continually erupted in cheers.

There was some half-time entertainment at least, which came courtesy of opener Jimmy Carpenter and his jam band, slated during the game break. “We’re not gonna play ‘Purple Rain’ and hopefully there’s no wardrobe malfunctions,” the saxophonist joked before the troupe tore into originals like “Soul Doctor” and blues staples like “My Babe” by Little Walter.

“Good luck in the second half, we’re gonna turn that s— around,” Carpenter prophesied as he wrapped up his set and the game came back on the screens.

There were rumors that Murray was actually at Soldier Field down the street, but those were quickly quashed as the actor emerged from backstage wearing a Bears hat to take in the final minutes with the rest of the crowd, even leading a singalong of “Bear Down, Chicago Bears” with seconds remaining. Castiglia, too, was dressed for the occasion in a Ditka ’89 jersey.

“You’ve been here for a while tonight, haven’t you?” joked Zito as the band finally got warmed up with their first song of the night, a cover of Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London,” at 10:35 p.m. “This is a pretty f—ing epic night in Chicago!”

Murray’s vocals on the track were remarkably on par, perhaps unexpected for anyone who only knows his singing chops from bits in movies such as “St. Vincent” and “Lost in Translation” or as his “Saturday Night Live” character, Nick the Lounge Singer. His talents also transitioned well into Mel McDaniel’s “Big Ole Brew,” The Kinks’ “Tired of Waiting For You” and a rousing take on ’80s classic “867-5309/Jenny.”

But Murray was not the only star on the stage, and he frequently made that clear by retreating to the background to slide in a range of percussion including maracas, congas and cowbell (which naturally elicited chants of “more cowbell!” from the crowd).

Doing so allowed Zito, Castiglia and Vivino to take center stage for the scorching “Tooth and Nail” (a Zito/Castiglia original), as well as a soulful cover of Prince’s “Little Red Corvette” and a showdown of Junior Walker & the All-Stars’ “Shotgun.” The latter featured a stop-you-in-your-tracks saxophone solo from Carpenter who logged double time in the Blood Brothers band. The eight-member ensemble also features a keyboardist, bassist and dual drummers in addition to the three main guitarists, together providing a thunderous sound that dug deep into the heart of Chicago and Delta blues traditions.

While the Blood Brothers have been around since 2022, the Bill Murray addition is a newer upgrade, established in 2024 after the actor and his siblings featured the group at their Caddyshack Golf Tournament. Murray jumped in for fun, and the undeniable chemistry led to the collaborative project that kicks back up when the actor’s schedule allows and often finds its way to Chicago.

As the group wrapped up the short, 11-song set with a rollicking rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone” (one of Murray’s favorites), it netted the perfect sing-along moment that imbued the celebratory spirit of the night and also gave a little hope that happiness might continue to prevail.

“This is probably the first time this year we’ve had the chance to all snap our fingers together, let’s try it,” Murray prompted, leading the crowd in a moment of unison. “This is going to be a much better year.”

“Tonight’s show was a lot more memorable than any other show,” Zito added, before giving the night’s final parting words, “Go, Bears!”