Cartel Proves Chroma Still Shines 20 Years Later at St. Andrews Hall
Last night at St. Andrews Hall in Detroit, Cartel returned to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Chroma, and the night felt like a full circle moment for me. I was at the 10th anniversary show at this very same venue, and walking back into the hall brought a flood of memories. A decade ago, I was standing in nearly the same spot, hearing these songs live in celebration of their first big milestone. To be back again, ten years later, with the band still giving everything they’ve got, was both nostalgic and surreal.
The performance itself was everything you’d hope for in a record-anniversary show. Cartel played Chroma front to back, and the crowd never stopped singing along. There was this unique electricity in the room fans who had clearly grown up with the album, yet still knew every lyric by heart. The energy never dipped, from the opening track to the final chorus, with St. Andrews echoing like it did all those years ago.
The highlight for me came with “Say Anything.” It’s always been my personal favorite from the record, and live it hit harder than ever. Hearing it again, in the same room where I’d first experienced it a decade earlier, was an emotional rush. It reminded me why Chroma still feels timeless, and why Cartel remains such an important band for so many of us. Last night wasn’t just about looking back it was proof that these songs still live and breathe, twenty years on.
