S. Holden Jaffe, better known as Del Water Gap, kicked off his worldwide “Chasing The Chimera” tour with a sold-out show at The Ritz Raleigh on Thursday night, Jan. 15. As the first of 42 stops, the crowd eagerly waited to experience the never-before-seen set.
The tour follows the Nov. 7, 2025 release of Jaffe’s third studio album as a solo artist. The title “Chasing The Chimera” refers to the Greek mythical creature that breathes fire and is part lion, goat, and serpent. It symbolizes contradiction, transformation, and pursuing seemingly impossible goals. The album in its entirety embodies that feeling, setting the tone for the performance.
Hannah Jadagu
Opening the night was indie bedroom-pop artist Hannah Jadagu. Originally from Texas, she began creating and releasing music in high school using GarageBand on her iPhone 7. Jadagu continued making music throughout her time attending New York University, and she released her debut album “Aperture.” She performed songs from that project, including “Lose,” “Warning Signs,” and “Say It Now.” Her honest lyrics carried through to her sophomore album “Describe” with tracks like “Normal Day” and “My Love.” The set successfully showcased the sincerity that defines her music and engaged the audience with her introspective tone.
Horse with Bowl Cut
Del Water Gap cannot be discussed without mentioning the horse with bowl cut logo. Originally sketched on a napkin at a café as a joke, Jaffe ended up selling the napkin to a fan. It was beloved by many and eventually became the emblem often seen on his merch and setlists. I had to visit the iconic pink neon sign at the back of the venue for myself, where it sat like a good luck charm.
Del Water Gap
Lights flash as Del Water Gap and the band emerge through the fog to start with “Small Town Joan of Arc,” a song that captures the meaning of the album title. As the haze in the venue settled, we saw Jaffe dressed in a long black leather trench coat. Pulling from his self-titled debut album, he performs “Sorry I Am” and one of my personal favorites, “Better Than I Know Myself.”
Smooth brass and strings are throughout “Please Follow,” “Doll House,” and “New Personality.” The audience swayed, jumped, and sang along as the band really leaned into the rhythm of each song. The energy stayed through “Ghost In the Uniform,” a track that, for me, translated even better live.
“NFU” is from the deluxe version of his second album, “I Miss You Already + I Haven’t Left Yet.” Although it is about the aftermath of a heartbreak, it turned into a playful and interactive performance as Jaffe selected someone at the barricade to be in charge of a button that changed the stage lights. The crowd continued to have fun through “Marigolds” and “Beach House.”
For yearners, I would definitely recommend the next part of the setlist. “High Tops,” a single from 2018, which gained him a lot of popularity. “Waiting On The Day” and “Eastside Girls” kept the themes of unrequited love and longing. During this part of the concert, Jaffe was sitting on a stool when it became the perfect moment for everyone to put their flashlights up, hopefully starting a new tour tradition.
The energy picks back up for “How To Live,” “Coping on Unemployment,” and “All We Ever Do Is Talk” with everyone jumping once again. A memorable visual is Jaffe using a sewing machine to embroider during the song “Damn,” adding a theatrical element. Next was “Perfume,” where Jaffe hops over the barricade to dance alongside the crowd. He ends the night with his biggest song, “Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat,” before taking a bow with his band as the audience cheers.
Del Water Gap thanks the crowd for coming and says, “The biggest rooms on the last tour are smaller than the smallest rooms on this tour.” It truly indicates the growth he has had as an artist and, in turn, his fan base. The setlist effortlessly sprinkled in songs throughout his discography, perfect for those who are new or longtime listeners. The “Chasing The Chimera” tour continues throughout the U.S. and Canada before heading to Europe in early March. Raleigh got an exciting first look and can’t wait to see what else this era has in store.
More photos can be found on Instagram @lylan.b
— Lylan Bui