Latter Celebrates Breakout Year with Lincoln Hall Show

Chicago posthardcore band Latter to headline anti-Valentine's Day concert after viral hit and acclaimed EP release.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 2:23pm

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Chicago duo Latter, known for their unrelentingly heavy posthardcore sound, are celebrating a breakout year with a headlining show at Lincoln Hall. After front woman Meredith Haines moved to Chicago from Philadelphia's punk scene and connected with drummer Jon Alvarado, the band released their acclaimed 2024 debut album "My Body Is My Sickness" and found a wider audience with their viral 2025 single "I Don't Owe You." Now Latter is set to headline a stacked lineup at an anti-Valentine's Day concert, marking their rise from the city's underground to a must-see live act.

Why it matters

Latter's story represents the resilience of Chicago's music scene, with the band finding success after Haines relocated and connected with Alvarado. Their blend of visceral posthardcore and themes of physical vulnerability have resonated with a growing fanbase, showcasing the enduring appeal of guitar-driven rock music.

The details

On their self-released July 2026 EP "What Lives Inside of Me," Latter displays a self-consuming force, with Haines' acerbic guitars and shredded shrieks driving their unrelentingly heavy sound. The band formed after Haines, who had previously worked in Philadelphia's punk scene, moved to Chicago just before the pandemic and pursued a master's degree in sound arts at Northwestern University. There, she drifted away from rock towards experimental sound art under the name Mair, but never lost her desire for more straightforward guitar music. Haines found her Latter bandmate in drummer Jon Alvarado of Beach Bunny through an Instagram post, and the duo's first album "My Body Is My Sickness" expanded on Haines' themes of chronic illness and physical vulnerability. But it was the raw, grungy performance of their 2025 single "I Don't Owe You" that earned Latter tens of thousands of new followers on social media.

  • Latter released their self-titled EP "What Lives Inside of Me" in July 2026.
  • Haines moved to Chicago from Philadelphia just before the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Latter's first album "My Body Is My Sickness" was released in 2024.
  • Haines shared a clip of Latter performing "I Don't Owe You" on social media on Valentine's Day 2025.
  • Latter's Lincoln Hall show is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026.

The players

Latter

A Chicago-based posthardcore duo consisting of front woman Meredith Haines and drummer Jon Alvarado.

Meredith Haines

The front woman of Latter, who previously worked in Philadelphia's punk scene before moving to Chicago and pursuing a master's degree in sound arts at Northwestern University.

Jon Alvarado

The drummer of Latter, who previously played with the band Beach Bunny.

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What they’re saying

“Latter play posthardcore the way an avalanche crosses the street. On their self-released July EP, the unrelentingly heavy What Lives Inside of Me, Latter play with self-consuming force—their acerbic guitars and the pugnacious, shredded shrieks of front woman Meredith Haines make them sound like they've pushed themselves far beyond their breaking point.”

— Leor Galil, Author (chicagoreader.com)

What’s next

Latter's Lincoln Hall show on February 7, 2026 is expected to be a highlight of their breakout year, as the band celebrates their viral success and acclaimed new material.

The takeaway

Latter's story demonstrates the resilience and creativity of Chicago's music scene, as the band found success by blending visceral posthardcore with themes of physical vulnerability after Haines relocated to the city. Their growing fanbase and viral hit single show the enduring appeal of guitar-driven rock music.