On the night of September 28th, the electrifying sound of Mt. Joy reverberated through the MGM Music Hall in Boston, setting the stage for two consecutive nights of musical magic. As scenes of mesmerizing psychedelia swirled behind them, a capacity crowd spanning all three tiers of the venue mirrored the energetic movement onstage.
The evening commenced with a bang as the band kicked off their performance with the fan-favorite track, "Sheep." Right from the line outside the venue, the palpable anticipation signaled an unforgettable night ahead. Transitioning seamlessly into "Evergreen" from their latest album, "Orange Blood," the band showcased their versatility and mastery.
While approximately half of their setlist featured songs from their latest album, they also delved into a diverse selection of tracks from their three studio albums. Their lyrical themes ranged from homesickness to the universal experience of "falling in love in a bathroom."
Musical Mastery Onstage
Led by the charismatic Matt Quinn on vocals, the band's chemistry, honed over nearly a decade of performing together, was nothing short of exceptional.
Quinn's rhythm guitar complemented his high school friend Sam Cooper's lead guitar work, with Cooper effortlessly shifting between subtle, complementary riffs and dazzling solos. Quinn, on the other hand, alternated between acoustic and electric guitars and even treated the audience to a ukulele performance.
Backing this dynamic duo was an exceptional rhythm section, featuring Michael Byrnes on bass, drummer Sotiris Eliopoulos, and the keyboard wizardry of Jackie Miclau. Miclau's piano solo was a standout moment, captivating both the band and the audience.
Eliopoulos also had his time to shine with a drum solo reminiscent of the iconic "Drums/Space" segments popularized by the Grateful Dead. A special tribute to one of Quinn's heroes, Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, saw the band seamlessly transition from "Mt.
Joy" into a captivating rendition of "Fire on the Mountain," lasting nearly 10 minutes. This performance had fans of all ages dancing in unison, celebrating the timeless music. Throughout the evening, Mt. Joy skillfully weaved multiple cover songs into their setlist, including an extended medley of "Julia," "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers, and "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley.
Their ability to blend such diverse songs was a testament to their musical prowess and flawless chemistry. As the night drew to a close, Quinn, joined by Cooper and Miclau, delivered a heartfelt rendition of "Bathroom Light," eliciting passionate embraces from the audience.
The band returned for an encore, with the metronomic kick drum of Eliopoulos setting the tempo for their debut single, "Astrovan." After a performance that left the crowd awestruck, there was no way Mt. Joy could exit the stage without delivering an encore, leaving the audience craving for more. The night at MGM Music Hall had been a musical journey filled with emotion, energy, and unforgettable moments.