Mt. Joy rolled into New York City for a highly-anticipated album release party show at the historic Bowery Ballroom. If you wonder how highly-anticipated it was, on fan noted how tickets were approaching nearly $400 on the resale market. The band took to Twitter to dissuade fans from buying them and reminding fans they will be back in September in a bigger room.
“Don’t let scalpers win” the band then pointed that if anything spend their money on a new set of headphones to enjoy the release of their new album ‘Orange Blood‘ which is set to release on June 17th.
Despite the band discouraging fans to buy tickets at those prices, some fans still did. However, those that did, I would argue that they got their moneys worth. Mt. Joy put on an incredible show and fans were able to listen to some songs from the new album as the band played them for the first time.
The band started the set with their recent single and title track of their new album ‘Orange Blood.’ Following the song lead singer Matt Quinn announced to the sold-out room that the band would be doing something they have never done before and playing the album all the way through as it appears on the record. Fans erupted in applause and the Ballroom floor felt like it transformed to friends excitingly showing you their new project in a pretty intimate setting.
Mt. Joy
The band then went on to play the next nine songs of their ten track album Orange Blood in a row. Fans heard the third track ‘Roly Poly’ as the band played it for fans for the first time. They got the behind the scenes story of the bands inside joke that led to the writing of ‘The Johnson Song,’ and got to sing along to the previously releases singles they knew with ‘Lemon Tree’ and ‘Bathroom Light.’ It was truly special to witness the songs played as they are intended to be listened to.
Mt. Joy frontman Matt Quinn did acknowledge the challenge that playing a show as the album sits was however. He noted that you make an album for someone sitting and listening on their own and that creating a setlist for a live show is an art. So it felt unnatural for the band going from a high energy song to a lesser pace and not having the same curation in a live show that they normally do.
Despite Monday’s show being the first time some of these songs were performed live the concert still had the elements you love from a Mt. Joy live show. The keys played by Jackie Miclau shined throughout the night as she played a bit on both a keyboard, and the piano. ‘Ruins’ a song familiar to fans that have followed the band for years made it on to the new album, Quinn explained how the band wrote it a few years ago but it never made an album and they eventually stopped playing it out of fear it sucks. It definitely didn’t suck and brought a truly electric solo for each member of the band, especially lead guitarist Sam Cooper.
Mt. Joy – Top 5 Live Act
The final note of ‘Bathroom Light’ faded out due to a microphone issue, but the band came right back and the instantly recognizable beginning piano notes of ‘Strangers’ rang throughout the venue. The new album was played in its entirety and it was time for some crowd favorites.
I wrote this after seeing the band at Shaky Knees Festival, and feel it even stronger after celebrating their new album live with them on Monday, Mt. Joy is one of the best live acts touring today. Easily a top five live band. They have it all with the shining vocals of Matt Quinn, insane guitar riffs from Sam Cooper, what Jackie Miclau does on the keys elevates the band and its live act to another level, then you add Sotiris Eliopoulos on drums, and Michael Byrnes on bass and its special.
Most importantly though Mt. Joy creates space for each member of the band to shine. At different times throughout the night you will find yourself astonished by what one member of the band is doing. You can’t get what you get at a Mt. Joy live show anywhere else. Have I mentioned the visuals? Sonically the band is top notch, but visually what they do is impeccable as well. I don’t know what it is like to have synesthesia and feel that I can see music, but Mt. Joy’s live act at times made me feel like I could. The band is special and one of the best bands touring today.
Don’t miss the exciting release of their new album ‘Orange Blood’ on June 17th. Discover the magic of their live act on tour this fall by getting tickets here.
Check out more from Mt. Joy on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
