Mt Joy brought their anthemic sound to Ascend Amphitheater delivering a performance that captivated every soul in the crowd. The Philadelphia-based band, known for their soulful blend of indie folk, rock, and a hint of psychedelia, had a rain delay but that did not stop them from giving such a performance proving they are one of the most compelling acts in the music scene. From the moment remnants of “Highway Queen” started to fill the air, life was breathed back into fans after the two-hour delay. Fans soon forgot about the inconvenience and went right into the moment. Everyone’s energy was infectious. You could feel just the music and the love right from the beginning. You have to keep yourself from smiling and dancing.
The versatility of this group just invokes this feeling in you. It sounds funny, and maybe quite insane to the average person, but you are just happy to be there. It is as plain as that. Your soul is filled with gratitude for everything around you: life, music, and friends. No matter who you looked at, it was evident that they felt it in some capacity. The one dreaded statement a music fan could hear is an announcement of a special guest. The curious eyes scan the room, looking at each other in excitement to see who it could be. It’s a phrase that allows anxiety and excitement to settle in the crowd. Concert-goers were privileged to have not only one but two special guests on this rainy evening. Jesse Welles, a folk-punk singer-songwriter, came on stage and sang “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” by CCR with Quinn. Yet somehow, Jesse’s voice cut through all of that, with a bittersweet sincerity that felt perfectly in tune with the moment. And yes, Jesse, we saw the rain. We can attest to that. But, that rain never even mattered after the second guest, Lindsey Stirling, gave a euphoric performance of “Dirty Love” with keyboardist Jackie Miclau accompanying her. Miclau matches Stirling's ethereal performance note for note, creating an incredible interplay between keys and strings.
A band like Mt Joy consistently proves why music is one of the best entities a human could ever have. It is a magical testament to realize that these random people can make such sounds to unite a bunch of strangers. There is so much beauty and vulnerability within that. Their music, itself, provides a fleeting feeling of being seen. Fans knew every single word, singing them like there was never a care in the world. The communal energy of their shows will always be indescribable- there’s something special about the way Mt. Joy’s music can connect people, making strangers feel like long-lost friends. Music will constantly find the good in every soul. At the end day, we are all connected through energy and music continues to prove that every single day.
- Gabrielle Sanchez
Photos Courtesy of Lillie Hollabaugh (For Bell Music Magazine)
