On a rainy Tuesday night, Mt. Joy brought their signature indie folk-rock sound to an eager crowd at Ascend Amphitheater. A 1.5-hour weather delay only heightened the crowd’s anticipation as the band combined their usual two sets and encore into one extended performance. Despite the gloomy atmosphere, the band lit up the stage with a warmth that led to dancing in unison and singing ringing out through the storm.
Opening with their new single “Highway Queen,” featuring Maren Morris, the band set the tone for a setlist filled with fan favorites, covers and originals spanning across all three of their studio albums: “Mt. Joy,” “Rearrange Us” and “Orange Blood.” During the concert, we were introduced to the five-member band, which originated in Philadelphia: Matt Quinn (lead vocals), Sam Cooper (lead guitar), Sotiris Eliopoulos (drums), Jackie Miclau (keyboard) and Michael Byrnes (bass).
Mt. Joy brought both Jesse Welles and Lindsey Stirling to the stage as special guests. Welles joined them to cover “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Regardless of whether the song was planned in the setlist ahead of time, it certainly fit the scene. Stirling joined Mt. Joy on the violin for “Dirty Love.” Her solos, sprinkled throughout the song, showcased her talent and added excitement to an already magical set.
Despite the weather, the sound was impeccable, and the amphitheater’s acoustics helped the music resonate through the damp air. The rain seemed to amplify the emotion behind songs like “Julia” and “Bathroom Light” which is “a song about falling in love in the bathroom.” They also played two of my personal favorites, “I’m Your Wreck” and “Rearrange Us.”
The night closed with electrifying performances of two of their most popular songs: “Astrovan,” which everyone jumped and danced to, refusing to let the weather dampen their spirits, and “Silver Lining,” where Mt. Joy expressed their love for Nashville and that they’ll “be back really soon.” To me, it was more than just a concert — it was a showcase of how music can bring people together, rain or shine.
