The tour might be over, but Mt. Joy’s reign has just begun. The Los Angeles based indie rock band is having a busy year, wrapping up their headlining tour with Wilderado over the weekend and supporting other artists like The 1975, Catfish & the Bottlemen, White Reaper, and Judah & the Lion through the end of 2019. They stopped by Phoenix’s Crescent Ballroom on Saturday night for some good times and a little preview of their next album.

First up was Wilderado, the indie folk four-piece: “We’re just four dudes,” they downplay their project. But beneath the humble exterior is an eagerness to share, such as explaining how the poem, “A Gradual Canticle for Augustine” by Tabitha King inspired their single “Surefire.” Their Tulsa roots shine through in chilled-out tracks that pair with a diverse range of genres but especially with the folk-tinged sounds of Mt. Joy.  

Mt. Joy was named after a mountain near Philadelphia where both guitar players grew up, and it’s fitting to name the band after what brought them all together. Life, circumstances, and day jobs as lawyers kept the members apart, but they’ve since thrown caution to the wind and began pursuing music full time. It has been rewarding so far: millions of streams and an ever-expanding fanbase point to future opportunities, such as direct support on The Lumineers’ spring 2020 tour. 

The warmth Mt. Joy brings to every room is hard to ignore, and the sold out show was further proof that we can always use more feel-good energy. Atlas basked in the glow on Saturday night.

Check out photos from the show!
Photos by Kristen Bourdeau