Article and Photos by: Sarah Todd
Raleigh, NC — The Midnight brought their signature synthwave sound to Raleigh’s The Ritz on September 29, 2024, as part of a co-headlining tour with Chromeo. Girl Ultra kicked off the night with a soulful mix of synth-infused R&B, warming up the crowd before the main acts took the stage. Her energy set a mellow, yet engaging tone for the evening, priming the audience for The Midnight’s much-anticipated performance.
The Midnight was welcomed by a wave of excitement from the audience as they took the stage, opening with “Days of Thunder” to the delight of everyone in attendance. Noticeably absent was founding member Tim McEwan, though the band released a statement earlier this year that he would be taking time off from touring to focus on their new album. Though his absence from their live show was felt, it didn’t dampen the band’s energy. In his place, Kwesi “Ayokwe” Robinson on drums was a seamless addition to their lineup, infusing the band’s sound with a fresh energy. As always, frontman Tyler Lyle delivered an emotionally resonant performance, captivating the crowd with his vocals. Lelia Broussard, who juggled backing vocals, bass, and guitar duties, was equally impressive, her rapport with Lyle adding to the group’s charisma on stage. Royce Whittaker, on both keys and guitar, also stood out, contributing to the band’s layered sound.
Saxophonist Justin Klunk stole the show (he always does), particularly during his unexpected foray into the audience during a fan-favorite, “Jason.” His sax solos get everyone dancing and cheering, moving many to play along with him on their “air” saxophones (or the blow-up instruments the band sells at their merch table). Cheesy? Who cares. It’s a whole lot of fun.
Though the setlist was a bit shorter than usual due to the co-headlining spot, they played many of their beloved songs — “Vampires,” “Los Angeles,” “Gloria” to name a few, as well as “Shadows” and a new song “Chariot,” in celebration of the band’s new graphic novel, The Midnight: Shadows.
Chromeo followed The Midnight with their signature brand of funky, electro-pop anthems, energizing the room with their infectious beats. Their set, filled with talkbox vocals, groovy basslines, and retro synths, made for an all-around good time. Though stylistically different from The Midnight, the pairing worked surprisingly well, with Chromeo’s upbeat, party vibe providing a fun contrast to The Midnight’s more introspective synthwave sound. Both bands brought unique energy to the night, making it a memorable evening for fans of both genres.
The Midnight/Chromeo tour will be wrapping up later this month, and if you have a chance to check them out, RUN to get your tickets! This is a show you won’t want to miss.
Tour dates: https://www.themidnightofficial.com/#live