Review by: Jason Robey / Photos by Hailey Burris (@burrisvisuals)
CHARLOTTE, NC — It was the perfect date – it was not too hot and not too cold, all we needed was a light jacket. And that was the perfect atmosphere for Mt. Joy to take the stage with their breezy opening song, “Julia,” accompanied by images of a solar eclipse on the screen behind the band.
The show was a mesmerizing journey through sound and color, beginning with a first set that felt light, poppy, and full of bright energy. Rolling smoothly through fan favorites like “Orange Blood” and “I’m Your Wreck,” the band set an uplifting tone, with Matt Quinn’s easygoing vocals and the band’s melodic warmth on full display. The first set culminated in a beautiful solo acoustic performance of “Cardinal,” a special fan-requested moment that added an intimate, heartfelt touch. Throughout, the dazzling light show and swirling psychedelic imagery projected behind them created a dreamlike atmosphere that perfectly matched the vibe.
The second set took a heavier turn, diving into darker grooves and more intense, jammy sections. Kicking off with the dirty bass intro to “Coyote,” Mt. Joy leaned into their more rugged, expansive sound, giving songs like “Sheep” and “Highway Queen” a raw, almost hypnotic power. The band surprised the crowd with covers of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” and Wheatus’ “Teenage Dirtbag,” which had the entire audience screaming along. The visual production kept pace with the sonic shift, layering rich, trippy visuals that turned the venue into an otherworldly experience.
When they returned for the encore, Quinn said they liked to play a song related to the area they’re playing, and for the Carolinas, that meant a raucous cover of Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel,” which tells the tale of hitchhiking the east coast to get to Raleigh, NC. They followed with their own “Astrovan” to close the night. The band’s ability to shift seamlessly from light, pop-infused tunes to heavier, more psychedelic jams — all while keeping the crowd engaged and the visuals stunning — made this show a true standout.
