Article by Ella Donovan. Photos by Madalyn Schaller.
On September 12, 2024 indietronica/indie pop band Joywave stopped at the Thunderbird Cafe and Music Hall in Pittsburgh. Originally formed in 2010, the Rochester, NY-based band has been on their Permanent Pleasure World Tour. With Pittsburgh only being the second stop of the tour, the band’s energy was uncontainable.
HUNNY
Opening the show was HUNNY, a band with a new wave, indie-rock sound. With a repertoire of hit songs, their set definitely warmed up the crowd. They played fan favorites such as “July,” “JFK,” “Shy,” and “Vowels (And The Importance of Being Me).” Not only were these older songs on the setlist, but the band made sure to play some of their more recent releases such as “action → reaction.” While many of the concert-goers were not familiar with HUNNY, they were still dancing, cheering, and swaying along to the music.
Almost Famous has covered HUNNY before – to see a full review and gallery of their headlining performance in Pittsburgh, click here.
JOYWAVE
As the crew was transitioning the stage for Joywave’s set, the anticipation in the room became thick. Every time the lighting would change, or the music would get low, excited screams would erupt.
Joywave, consisting of Daniel Armbruster (vocals), Joseph Morinelli (guitar), and Paul Brenner (drums), entered onto stage in a dark and smokey setting. The fog machines were working hard to make the entire venue feel misty. Suddenly, the lights began to turn on, and the crowd quickly saw the entrancing lighting design. Flashes of orange and yellow lights filled the room, and a large, white cat statue sat at center stage.
To open the show, Joywave played “Graffiti Planet,” the first song off of their recent album Permanent Pleasure. Instantly, the room began to move. The crowd began to jump and dance, making the front of the pit look like waves rippling. Pittsburgh clearly had a big Joywave fanbase; the venue was packed wall to wall with eager concertgoers. Those who were at the Thunderbird that night weren’t just there to listen; they were there to immerse themselves and have fun.
Joywave played more of their hits and new releases, such as “It’s A Trip!” “Dangerous,” and “He’s Back!” Each song had its own unique lighting design, making the visuals as entertaining as the music itself. The lighting was a standout aspect of the show; it helped Joywave tell a story with each song, while also amping up the crowd.
The Permanent Pleasure World Tour was an experience unlike many of the shows I’ve been to. The production value, the musicality, and the bandmates’ efforts to make connections with fans in the crowd all made the night unforgettable for those lucky to be there.
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