Staff Editor on August 20th, 2018

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Mt. Joy hit the Troubadour stage promptly at 10 on Saturday night, welcomed by a throng of fans who had memorized their self-titled debut record, out now on Dualtone. They played two songs before finally smiling at the crowd and asking how they were doing. Ever the thoughtful indie folk lead man, singer Matt Quinn later in the set said that they have had the pleasure of traveling throughout the nation and that music connects people in a way that nothing else can. The band chugged through a 13-song set of textured introspection, sharing a new song called “Ruins” and getting a huge response when they capped off the set with their biggest hit, “Silver Lining.” Quinn came back on stage afterwards for an encore demanded by cheers and played “St. George” solo. The band came back on for “Cardinal” and the audience expressed their joy with dancing. A fresh transplant from New Jersey to Los Angeles, opener Adam Melchor warmed up the crowd with a solo set on guitar and piano. In addition to songs from his debut EP, 2017’s “The Archer,” he included a great cover of the Beatles’ “A Day in the Life.” He told the audience that initially he had planned on buying a ticket to this Mt. Joy show, and then found himself on the bill. Life works out sometimes.

Set List: Bigfoot, Jenny Jenkins, Astrovan, Ruins, Dirty Love, I’m Your Wreck, Sheep, Mt Joy, Younger Days, Julia, Silver Lining // Encore: St George, Cardinal

Photos by Jessica Hanley