Joywave 4/9/15

(a) setlist

Destruction
Destruction
Now
Parade
Feels Like a Lie
Somebody New
Tongues

(b) highlights

those dudes actually played “Destruction” twice, hahahaha
going to a show only for the opening band has its perks – you leave when they’re done!
seeing Joywave totally command a room of people who weren’t even there to see them
no, really, they played “Destruction” twice

(c) lowlights

having to be in such close proximity to Bleachers’ fans, who turned out to be the worst

(d) overall thoughts

I don’t often go to shows only to see the opening band, but I do that when the opening band is Joywave. They opened for Bleachers at Terminal 5, and even though I had absolutely no interest in seeing Bleachers, I knew I couldn’t miss Joywave. I first discovered them when they opened for The Killers in August 2014 and it’s been really cool to watch them rise since then. They hadn’t even put out a full album at this point, but did have one of the best damn EP’s I’ve ever heard: How Do You Feel? Most of the songs they played were featured on that EP, and eventually comprised half the album they released later that year, How Do You Feel Now?

The most important thing to know about Joywave is that they really don’t give a fuck. It’s less than a little known secret that the band is obsessed with themselves and their song “Destruction,” in particular. The whole thing is sort of obnoxious and ridiculous and stupid, but 100% hysterical. Singer Daniel Armbruster not only demands that the audience jump, touch the floor, and scream for this song, but agree with him that is so-called “the greatest song ever written.” So the band opened with “Destruction.” But because not every member of the audience (who did not pay to see Joywave – with the exception of me, my friend, and maybe 3 other people) danced and moved and followed directions during the song, they played it again. God, I was laughing so hard. What a band.

Most importantly, Joywave is hysterical, yeah, but their songs kick ass. Every song sounds different, but every song sounds like them – a quality I find so, so uncommon in modern rock and indie music these days. These guys got heart and they’re still rising. Can’t wait to keep watching that.

Bottom line: Joywave have great freaking songs, but they will bully you into dancing along to them, which I am 100% okay with.