Djo

Joe Keery, better known as Djo, or to many fans, Steve “The Hair” Harrington, blessed Pittsburgh with the first of few headline summer tour dates with a captivating night of great vibes and even better music. 

The hot summer evening began as fans rushed to the barricade to secure their spots for the night before Australian psychedelic rock band Pond took the stage. Frontman Nick Allbrook’s energy immediately drew in the crowd’s attention, and held it until the last note. His energy was contagious, with a stage presence reminiscent of rock legend Mick Jagger. Even those unfamiliar with Pond found themselves swept up in the performance. The excitement peaked when Nick jumped off the stage and onto the barricade. 

Music and lights dimmed and suspense filled the venue as fans awaited Djo’s entrance. Loud cheers quickly fell dead silent as Djo opened with “Awake.” All eyes were on Djo who was framed with haze and illuminated by deep red lighting, perfectly complementing the song’s atmosphere and serving as an unexpected but perfect way to start the show. The silence broke as fans began to sing along to “Change” and erupted for “Basic Being Basic.” 

The setlist struck the perfect balance of recent releases, tracks from older records, and fan favorites, including “Roddy,” “Fool,” “Charlie’s Garden,” and “End of Beginning.” It’s no surprise that the crowd was singing every word, every melody and everything in between. 

Impatiently waiting for the encore after “End of Beginning,” the crowd started chanting “One more song!” Returning for a two-song encore, the night beautifully closed with “Back on You,” with upbeat melodies keeping the crowd singing and dancing. The song gradually built into a choir-backed instrumental finale that rang through the venue. It was truly a feeling you just had to be there to experience. 

This was my first time seeing Djo live, and I don’t expect it to be my last. Judging by the joy and energy in the crowd, I think it’s safe to say that many in attendance feel the same.