Young the Giant

Young the Giant brought their Victory Garden tour to Pittsburgh, turning the most beautiful summer evening into an unforgettable celebration of their newest chapter and the music that has defined their nearly two-decade career.

Two indie rock bands that need no introduction set the stage for Young the Giant’s headlining set. almost monday lit up the stage and fired up the crowd with their upbeat, sun-soaked music and frontman Dawson Daugherty’s unmatched dance moves. They were followed by Cold War Kids, whose performance was equally as energetic and proved to be the perfect bridge into the headlining act.

The sun began to set as Young the Giant took the stage. Anticipation grew as the lights dimmed and each band member stepped into place. Frontman Sameer Gadhia followed moments later, and the band launched into “Evergreen,” the first track on their recently released album, “Victory Garden.” The explosive energy accompanying the opening notes of “Evergreen” never faded, continuing through the entire set as the audience matched the band’s enthusiasm at every moment.

The Victory Garden tour is in celebration of not only the band’s sixth studio album, but also the 10 year anniversary of “Home of the Strange.” This was reflected throughout the setlist, which blended new material with fan favorites and deep cuts as an ode to the anniversary and the band’s longevity.

Sameer’s resonant and soulful vocals carried effortlessly from the barricade to the back of the lawn, clearly showing the passion he was pouring into each song. Like all great bands, each musician’s skill to mesh and complement each other was impossible to miss. Their stage presence was consistently on point as each musician moved freely across the stage, interacting with one another and the audience. 

After taking the audience on a journey through “Victory Garden” and highlights across their discography, Young the Giant closed their set with one of their most beloved songs, “Mind Over Matter,” ending the show on the highest note. 

Young the Giant continually delivers some of the best shows in indie rock, whether as an opening band or a headliner, and the Victory Garden tour is no exception. Even new listeners can find themselves engaged with the band’s energetic performance and musicianship.

Many artists come and go from my top three, but albums and shows like these continue to prove why Young the Giant will always have a place there.