Written by Mack

I have been a fan of DJO (Joe Keery) for years and have had the pleasure of seeing him live over the course of his last three tours. The last show of his summer tour this year blew me away in terms of performance and community. Unlike the previous shows, the crowd in Richmond really brought the intensity. The vibe from the pit was infectious and seemed to amplify the energy on stage. I wasn’t just observing the crowd; I was a part of it.

His show in Richmond was the first time I have ever taken queuing seriously, and I was able to cross a lot off of my “concert bucket list.” While in line, I met some amazing fans who made this show unforgettable, especially since I was going solo. Fan culture is something I hold close to my heart, and to be fully immersed in it is something I will never forget. I left that show with new friends, a ton of memories, and the coolest bracelets, stickers, and pins made by fans who were also in line. One of my favorite things about music has always been the way it brings people together.

The night at Allianz Amphitheater started off with a killer opening from Pond, a psychedelic rock band from Australia. They had a captivating stage presence and really knew how to work the stage. Frontman Nick Allbrook brought the energy that set the tone for the rest of the night, whether it was walking along the barricade and interacting with the crowd or jumping around the stage during their set. I can say with confidence that I left a fan! If you're looking for some songs to introduce yourself to the band, I recommend “Paint Me Silver” and “Personal Hell.”

photo from the crowd by Mack

By the time DJO took the stage, the crowd was already buzzing from Pond. The first song of the night was “Awake,” which is a perfect intro into what’s to come. As soon as the beat dropped and the heavy guitar and drums sounded, it felt as if the crowd simultaneously decided, “Yeah, it’s time.” The lights were going crazy with the song. The pit was jumping and dancing. You could hear the collective voice of the crowd singing every word, the perfect start to any show.

Being up against the barricade was an awesome experience. There’s something so special about being front and center at a concert where the crowd and artist are feeding off of each other. You could tell through his performance that he was enjoying himself just as much as we were. Richmond really brought it. Whether the songs were old or new, the pit was booming with voices singing every word the whole time.

Live, DJO does not hold back. He was constantly moving, dancing during songs, running across the speakers in front of the stage, and jumping all over the place. If you have seen videos of his shows, you know, but nothing compares to experiencing this live. By the end of the night, you definitely felt like you were part of the show. That’s why I keep coming back. When he wrapped up the show by saying, “We’ll be back,” it felt like the feeling was mutual.

Photography note: Photos featured in this article were captured by Mack from the crowd.