LOS ANGELES, CA- It has been just over three years since I moved to Los Angeles. Before I made the leap, my only glimpses of LA were through the lens of movies and television, where places like Venice Beach, Sunset Boulevard, and the Hollywood Bowl felt more like mythical locations than real-life destinations. The Hollywood Bowl, in particular, always held a special allure. This legendary venue, where great bands like The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, and Jimi Hendrix once played, was a historic location. So when I found myself sitting in front of the iconic archways of the Bowl on a warm Sunday evening in August, ready to witness Local Natives and Mt. Joy, I couldn’t help but feel like I was witnessing history.
As part of KCRW’s Festival series, now in its 24th year, it brought together a crowd of music lovers. The evening promised a unique blend of nostalgia and modernity, with Local Natives and Mt. Joy set to add their names to the Hollywood Bowl’s history. The sunset painted the sky with pink and orange, casting a golden hour glow over the Bowl.
Local Natives, a band with deep roots in Los Angeles, took the stage first. The members—who live just a stone’s throw away in neighborhoods like Silver Lake and Highland Park—exuded a sense of comfort and familiarity as they launched into their set. It felt like a homecoming show. They kicked things off with a track from their latest album, *But I’ll Wait For You*, before playing favorites like *Past Lives* from their *Sunlit Youth* album, and *When Am I Gonna Lose You* from *Violet Street*. Each song was met with roaring approval from the crowd, a testament to the band’s loyal following.
The energy in the Bowl was electric, and Local Natives fed off it, delivering a performance that felt both intimate and powerful. Their sound—a blend of indie rock with lush harmonies and driving rhythms—filled the open-air venue, reverberating off the historic arches. Ryan Hahn’s guitar work was particularly mesmerizing, especially when he pulled off the classic behind-the-head solo that had the crowd cheering in awe. Kelcey Ayer’s keyboard skills were equally impressive, his fingers flying across the keys with a fluidity that was almost hypnotic.
But what struck me most about Local Natives was their ability to connect with the audience. Between songs, they shared stories of growing up in LA, coming to the Bowl as fans themselves, and now standing on the very stage that once hosted their idols. There was a genuine sense of gratitude in their words, a humility that made their performance all the more endearing. By the time they closed their set, the crowd was on its feet, giving them a well-deserved standing ovation. It was clear that Local Natives had not only lived up to the moment but had also won over a few new fans along the way.
Follow Local Natives on Facebook, Instagram and X.
As the stage was reset for Mt. Joy, the anticipation in the Bowl grew even more intense. This was the band everyone had come to see. Mt. Joy, like Local Natives, has deep ties to Los Angeles, having started their journey here eight years ago. As they took the stage, aisles started to fill as fans welcomed the band with cheers.
The moment the first notes of *Highway Queen* rang out, I knew we were in for a treat. Mt. Joy’s sound is a unique blend of indie rock, folk, and psychedelic influences, creating a full-body experience that goes beyond just listening. It’s something you feel deep in your bones. The lyrics, often introspective and poetic, seemed to take on a life of their own in the Bowl’s expansive space, weaving through the air like a spell. The band’s visuals were equally entrancing—trippy, kaleidoscopic patterns that danced behind the band, amplifying the music’s already powerful impact.
What sets Mt. Joy apart, though, is their ability to craft a mood, to take the audience on a journey. They are masters of pacing, knowing exactly when to bring the energy up with a driving anthem and when to pull back with a softer, more reflective track. The Hollywood Bowl, with its vast arches and open sky, seemed to be the perfect canvas. The lighting played a significant role in this, with deep blues and purples washing over the stage during somber songs, only to burst into fiery reds and oranges for more passionate numbers. The effect was mesmerizing.
One of the highlights of the night was their performance of *Bug Eyes*, during which they seamlessly integrated a snippet of The Pixies’ *Where Is My Mind?*. The crowd erupted as soon as they recognized the iconic melody, and it was a perfect example of Mt. Joy’s ability to surprise and delight their audience. Later in the set, they treated us to a few verses of ABBA’s *Dancing Queen*—another unexpected twist that had the entire Bowl singing and dancing along. These moments of genre-hopping and playful covers showcased the band’s versatility and their deep understanding of how to keep a crowd engaged.
But it wasn’t just about the music. Mt. Joy’s chemistry on stage was infectious, a dynamic interplay between band members that felt both spontaneous and tightly rehearsed. There were moments when it felt like we were witnessing a duel—Matt Quinn and Sam Cooper trading guitar riffs like they were sparring with their instruments or Jackie Miclau tearing through a piano solo with the kind of intensity that left you breathless. And then there was drummer Sotiris Eliopoulos, whose powerful rhythms seemed to drive the whole performance forward, grounding the band’s ethereal sound with a steady, pulsing heartbeat.
One moment that stood out was when bassist Michael Byrnes, in a fit of rock-and-roll bravado, tossed his bass high into the air, letting it crash down onto the stage. It was a bold, almost defiant gesture that drove the crowd wild. It was clear that Mt. Joy had solidified their place in the pantheon of Hollywood Bowl greats.
After nearly two hours of music that ranged from their biggest hits to deep cuts and even some unreleased tracks, it was time for the night to come to an end. But Mt. Joy wasn’t about to leave us on a low note. In a classy and heartfelt move, they invited Local Natives back onto the stage for a final performance of “Silver Lining”. The sight of both bands together, united in their love for their hometown and the historic venue, was a fitting end to an unforgettable evening.
As I walked out of the Hollywood Bowl that night, the energy of the crowd still buzzing around me, I couldn’t help but feel that I had been part of something special. This wasn’t just a concert—it was a celebration of music, of community, and of the rich history that venues like the Hollywood Bowl represent. As I drove home, the sound of Mt. Joy’s music still ringing in my ears, I knew that this night would stay with me for a long time. In a city where so much is fleeting, this moment felt timeless.
Follow Mt. Joy on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
*********************
LIVE CLIPS
