LOS ANGELES, CA- Arizona natives The Maine have had a big spring. They’ve been embarking on their ‘I Love You But I Chose The Maine’ tour across the US for their 10th studio album ‘Joy Next Door’. As a fan since basically the beginning in 2008, I’m always excited for a new era from one of my favorite pop punk bands. This one is no different, and it has not disappointed in the slightest. Joy was absolutely the theme as they took over The Novo at LA Live on March 28th, and with the new album released on April 10th.
The show at The Novo was a night of joy, community, and exuberance.From the moment I walked in the door I felt that energy, and it carried until the moment I left. All of the openers fit with that ethos perfectly. Frankie Joans and the Byzantines started the night off with a high energy set that got everyone moving and put a smile across every face in the room. I also always appreciate banjo representation whenever I can get it. Next up was Greyscale, and they immediately got a new fan in me. They were a pop punk delight, and did a cover of Twist and Shout that made my Ferris Buller dreams come true. Nightly finished up the opening slots, and I found yet another band to add to my playlists.
As the room continued to fill in between sets, it was clear this wasn’t just another tour stop. The band’s fanbase, often referred to as the “8123 Family,” has built a reputation over the years for showing up with intention, and that sense of community was everywhere. Whether it was longtime fans swapping stories about earlier tours or newer listeners discovering the band in real time, the atmosphere felt unified. The anticipation in the room steadily built as stagehands prepped for the headlining set, and every lighting cue or soundcheck moment drew cheers from a crowd that was already fully engaged before The Maine even appeared.
Then The Maine took the stage and the party hit its crescendo. From the moment they started with ‘Thoughts I Have While Lying In Bed’ , I knew we were all in for something special. It took no time at all to feel the joy and passion coming off of everyone on that stage. John O’Callaghan set expectations early by saying ‘This is no time to feel old. This is rock and roll!” I feel like that was the boost that everyone needed to let loose and feel free for the rest of the set. To leave everything at the door and have the time of their lives. The band matched that energy and never wavered for a moment.
There were many fun surprises during the set as well that kept everyone on their feet. We got the utter treat of hearing ‘Loved You A Little’ with an appearance by Charlotte Sands herself. During ‘We All Roll Along’ John dedicated the song to ‘the myspace kids’, went out into the crowd, and gave a fan the chance to sing the final chorus while he crowd surfed. When he got back to the stage, he thanked everyone for supporting the band for nearly 20 years. He said “Thank you so much for letting us make music for 20 years. This shouldn’t be allowed. You shouldn’t be allowed to make music and have this much fun for a living, but it’s thanks to all of you that we can.”
Visually, the performance leaned into a warm and vibrant aesthetic that matched the album’s tone. Lighting washed the stage in hues that felt bright and alive, reinforcing the sense of optimism tied to this era of the band. The production never felt overdone, instead complementing the band’s natural chemistry and allowing the music to remain the focal point. Each member brought their own presence to the stage, from the steady rhythm section anchoring the sound to the layered guitar work that gave the songs their signature lift. It all worked together in a way that felt cohesive and intentional.
Though the show wasn’t all about nostalgia in the least bit. We got the privilege of hearing new songs from ‘Joy Next Door’ live, and it was electric. ‘Die To Fall’, ‘Quiet Part Loud’, and ‘Palms’ were on the setlist. When a band plays new songs live, I always look around to see how the crowd is reacting to something they may have never heard before. This crew didn’t miss a beat and accepted the wonderful new tracks with open arms. It makes sense with an album with themes like living authentically, finding joy in chaos, and embracing everything that life throws at you with the ones you love.
The new album itself marks a significant moment for the band. ‘Joy Next Door’ arrives as their tenth studio album, a milestone that reflects both longevity and evolution. Written and recorded in sequential order, the project leans into a storytelling approach that emphasizes cohesion from start to finish. The band has long associated each era with a specific color, and this time around, the album is defined by green, a choice that reflects the organic instrumentation and the intentional imperfections left within the recordings. Songs like ‘Quiet Part Loud’ highlight that approach, with its intimate tone and immediacy shaped by the idea of saying what you need to say while you still can. It’s a record that feels both reflective and forward-looking, capturing where the band has been while pushing into new creative territory.
John took another moment to say “When someone asks me what 8123 means and what the community is, it’s this right here. Give it up for friendship. Give it up for music.” That sentiment fell perfectly into a performance of ‘Take Me Dancing’ where everyone who performed filled the stage. It was a moment that encapsulated the whole night and how special it is to be in a fanbase that has rallied around this band for so long. The power that music has to bring us all closer together and turn strangers into friends. The first time I saw The Maine was at a water park in 2009. I felt the same radiance and freedom as I did as a 17 year old seeing them again nearly 20 years later, and I’m so thankful.
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