GALLERY: Joywave
EMO’S | AUSTIN, TX | OCTOBER 2, 2024 | BY ELINA CARRASCO
On a bustling Wednesday night at Emo’s, Joywave delivered a visually captivating and sonically rich performance. HUNNY kicked off the sold-out show, engaging dedicated fans at the barricade and a few enthusiastic groups in the back who screamed along to “solo.” During Joywave's set, lead singer Daniel Armbruster shared with fans that HUNNY had been traveling in a van with no air conditioning and playfully dubbed their dedication to the tour as "punk rock," expressing heartfelt gratitude for their companionship on the road. HUNNY's songs blended sing-along anthems and dance tracks in a perfect mix to warm up the crowd for Joywave. Against a red curtain backdrop and an LED sign that spelled out "Permanent Pleasure"—the title of their latest album—the band created an immersive experience that extended beyond the music. As the set began, the band emerged amidst swirling smoke, diving straight into "Graffiti Planet." Center stage, a cozy cat figure, familiar from their album cover, spun on a platform, adding an extra flair to the performance. Armbruster captivated the audience with his natural charisma while roaming the stage and using his hands to express the rhythm of each song. He even employed a vintage telephone as a prop to enhance the vocal effects on some tracks.
To celebrate their return after two years, Emo’s served a themed drink named after “It’s a Trip,” but Armbruster humorously cautioned fans against trying Joywave’s own “invention” from years ago—a mix of Scotch and Emergen-C—sharing, “Don’t try it, I’ve had pancreatitis five times.” Armbruster kept it lighthearted with his witty jokes and personal anecdotes between songs. The setlist incorporated new material alongside several fan-favorite picks like “It’s a Trip,” “Dangerous,” and the highlight of the night, “Destruction.” As the night eventually drew to a close, the band skipped the typical encore fake-out after performing their last song, “Destruction,” and quickly returned to the stage as fans began chanting for more. Armbruster, grateful for the display of love, told the crowd, "At the end of the show, if we have a good time and you have a good time, sometimes 'Destruction' gets played a second time." He then introduced their keyboardist, Taylor, who surprised the audience with a harmonica solo that flowed seamlessly into the final reprise. Joywave’s return to Austin was nothing short of remarkable—an experience that truly could not be fully appreciated until witnessed live.
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