Mt. Joy Splashes Surly Field with Orange Blood

Last updated on September 11th, 2024 at 11:32 am

Mt. Joy, known for their infectious folk-rock sound, came to Saint Paul this past Tuesday. Surly Field felt like it was sold out but not oversold.

Lines were long for beer, and the mostly Gen Z crowd radiated out from the stage. However, there was plenty of room to move around in the back, and sound was phenomenal almost anywhere inside the fence.

First Avenue staff did a great job operating the show as usual. The line to get in moved quickly and security checks ran smoothly. I have to give First Avenue credit for making a parking lot and a random field feel like a great music venue.

With food trucks, craft beer, plenty of porta-potties, and a great sound system, it’s hard not to enjoy a show here. The only thing missing is some side stage screens so people in the back can see the artists better.

Mt. Joy played two sets, with no opening act. It would appear the band is playing around with the idea of moving into “jam band territory”. They have always had a psychedelic tint to their music.

They are obviously fans of The Grateful Dead, often playing Dead covers and singing lyrics that name drop Jerry Garcia. And this move to a two-set show signals a possible Deadhead-fueled expansion of their already flourishing fan base.

This was the first show in the Twin Cities in which the band played material off their latest album Orange Blood. Arguably their best yet, the album’s songs fit perfectly with the Tuesday evening weather.

As the sun set behind the crowd, the sky turned orange and the warm weather put everyone in a good mood.

I hope to see Mt. Joy at a venue like the Armory next time they come to town, as that would seem to be the next move up. As they continue to wow crowds from Hinterland Music Festival to Red Rocks Amphitheater, I’m assured this won’t be far off.