A little more than a year ago, we posted a story on the rising of Mt. Joy, a band that sort of, accidentally got popular by accumulating more than five million streams on Spotify. The Los Angeles-by-way-of-Philly band put single “Astrovan” on the streaming giant just to share with friends and family and ended up getting way more attention than expected. Now, Mt. Joy is selling out shows at places like Webster Hall in New York City and the 9:30 Club in D.C. And as for Spotify streams: “Silver Lining,” the opening track on the band’s eponymous debut LP, has more than 43 million.
The members of Mt. Joy just returned to their roots, playing the 2,500-capacity Fillmore in Philadelphia. This show was not only unforgettable for the audience, but it was really special for the band to be back in its old stomping ground. In the summer of last year, Mt. Joy was playing the Foundry, a smaller space located in the Fillmore that holds less than a fifth of the venue’s main room.
It was incredible to witness the passion the members of Mt. Joy brought to their hometown gig; their excitement about being back in Philly was obvious to all. One thing is for sure: Mt. Joy will be playing an even bigger venue the next time its in the City Of Brotherly Love. And we will be there.
—Samantha Geiger; poster by RaileyBacePrints
