The Maine’s “I Love You But I Chose The Maine” Tour finally reached Florida, playing to a soldout House of Blues Orlando. This tour embraced the newest chapter, Joy Next Door, while simultaneously paying respect to past eras. Each band on the bill–Moody Joody, Grayscale, and Nightly–contributed a distinct layer that was cohesively brought together by the headliner.
The night opened with Moody Joody, whose breezy, indie pop immediately captured the attention of those in the crowd. From their first song, it was clear that this was going to be a set to dance to. Smooth harmonies between both singers displayed a polished yet playful act that ultimately won the crowd over.
Grayscale followed with a noticeable shift in intensity, but the crowd was more than ready. Punchy hooks balanced out singable choruses. It was clear that the members of Grayscale act as a well-oiled machine, putting on a performance that was sure to leave a mark. Their set was crafted with the audience in mind, emphasizing newer material following the departure from their pop punk beginnings. Grayscale have been on a steady rise over the last two years, touching on fan bases of varying genres by opening for big name bands including Boys Like Girls, Mayday Parade, and Our Last Night, and this tour with The Maine is sure to keep this Philadelphia powerhouse on their upward trajectory.
Yet another shift in tone, Nightly dialed the energy back in, delivering a clean cut performance that bridged the gap between the preceding indie pop and alt rock sets. Shimmering synths, crisp drum beats, and clean guitar lines blended together into the sound that defines Nightly. The stripped back stage set up with their heart logo glowing in the background created a striking visual that, combined with the music, created a cinematic mood, serving as the perfect tonal runway for the headliner.
By the time The Maine took the stage, the venue was electric, with "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" as the band's walk up song. Opening with "Another Night on Mars", it became immediately clear that this was not just a tour promoting the release of their new album Joy Next Door, but, rather, a celebration of the twenty-year, ten-album career that has solidified The Maine in emo history.
Segueing right into "I Think About You All The Time" and "Die To Fall", favorites off the two most recent albums, the crowd could preview what the night held in store for them: songs to dance to, cry to, and make you feel like you are the center of your very own coming-of-age movie. Deep cuts were interwoven between fresher favorites, offering a look into every chapter the band had to offer. Still, new tracks off of Joy Next Door certainly carried their weight, with "Palms" uniting fans old and new in this anthemic performance. Beyond the music, band members flawlessly demonstrated the highest class of musicianship, appearing professional and manicured, yet still fun and charismatic.
By the final song, their classic hit, “Black Butterflies and Déjà Vu”, the crowd was undeniably unified in the very feeling The Maine aimed to highlight. For that night, joy was not next door, but at House of Blues Orlando, and The Maine were at the center of it.
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