MNG Throwback : joan Illuminated the Night at Pittsburgh's Stage AE (September 27, 2019)

Since we haven’t had the pleasure of relishing in the glory of live music over the last few months, we’re reliving some of our favorite moments of 2019 with our new MNG Throwback series. Today we’re kicking things off with the time we saw joan in Pittsburgh. Check out exclusive photos after the review below!

As author Hanif Aburraquib once said in his book They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us, “The feeling I love most is walking into night air after spending hours cloaked in sweat, dancing in a small room with strangers.” There is a euphoric, almost tender sensation in the pit of your stomach when you leave a concert, more specifically when you leave a venue after seeing a band you love. Then, the morning after, your whole body feels like you went to war after dancing and jumping around like a 12-year-old again hyped up on sugar and caffeine.

On Friday, September 27 at Stage AE in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Arkansas alternative-pop band joan showed what a pop gig should look and sound like. joan comprises Alan Thomas and Steven Rutherford. This band is good, not just “good,” but “good” in the sense where your friend who came to the gig last minute says “I can’t believe that they sound exactly like their stuff on Spotify.” And she was right, they sounded exactly like their recordings, maybe even better. Rutherford, on drums, is a master percussionist, or as the kids say, a “boppy drummer,” while Thomas, on keys and guitar, uses his hushed, dream-like vocals to lull yet excite listeners.

I saw at least two dad-aged men wearing joan t-shirts standing with who I assume were their kids. These dads turned their masculinity down for a half hour to enjoy an alt-pop set (Why is pop music seen as a bad thing anyway? Why is being a feminine thing bad? That’s a conversation for another time.) It is just a reminder that concerts are truly for everyone, no matter how old you are or what you look like. Musicians create the music, but the space is created by the people.

If the mix of adults and teenagers weren’t fans of the band prior to the concert, they definitely were after joan’s set. They started the night off with the up-beat “All The Way.” By the time the duo brought the audience with them to the chorus, there was not one person standing still. The rest of joan’s songs flew by, creating an electrifying atmosphere, matching the bright marquee displaying the band’s name behind the duo.

All in all, I felt nostalgic for a time period I wasn’t alive to be apart of. I imagine a Wham! or Tears for Fears show was like what joan put on every night supporting Flor. If you have a chance to catch Lostboycrow, joan, and Flor this time around, please do yourself a favor and get to a venue.

Much love.

Photo Credit: Erika Kellerman