Finding Connection and Mt.Joy on the Cuyahoga River
- Madison Cozzens
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Mt. Joy brings their memorable and joyous 10 year celebration to the shores of Cleveland.
People stretched across the parking lot, waiting in line for Jacob’s Pavillion. The line buzzed with excitement for Mt.Joy’s show that evening. Clevelander’s couldn’t have asked for better weather, the sun beginning to set against the city skyline. The Pavillion was already packed with people inside and out. Being situated on the edge of the river, people showed up in boats, paddleboards, and kayaks to listen to the show. The band is on their “Celebrating 10 Years World Tour” and the fans showed up ready for a journey through Mt.Joy’s lifetime.
Mt.Joy take the jam band approach to their shows. Foregoing the traditional opening act and performing two sets themselves with a brief intermission. Though they are not considered a “true jame band”, their indie, folk, psychedelic, sound lends itself well to the format. Mt.Joy took the stage at 8:30 to a very excited crowd. The group began the evening with Lemon Tree, the song begins with a flowing melody that slowly ramps up to funky instrumentals. By the end of the song, the entire venue was full of moving bodies and synchronous head bobs. Lemon Tree is a take on the saying “When life gives you lemons”, leaning on making positive connections and generating happiness within and around yourself. The song’s lyrics and sound make it a perfect opener for a live experience, encouraging everyone listening to do the same.
Mt.Joy consists of Matt Quinn (vocals, guitar), Sam Cooper (guitar), Sotiris Eliopoulos (drums), Jackie Miclau (keyboards) and Michael Byrnes (bass). Quinn and Cooper met in high school while living in Philadelphia but didn’t start making music until they reunited in Los Angeles years later. The band became fully established in 2016 with their release of Astrovan, which is still one of their most well known songs to date. Astrovan is often saved to be the last song of the evening, leaving fans with a feeling of joy and community. The venue to scream along to the bridge, “and maybe we're all alone together now”, ringing across the Cuyahoga River. Mt.Joy’s music connects with a deeper part of all of us, and aim to bring us together. Throughout the evening people, danced, hugged, swayed, twirled, cried, and grooved, whatever you’re feeling Mt.Joy has a song for that.
Since the release of their most recent album “Hope We Have Fun” the band has included the song Pink Lady to their setlist. While the song started off as a joke within the band, it has become a way for fans to interact with each other and the band. Before playing the song, Mt.Joy will pick someone from the crowd to be their pink lady for the evening and give them a sash. Many hardcore fans take it upon themselves to dress for the occasion in hopes to get picked for the title. This often ranges anywhere from pink outfits, to wigs, or even body paint. Becoming the pink lady gives that fan a unique souvenir from the show an experience they will never forget.
Mt.Joy’s show is one that every fan should experience if given the chance. If you can’t see them live, the band has two live recorded albums on streaming services you should check out. Mt.Joy breathes new life into their songs with their live shows. The added keys and guitar solos, the inclusion of Grateful Dead covers, the real and raw emotions, it brings the songs to a new level. You can feel the passion, connection, and dedication each member brings to the stage. You could feel the joy radiating from everyone there; whether they were on barricade, in the stands, or just listening from across the river. Mt. Joy brings a live show that will leave you wanting more, and we want more.
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