Photos by Jordyn Feenberg
Known to most as the effortlessly charming Steve Harrington, Joe Keery is much more than a Stranger Things heartthrob. Under his musical alias Djo (the “D” is silent), he’s built a world of retro synths and an ever-growing cult following. I recently restarted Stranger Things to prepare for the fifth and final season set to drop this Thanksgiving. Whether I’m listening to my Djo mix on Spotify or investing in the rewatch, I witness a lot of Joe Keery day-to-day.
Today’s dose was extra special, as I had the pleasure of seeing him live on the Another Bite Tour. Throughout the second leg of this tour, Kerry has managed to maintain his Stranger Things duties, tour across continents, and release his albumThe Crux (with a deluxe edition on top). As an actor by day and pop star by night, I, among millions, am captivated by his multifaceted success.
POST ANIMAL
The show took place at the Greek Theatre, featuring support from Post Animal, a psychedelic rock band hailing from Chicago. Joe Keery was one of the group’s founding members, so having them open for his tour was an appreciative full-circle moment. Back in July, Post Animal released their new album, Iron, and nearly half of their setlist consisted of songs from the new record. The band knew exactly how to kick off the night with bold confidence. From the pit to the nosebleeds, the packed audience was immersed with palpable energy. Mid-set, they asked if the crowd was ready for the headliner, and moments later, Djo made a surprise appearance, performing “Last Goodbye” and “Dirtpicker,” two songs they wrote together. At the end of their set, the band announced they’d be returning to Los Angeles for a show in December.
DJO
When Djo took the stage for his solo act, I caught a glimpse of his setlist right below him. He opened with “Awake,” a mellow anthem from The Crux (Deluxe), as red lights drenched the stage and smoke filled the air. Next came an older classic, “Uglyfisherman,” a synth-pop instrumental that builds anticipation with every beat. He followed with “Basic Being Basic,” a Crux favorite that had fans singing every line back to him.
After a string of hits, he performed “Charlie’s Garden” surrounded by a glow of green light from a coordinated fan project. He followed with “Roddy,” which featured an iconic, inviting drum solo from band member Wesley Toledo, then seamlessly transitioned into “Gap Tooth.” Truthfully, this was the most reactive crowd I’ve ever witnessed at the Greek Theatre, which is a testament to Djo’s hits and infectious stage presence. A harmonica accompanied his performance of “Love Can’t Break the Spell,” and during “Delete Ya,” the mention of Hollywood sent the crowd of Angelenos into cheerful excitement.
“I take a walk in Hollywood / My old apartment isn’t looking too good.”
Djo mentioned how awesome it was for everyone to show up on a Monday night. He followed by playing “Egg” from The Crux, which holds his quintessential synth-pop twist. The set continued with his viral sensation “End of Beginning.”
Before I knew it, the night was coming to a close. For the encore, he wrapped up with a fitting final ode to Los Angeles — “Chateau (Feel Alright).”
“Help, something’s wrong with me / Homesick for LA.”
Later, when a friend asked me about the concert, I had to tell them: “Djo is officially one of my all-time favorite artists.”
