Shoulder to shoulder from the barricade, all the way through to the back of the club, MUNA played their second show at the 9:30 Club recently, and brought out an incredibly impressive crowd to accompany their performance. Electro-pop trio, originating from Los Angeles, brought all of LA’s sunny vibes with them as they made their tour stops in DC. MUNA first stopped in DC on the Sept. 20 for a first sold-out show, then spent a few nights playing in Atlanta and Nashville, before heading back up to the 9:30 Club for their second sell-out on the Sept. 26. The band’s North American Tour has been on the road since the end of July, and will continue through the end of October. The energy that they’ve managed to maintain is phenomenal, and I’m sure it’ll stay just as high through the entirety of their tour.

All identifying as queer, the band serves as a pillar in the LGBTQ+ music community. Much of their music focuses on inclusion and the various growth periods that they’ve all experienced. They speak a lot on how they inspire each other to become their truest selves, and express themselves in whatever way they’re most comfortable and confident.

Watch the official music video for “What I Want” by MUNA on YouTube: The bands’ self proclaimed purpose is to “connect people,” which could be seen clearly at their show on Monday night. The audience may have been the loudest I’ve seen, and I think it might have been due to the shared experiences that a lot of people in the room have in common, which the band is able to beautifully translate. MUNA draws out fellow members of the LGBTQ+ community, and creates a not only safe, but a welcoming space for self expression. The atmosphere was one of such joy and radiance. All of the audience felt so unanimously united in their positivity, as well as their certainty in their identities. Setlist:

1. What I Want
2. Number One Fan
3. Solid
4. Stayaway
5. Runner’s High
6. No Idea
7. Pink Light
8. Loose Government
9. If U Love Me Now
10. Kind of Girl
11. Taken
12. Home by Now
13. Anything but Me
14. Mr. Brightside
15. I Know a Place
16. Shooting Star
17. Silk Chiffon

Here are some additional photos of Muna performing at 9:30 Club on Sept. 26, 2022. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Katie Child.