Fresh off wrapping Stranger Things, Djo is absolutely thriving. He has been on the road this summer supporting Tame Impala, but stopped in Richmond for a headlining show of his own.
I previously saw Djo at The Anthem in Washington, DC, in 2025, and it was one of my favorite live shows of the year — which says a lot, considering I attended more than 100. I’d been chomping at the bit for another Djo headliner, and my wish was granted at Allianz Amphitheater.
It was my first time visiting the Richmond venue. It’s a bit like a smaller Merriweather Post Pavilion, minus the actual pavilion, nestled along the James River. The staff was friendly, the facilities were nice, the seats were more spacious than your average stadium seat, and food and drink options were plentiful. Even the weather miraculously cooperated. Following a slew of summer storms, there wasn’t a drop of rain in sight.
The sun began to set as the show opened on July 31 with an electrifying performance from Australian psych-rock band Pond. I was mostly unfamiliar with them, but I was dazzled by their energy and engagement with the crowd. It made for a fantastic and memorable opening set.
They reminded me of a blend of Cage the Elephant, The Hives and The Schizophonics, topped off with a dose of Tame Impala. Members of Pond and Tame Impala have intermingled over the years as close friends and collaborators, all hailing from Australia, so it’s no wonder that influence was there.
Singer Nick Allbrook had a loose, springy energy as he moved around the stage. He frequently flung his mic cord around like a lasso and jumped onto the speakers to get closer to the fans. Highlights included “Paint Me Silver” from The Weather (2017), a groovy track with an unmistakable guitar riff floating among reverbed falsetto vocals. “Terrestrials,” from their 2026 album of the same name, was an epic journey through synths and lyrics exploring the contradictions of human life.
Watch the official music video for “Paint Me Silver” by Pond on YouTube:
By the time Djo took the stage, an inky night sky blanketed the amphitheater and a breeze chilled the packed pit. Handheld flags with “Djo” sprawled across the front and branded bandanas bristled in the wind. Joe Keery emerged with a beaming smile, waving to the audience as he took the mic.
Djo began with “Awake” from The Crux Deluxe (2025), which starts as a slow, melancholic acoustic guitar song before abruptly shifting into a headbanging electric guitar jam. It made for a fantastic opener, steadily building tension before finally letting loose.
“Change” from DECIDE (2022) came second, marking my first time hearing it live. At The Anthem in May 2025, Djo opted for “Gloom” from the same album. While I missed hearing “Gloom” this time around, I was thrilled to get “Change.”
The Crux was my favorite album of 2025, with Djo landing in the top artist spot of my Spotify Wrapped. Now that I’ve had more time with the album, I could sing the lyrics to “Basic Being Basic,” “Link” and “Lonesome Is a State of Mind” even harder. I love the way the record captures the uncertainty of navigating your twenties.
“Potion” is another track I’ve grown to love. It feels reminiscent of The Beatles, with layered harmonies and a fingerpicked guitar riff. During the final chorus, the crowd raised their phone lights and waved them through the air, seemingly responding to the central lyric: “I’ll try for all of my life / Just to find someone who leaves on the light for me.”
Watch the official visualizer for “Potion” by Djo on YouTube:
“Roddy” goes full psychedelic jam, especially toward the end, and it’s a euphoric live experience. “Fool” and “Figure You Out” from DECIDE are ethereal tracks, each with its own experimental flair. “Charlie’s Garden” put Keery behind the piano and featured a voice recording from his Stranger Things co-star Charlie Heaton.
I said in my last review that “Gap Tooth Smile” seems to be a fan favorite, and this show only reinforced that impression. Fans love chanting its lyrics.
“Delete Ya” is a breakup track that has been moving heavier into my rotation. Its fleeting opening riff recalls Prince, while the rest of the song leans into ’80s soft synth-pop. I even wore my key-shaped earrings in reference to the line, “I’m locked, she’s the key.” Keery told the crowd how much fun it is to perform live and made it clear that the audience is the reason why.
“Fly” shifted the set into quieter territory with acoustic guitar and soft, soothing lyrics. It was followed by “Egg,” which uses an eggshell as a metaphorical skin that Keery is “crawlin’ out of.” It’s one of the more introspective tracks on The Crux, built around repeated phrases such as “somebody else” and the pointed question, “You just gonna let fear take that?”
The regular set closed with the smash hit “End of Beginning.” I wrote extensively about the impact of this song in my last review, and I’m pleased that it has only grown bigger.
Watch Djo perform “End of Beginning” live on YouTube:
The band exited before returning for “Chateau (Feel Alright),” a spacey, nostalgic song from Twenty Twenty (2019). I took the opportunity to gaze up at the stars and let myself feel alright in the moment.
“Back on You” is an ode to Keery’s four sisters, some of whom even sing background vocals on the recording. It’s a heartfelt anthem for anyone you love, opening with a gospel choir and eventually erupting into a classic-rock jam. It has the grandiosity of The Rolling Stones and the earnest lyricism of Bruce Springsteen. Between the final chorus and the outro, Keery instructed the crowd to put their hands in the air and clap along through the climactic finish.
Then came “Flash Mountain,” my favorite Djo track to hear live. I remember hearing it at The Anthem and feeling absolutely blown away, and it delivered again in Richmond. The face-melting guitar riffs combined with the kinetic energy of the band make it instantly memorable. Rainbow lights flashed wildly across the stage, engulfing the amphitheater in a psychedelic dream.
Joe Keery is an absolute rock star. After seeing Djo deliver another show like this one, I’ll gladly see him live whenever I get the chance.
Here are some photos of Djo and opener Pond performing live at Allianz Amphitheater on July 31, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Carolin Harvey.
