Djo (the d is silent), also known as Joe Keery, is a sleeper band that like most artists these days, rose to fame with a song going viral on TikTok. The song is “End of Beginning,” originally released off the sophomore album Decide (2022), but became an internet sensation two-years later. Its success is likely due to its universally relatable nature, no matter what stage of life you’re in. Being back in “Chicago” could be any place, or any state of mind for the listener. The nostalgic synths and soft vocals make for a picturesque montage soundtrack. It’s no wonder so many people have latched onto this song, myself included.

Keery got his start in music with the Chicago-based psych-rock band Post Animal in 2015. In 2016, Keery made his TV debut as Steve Harrington in Stranger Things, which became the role he’s known for. He departed from Post Animal to focus more on acting, but started releasing music under the “Djo” moniker at the end of 2019. Three albums and six years later, Djo hits the road on the “Back on You Tour,” with a sold-out stop at The Anthem in Washington, DC on May 1.