Djo Concert Review

Knock, knock. Who’s there? Djo. Djo-who? Djo-mama! 

Okay – had to get that out of my system.  

Back in October, I had the amazing honor to go and see Steve Harrington himself, actor turned musician, Joe Keery play in his band Djo at Channel 24 here in Sacramento. And yes, I know…it’s now March, but bear with me. Since Stranger Things has finally ended, given up Stranger Things “Conformity Gate” and Djo heading into festival season, I wanted to revisit a night that proved Keery is far more than just a fan-favorite character, but a genuinely compelling musician.  

First things first, I got these tickets a week before the concert even happened – shout out to my sister for bringing it to my attention. I love Joe Keery and loved his albums Twenty Twenty and Decide but had no clue that he had just released a new album, The Crux. So when these tickets were bought, I had no idea what the new album sounded like or the vibes, but either way I was excited to go! Honestly, bold move.  

I attended the concert with my sister, her best friend, and my boyfriend. And just like me, my boyfriend also loved Djo’s previous albums but have yet to listen to the new album. He went into the concert fresh, despite me begging him to just give the new album a listen. I did listen and learn the album and absolutely loved it. I swear this band only gets better and better.  

For me, The Crux was an instant hit. It leans further into rock while keeping the dreamy, synth-heavy textures that define Djo’s sound. Live, those elements felt even more expansive. Keery’s music pulls from everywhere – The Cars, The Beatles, Steely Dan , and Tame Impala, which Keery appeared in Tame Impala’s music video Loser. With all these artists being audible inspirations, it never feels like an imitation. It’s cohesive, intentional, and most importantly, authentic. Djo doesn’t come off as a side project; but feels like a fully realized artistic identity. It is notable that he holds a lot of passion in his song writing.  

And clearly, it’s resonating. “End of the Beginning” has blown up in a major way, even breaking into the Billboard Hot 100. Not bad for someone most people still associate with a Scoops Ahoy uniform.  

If you aren’t able to see him, I’d strongly recommend listening to his projects if you haven’t already (that option’s certainly cheaper than the concert). Either way, the music serves as a great experience. His discography is interesting in the sense that his first album feels the most like a blend of the two that followed, rather than the other way around. The Crux is a fantastic project that leans into the rock elements of Twenty Twenty, which I will no doubt play into the ground this summer and in the upcoming years in anticipation of his next release. 

Channel 24 itself deserves a moment. Sacramento has needed a venue like this – mis-sized, clean, and with some of the best sound quality I have ever experienced at a show. I love that there has been an increase of amazing concerts and more artists coming to Sacramento through Channel 24. This was my second concert in Channel 24 and I just love it. No shade to Ace of Spades or Harlows here in Sacramento, but it is the best place with pretty great prices to watch your favorite up and coming artists.  

The only issue about the venue is that it gets crowded by the entrence/exit as they put one of the merch stands right in the entrance. But at the end of the day, it did not matter because I got some beautiful merch!  

For this concert, it was immediately packed in. It was actually difficult to find any area to stand, but luckily I found a pretty good spot to be able to see Joe Keery nice and up-close. The opener for the concert was Post Animal, who are an American psychedelic rock band from Chicago, Illinois formed in 2014. Which was actually the band that Joe Keery was previously a part of.  

Although I did not know many of their songs, they were amazing live. The band was amazing, very vibrant, loud, and energetic. It felt like watching a band from the early 2000s. The whole crowd was into them, everyone dancing, bobbing their heads, and went even crazier when Joe Keery himself came out in a mirrorball helmet to play and go crazy on the stage. Makes sense since it was his old band!  

After Post Animals finished their set, I could tell that they really vibed with the Sacramento crowd…because the lead singer said so. But twenty minutes later Djo came on the stage and the crowd went crazy!  

The set opened on a slower, more atmospheric note with “Awake” and “Uglyfisherman,” before shifting gears and having the whole crowd dancing to his hit, “Basic Being Basic.”From that point on, the energy never dipped. Keery’s vocals were consistent with his recordings, and the venue’s sound system being the clearest it ever was, and the synth made me feel transcendental. This show is now considered one of my favorites.  

One of the standout moments came during the extended synth breakdown following “Potion” and “Love Can’t Break the Spell.” For a few minutes, the concert transformed into something closer to a nightclub. Truly a fun dancing moment. It was one of those rare moments where you stop watching the show and start feeling it.  

Another highlight? It was not only when everyone sang, “End of Beginning,” but the encore that followed. Singing “Chateau (Feel Alright).” That moment, more than anything else, captured what makes live music so addictive and concerts so fun – that sense of shared emotion of everyone locking into the same wavelength at once. 

At every concert I feel a connection with everyone there as we all share the same love for the same artist we all came to see, but this concert I have never felt an intense energy and connection with everyone in the venue as we all synchronized our attention, behavior, and love for this song and artist. Sociologists might call it “collective effervescence.” I just call it magic.   

The show closed with a collaborative performance of  “Flash Mountain,” bringing Post Animal back onstage and tying the whole evening together.  

Afterward, we hung around outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of Keery. We waited. And waited. And, of course, the second we left to grab Raising Cane’s, he came out and greeted fans. 

Tragic. 

Still, missed opportunity aside, the night was a reminder that Djo is operating on a level that deserves serious attention. Yes, his acting career may have opened the door but his music is what’s keeping people in the room. With just three albums, The Crux already feels like the work of an artist hitting his stride. 

Since the concert, The Crux has been on repeat on my spring Playlists, and even making its way into my radio rotation. It’s the kind of album that lingers, pulling you back in with every listen. This album has since reignited my love for Keery so much that during my trip to New York in January, I found myself half-jokingly, half-seriously keeping an eye out for Keery around every corner. 

If you haven’t listened yet, start now. Seeing him live would be ideal, but trust me, even through headphones, Djo delivers an experience worth getting lost in.