By: Chloe Breen, Sports layout and Photography director
As the countdown reached ten, the anticipation in the RIT Gordon Field House was electric. Young fans stomped their feet, the crowd roared and psychedelic tunes filled the air. When Mt. Joy took the stage, the energy soared as vibrant beams of blue, green and red light danced across the room. They kicked off the show with their hit song "Sheep," led by Matt Quinn whose vocals delivered a captivating blend of vibrancy and mellowness.
Known for their soulful indie sound, Mt. Joy truly delivered in this concert. I had the privilege of photographing the first three songs. The chemistry among band members – Quinn, guitarist Sam Cooper and keyboardist Jackie Miclau – was palpable. One standout moment was during "Jenny Jenkins," a song inspired by Quinn’s cultural shock moving from Philadelphia to California. Through my camera lens, I captured Miclau’s emotions as she passionately sang along to the lyrics, holding up her fingers to represent the lyrics, "one by one, two by two".
The final song I shot was "Orange Blood," a new release from their latest album that showcased the band’s instrumental prowess. As orange lights flashed behind them, the energy in the pit was exhilarating, fans enthusiastically singing along, the sound of their voices even leaked through my earplugs. The connection between the audience and the band created a truly magical atmosphere.
Navigating through the crowd was a challenge. It felt like a cramped subway train and fans were reluctant to move (and honestly, I didn’t blame them). Yet, I managed to capture some fantastic shots while learning the importance of movement – a big camera can be unwelcome in tight spaces. Before I knew it, my three songs were up, and I set my camera aside to fully enjoy the concert with my sister. As an avid fan, it was easy to get lost in the music.
One of the highlights of the show was their clever blending of older classics. During "Julia," they infused elements from Bill Withers’ "Ain’t No Sunshine" and Gnarls Barkley’s "Crazy." This seamless transition allowed them to showcase their extraordinary musical skills while engaging the audience during a five-minute jam session. Coupled with RIT's stunning visuals, this concert is one for the books.
As a concert lover and photographer, I highly recommend catching Mt. Joy live at least once, and RIT is a fantastic venue for such performances. This was my second concert photography experience, and while it was nerve-wracking, it was a blast, as was the concert!
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