STACKED BILL FEATURED PUP, JEFF ROSENSTOCK, AND SLAUGHTERHOUSE

It was early in 2021 when I first experienced SoCal rockers Joyce Manor play a packed out house at The Hollywood Palladium. Two sold out shows to celebrate ten years of their self-titled debut, it was almost shocking but not quite since they always had the backing of their hometown following. That same following showed up to the band’s largest hometown show to date, the Long Beach Arena just two short years later.

The coldness of the night kept me walking pretty fast to the box office; I was just so happy to have physical tickets (sometimes they opt for digital and I keep mine as mementos). The arena was wrapped in artwork featuring creatures of the deep like whales and squid. I’d been in the building just once before during this past year’s ComplexCon, and I had enjoyed the venue for being huge yet intimate. It’s nothing compared to The Kia Forum or Crypto.com Arena, but that’s not a bad thing. At this time, Pup were already shredding to a huge crowd, having missed Slaughterhouse and Jeff Rosenstock. One fan was kept in the air, crowdsurfing to every song much to the joy of singer Stefan Babcock. I held onto the railing stage left until they finished their 50 minute set.

The merch line was too long to wait, but I did skim it. There were three separate tables to purchase from. The venue collected photographers on the right side of the stage so I went there and waited for the band to arrive. I turned around and actually saw them just hanging back while the stage was set up. Then the lights turned off after stagehands played The Cure’s “In Between Days” about three times. Joyce Manor took the stage with a brief interlude before thanking the crowd for coming out. “We’re Joyce Manor from right fucking here,” singer Barry Johnson shared as they went into newest record cut “NBTSA.”

The crowd got wild again with fans crowdsurfing and a naked inflatable doll making its way up to the photo pit. The security was well-staffed and actually pleasant for once. Some workers asked about the band and what music they played while others were making sure everyone was safe and one guy even moved his position so that photographers could be closer to the stage. That’s definitely something that doesn’t happen often. The first show of 2023 was refreshing for MMC, as the band constantly shared how their fans always showed up for them. The transition from playing small clubs and bars to packing out an arena should be an unreal realization, and Joyce Manor made sure they paid their respects to that. They jammed through favorites “Beach Community” and “Heart Tattoo” with a 22 song set. Confetti cannons shot out in celebration of the occasion and the band played a fantastic encore of heavy hitters “Five Beer Plan,” “Leather Jacket,” and “Catalina Fight Song,” cause how else would you want them to end?

I’m always half and half when it comes to local bands blowing up; you want them to stay small so you can catch them at intimate venues and meet them afterwards but you also wouldn’t mind them playing arenas with many more fans fighting for the railing. It’s a fleeting feeling, and you have to respect the time and effort it took the band to get here. I’m happy for Joyce Manor, coming from small clubs to playing great shows at Union Station, The Hollywood Palladium, and now the Long Beach Arena. Check out the setlist here!