10.28.26 - Austin, TX
There was something about the energy in the room that made it difficult to stand still and even harder to feel like you had to be anything other than yourself. From the first notes of the evening to the final singalong, Austin was given a night that felt less like attending a concert and more like stepping into a space where everyone was welcome to let go. With Feel Trip opening the evening and Almost Monday taking the stage, the foundation was set for a night built on movement, connection, and the kinds of freedom that come from being completely comfortable in your surroundings.
Photo by DeAnna Garza - @shotbydeanna
As the second stop of their first tour, Feel Trip wasted no time capturing the attention of the room. Their bilingual, self-described “Spanglish indie rock” felt especially fitting for Austin, bringing together different sounds and influences in a way that immediately resonated with the crowd. Cheers came quickly, friends danced and jumped alongside one another, and hands were raised throughout the set. Even the instrumental buildups and bridges seemed to bring out some of the loudest reactions of the evening, with the crowd responding just as enthusiastically to the music between the lyrics as they did to the songs themselves. They also gave fans a taste of something new, performing “Siete Veces," which was officially released Oct 30th. It was clear that plenty of people had come specifically to see Feel Trip, and by the time their set came to a close, they had given the room every reason to remember their name.
But if Feel Trip got the room moving, Almost Monday made sure there was never a reason to stop.
Photo by DeAnna Garza - @shotbydeanna
The moment the band stepped onto the stage, the room erupted. The pit was packed with fans eager to get as close as possible, making it nearly impossible to move through the crowd. There was an unmistakable excitement in the air, but what made the atmosphere so special was how naturally the band gave that energy right back. Almost Monday have a way of making a room feel smaller, not through the size of the stage or the production, but through their willingness to meet the crowd where they are. They danced, moved freely across the stage, and made themselves comfortable in the space they shared with their fans.
It was the kind of show where you could look in any direction and find someone completely lost in the music. Friends were jumping together, couples were dancing, kids were moving alongside their parents, and hands seemed to be permanently raised. During “Lost,” nearly every hand in the room went up. There was no concern about taking up too much space or what anyone else might think. People were simply there to have a good time, and that freedom became one of the defining characteristics of the evening.
“Sunburn” brought one of the loudest reactions of the night, with fans singing every word back to the stage before transitioning into “Superprism.” The energy never seemed to dip. Even the moments between songs felt like an extension of the performance. with the band continually finding ways to engage the audience rather than allowing the distance between stage and floor to settle in.
One of the most memorable moments came when the band counted the crowd into “You Get What You Give” by New Radicals. It was a perfect choice for a room already filled with people of different ages, backgrounds, and experiences, all brought together by the same thing. As the familiar song filled the venue, voices blended together in a collective singalong. There was something particularly fitting about choosing a song that practically invites everyone to join in. For a few minutes, it didn’t matter who had come with friends, who had arrived alone, or who had been following the band for years. Everyone had a place in that moment.
Photo by DeAnna Garza - @shotbydeanna
As the set slowed down for an acoustic portion, the room found a different kind of energy. “Losing Streak” gave the crowd an opportunity to take over the vocals, with fans loudly singing, “Gonna be right back; just hold tight.” During “Leaving Is Easy,” lights and lighters rose throughout the venue, creating a quieter but equally connected moment. It was a reminder that the band’s ability to captivate the room didn’t depend on keeping the volume turned all the way up. Whether dancing, shouting lyrics, or swaying with a lighter in the air, the crowd remained just as present.
What made the evening stand out, though, wasn’t simply how loud the room became or how many people knew every word. It was the environment that made those reactions possible. Almost Monday has built something that feels remarkably comfortable. Their performances invite people to move, sing, dance, laugh, and participate without worrying about how they might be perceived. The band doesn’t demand that kind of freedom from the audience; they demonstrate it themselves, and the crowd follows.
There is something special about an artist who can make hundreds of people feel as though they have permission to let their guard down. For a few hours, the outside world becomes considerably less important. You don’t have to know everyone around you, have the perfect dance moves, or even know every lyric. You just have to be there.
With Feel Trip setting the foundation and Almost Monday carrying that energy through the night, Austin was given more than a lineup of great performances. It was given a reminder of what live music can be at its best: a place where strangers become part of the same experience, where joy is contagious, and where being unapologetically yourself is not only accepted but encouraged.
And judging by the voices still singing, the hands still raised, and the smiles scattered throughout the room, Austin had absolutely no intention of holding back.
