Performing under his stage name Djo (pronounced just like his name), the Stranger Things actor has clearly put in the work to separate his music from his acting career, and for the most part, he’s been successful.
Once known for donning wigs and wild outfits onstage, Keery stepped out in a simple yellow cardigan and Kansas City hat, smiling ear to ear. He’d later lose the hat, and I can’t say I’m not jealous of how his hair bounces back after being in a cap.
“I was just in Arizona a few months ago,” he told the crowd, looking genuinely happy to be back. He’s been bouncing around the music festival scene lately, hitting Coachella and Lollapalooza before just wrapping Austin City Limits. Now he’s on the road for the Another Bite Tour, with California up next.
Keery’s recent TikTok success with “End of Beginning” turned him from an indie favorite into a viral sensation, but his latest project, The Crux, proves he’s more than a one-hit wonder. The album moves between upbeat bops like “Basic Being Basic” and “Delete Ya,” synthy ballads like “Egg,” and romantic tracks like “Potion.”
Surprisingly, Djo didn’t save the hits for last. He opened with “Awake” from The Crux Delux and immediately jumped into “Basic Being Basic.” From there, it was clear Keery was feeding off the crowd’s energy; every lyric echoed back at him by an audience that knew every word. Even his second track off the delux album, “Love Can’t Break the Spell,” had the crowd swaying and phone lights flickering.
Throughout the night, Keery alternated between dancing, playing keyboard, and letting his bandmates take the spotlight. It’s all about the music with this one, though he still knows how to put on an engaging show from start to finish. The stage lights were practically a member of the band, pulsing and shifting perfectly with each track.
Keery sounds exactly like he does on the record, maybe even better. His vocals are smooth, sincere, and often emotional. It’s an infectious show, even with the slower, more introspective songs woven throughout the radio hits.
Naturally, “End of Beginning” appeared near the end of the set, but Djo returned for two more songs before calling it a night. The finale, “Flash Mountain” (joined by his friends and former band members Post Animal), the theater had transformed into a full-on strobe-lit rave.
Between “Delete Ya,” “Back on You,” and my personal favorite, “Chateau (Feel Alright),” it’s hard to pick just one standout moment. If I had to, though, it might be “Potion.” There was a moment when Keery was singing and an audience member waved a bi flag, and it just felt right. Romantic, dreamy, and inclusive. That’s the energy Djo radiates, and it’s why his shows feel less like concerts and more like shared, intimate experiences. He loves performing, and we love him for it.
