JOY TO THE WORLD: JOYWAVE TURNS ROCHESTER INTO A HOLIDAY DANCEFLOOR AT ANTHOLOGY
It’s the last days before the holidays. Offices are closed, holiday parties are raging, and shops are packed with patrons. The good people of Rochester, NY are eager and excited for a perennial jolly return. I’m of course referring to the return of Joywave, Rochester’s premier indie pop act that has made a name for themselves as a unique force in music.
After a year of touring, Joywave returns to Rochester for their second annual holiday show, Joy 2 The World, to celebrate not just the season, but the city they call home. This year featured a full weekend of festivities, from a pop-up merch store and themed coffee offerings to a Sunday music video screening and Q&A at a local theater. All of it culminated in two nights at Anthology.
Saturday’s sold-out show had a line down the block as Christmas music set the scene inside the venue. The stage was decorated with large wrapped presents, giant ornaments, and a rotating tree with lights and tinsel hanging from the ceiling. It felt like the perfect setting for a holiday gathering. The crowd was diverse, both young and old, with Joywave shirts everywhere. Not surprising, as the band’s appeal and following have grown immensely, with fans traveling from miles away just to be at this show. It was the kind of merriment and community the holidays are all about.
Opening both nights was Joe P, a strong solo songwriter accompanied by his band. They brought the indie rock swagger you expect from up-and-coming acts. Friends at the show likened their style to Arctic Monkeys meets Young the Giant. They wore their influences proudly, with Strokes-esque riffs and Thom Yorke–style vocals. Joe P performed with a ton of enthusiasm, clearly having fun alongside the band. Colorful, vibrant lighting made for great photographic moments throughout the set.
The performance really shined during the more upbeat songs, though a few slower, more experimental grooves were sprinkled in, showing serious potential from an already strong songwriter. It felt like a refreshing nod to indie rock from the aughts, while still fitting seamlessly into a modern playlist. Joe kept banter to a minimum aside from a brief band introduction, which felt like a missed opportunity to connect more deeply with the crowd. Even so, the audience steadily warmed up, heads nodding near the front and cheers erupting during their dramatic final song. It was a strong performance and the perfect warm-up for the main event.
The Christmas changeover music gave way to Joywave’s arrival, as wrapping paper was torn away to reveal stacks of vintage TVs playing old Rochester-area commercials. It felt nostalgic and cozy, like being a kid again on Christmas Eve. It may have been December outside, but it felt like July inside, with the sold-out venue packed tight and buzzing with energy.
This was the second night of a two-night run, but Joywave came ready to pick up right where they left off. The set differed slightly from the previous evening, featuring a few deeper cuts like “In Clover” and “Anemone,” alongside several tracks from their recent album Permanent Pleasure. Their lighting and production truly shined on a smaller stage like this, with each color popping as the songs surged forward.
Frontman Daniel Armbruster brought his signature natural charisma, guitarist Joseph Morinelli dazzled with sharp, creative riffs, and drummer Paul Brenner anchored everything with powerful rhythm. The crowd was more than ready to dance and participate. At one point, the band handed out wrapped gifts to fans, prompting them to unwrap boxes that revealed the next song in the set.
Joywave has a special way of connecting with their audience. Their brand feels refined yet rebellious, self-aware yet self-deprecating, humorous while still serious. It perfectly captures the modern audience. Musically, their sound is fun and distinct, layered with synths, dance-ready rhythms, quirky lyrics, and hooks that land every time. They are clearly dialed into their craft in a way many bands strive for.
Fan favorites like “Tongues,” “It’s a Trip,” and “Obsession” sent the crowd into full motion, dancing and swaying throughout the venue. Armbruster showed excellent crowd control, at one point prompting the audience to crouch down and then jump back up together. He referenced the vintage commercials playing on the screens multiple times, drawing laughs and keeping the mood light. The entire room felt electric and genuinely fun.
As the set wound down, the band launched into their usual “Destruction” closer, followed by a true deep cut, “Smokestacks.” Its flute outro was teased before snapping back into “Destruction,” completing a bit the band has kept alive over the years. With its pounding beat and anthemic guitar lines, the crowd erupted from the front rows all the way to the back bar. It was an explosive conclusion, and a reminder that no one else is really doing it like Joywave.
It’s exciting to see a band like Joywave come out of Rochester and grow into this kind of phenomenon. It’s special not just for the band, but for the city itself. Often overlooked and wedged between much larger markets, Rochester is a place with rich history and deep creative potential. Joywave is Rochester, and that identity echoes through everything they do. Helping put the city on the map while curating events like this is exactly how it should be done.
