THE MAINE TURN THE NOVO INTO A UNIFIED, ALL-OUT CELEBRATION OF ‘JOY NEXT DOOR’
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY JOSIE CRUZ
Upon arriving at The Novo, the tone was already set. A sea of green surrounded the venue, fans dressed head to toe in support of The Maine’s upcoming album Joy Next Door. Once inside, floor ticket holders made a beeline for the barricade, locking in early for what would be a packed night.
Before the headliner took over, the “I Love You, But I Chose The Maine” tour rolled out three openers, each bringing a different shade of rock to warm things up.
Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines kicked things off with an Americana-leaning set that immediately pulled the crowd in. Jonas moved through the stage with a loose, confident energy, even stepping into the crowd to dance alongside fans. Closing with their new single “High and Sad,” they left a strong first impression.
When Grayscale took the stage, the atmosphere shifted. Orange and purple backlighting flooded the room, matching the band’s clover-themed stage visuals. Their set leaned into a funkier, pop-punk groove, driven by punchy drums and sharp lead guitar work that had the crowd moving in sync.
Nashville’s Nightly closed out the opening run with a polished, synth-heavy performance. Their glowing heart-shaped lighting cycled from blue to pink, mirroring the aesthetic of their songs to drive to-era. The trio balanced their energy well, trading off moments between frontmen Jonathan Capeci and Joey Baretta while giving space for drummer Nicholas Sainato to shine. By the end of their set, the room was fully locked in.
By the time The Maine were set to go on, the venue was completely filled. The floor stretched back to the bar and merch tables, and the balcony was lined with fans waiting it out. Even from the photo pit, it was clear this was going to be one of those nights.
When The Maine hit the stage, everything opened up. The lighting design blended silhouettes with warm, grounded tones, complementing a stage setup that felt almost like a lived-in studio space. The crowd met them at full energy, singing along to everything, even surprising the band when a fan crowd-surfed during one of their softer, acoustic moments.
That moment seemed to push the band even further. Mid-set, they brought out Charlotte Sands for “Loved You A Little,” giving the Los Angeles crowd something extra.
What stood out most wasn’t just the performance, but the room itself. Fans of all ages moved together, parents, longtime supporters, and newer listeners all sharing the same space. It felt less like a typical show and more like something communal.
Nearly twenty years into their career, The Maine took a moment to reflect, expressing gratitude for the ability to keep doing what they love. To close the night, they brought out the openers and friends for “Take Me Dancing,” turning the stage into a full-circle celebration.
For a brief moment, it felt like nothing could divide the room. The band and the crowd moved as one, something closer to a shared experience than just a concert.
