"Joy’s Next Door, and The Maine Brought It"
—Marathon Music Works
On April 24th, 2026, The Maine made a commanding stop at Marathon Music Works, the warehouse venue known for hosting some of the city’s most electric live shows. Playing to a packed, near-capacity crowd, the band’s “I Love You, But I Chose The Maine” tour showcased the vibrant spirit of their latest album Joy Next Door, while still leaving room for fan-favorite staples like Taxi and Touch.
Opening the night for The Maine, Nashville’s very own Moody Joody set the tone with an infectious burst of energy that immediately pulled the crowd in. The pop trio delivered a vibrant, high-energy performance, blending catchy hooks with a polished stage presence that felt both confident and genuine. While much of their set leaned into upbeat, danceable rhythms, Moody Joody also carved out space for more introspective moments. Their songs explored themes of reflection, personal growth, and the seemingly small experiences that quietly shape who we become adding an emotional layer that resonated just as strongly as their more electric tracks.
Maybe we're in the danger zone, take me home
If you do, do it slow
What stood out most was how effortlessly they connected with the audience. By the time their set wrapped, it was clear they had done more than just warm up the room - they had won it over. Their sound proved to be a seamless complement to The Maine’s, making them a fitting and memorable start to the night.
I Love You But,
I Chose The Maine
Joy left a note
And some flowers by the window
She stays out of the background of love
Arizona-born alternative/emo group, The Maine, formed in 2007, took over Marathon Music Works on their I Love You But, I Chose The Maine tour, drawing a devoted crowd eager for a night that blended nostalgia with fresh energy. This tour highlights their new album, Joy Next Door. Over nearly two decades, the band has maintained an impressively steady release schedule, evolving their sound while staying true to their roots. Though their influences echo bands like Third Eye Blind and Death Cab for Cutie, The Maine have long since refined a style that feels distinctly their own.
True to form, The Maine delivered a performance fueled by relentless energy and genuine connection. Front man John O'Callaghan commanded the stage with charisma, effortlessly blending heartfelt delivery with off-the-cuff humor between songs. That sense of intimacy of a band fully in sync with its audience elevated the show beyond a typical tour stop. By the final notes, it was clear: whether longtime fans or first-timers, everyone in the room left with something memorable.
Midway through the set, the energy hit a new peak when the band surprised fans by bringing out Charlotte Sands for a live rendition of Loved You A Little, the 2023 breakup anthem also featuring Adam Lazzara of Taking Back Sunday. The unexpected collaboration drew one of the loudest reactions of the night, a testament to the song’s emotional pull and the crowd’s investment.
There was no dip in energy from the band, and the audience matched them step for step. Even the newer songs were met with full-volume singalongs, as if they’d already become longtime favorites, each chorus echoing back from the crowd. By the time they closed with “Right Girl” and “Black Butterflies and Deja Vu,” the room felt completely locked in, every moment charged with a sense of connection between band and fans. It was clear they had left everything on the stage. After a set that spanned fan favorites across their catalog, the night wound down with smiling faces, arms full of merch, and that lingering buzz that only a truly memorable show can leave behind.
