Joy (Anonymous) Bring Light to NYC on the Cult Classics Tour

Joy (Anonymous) warmed a New York City audience up with house dance songs from their latest album cult classics.

Joy (Anonymous) created a safe space through music at Knockdown Center in Queens this weekend. The show included three vibrant openers who warmed the crowd in the middle of a chilly, New York City night. The openers included New York native J. Louix, music producer and internet personality MARISOL, and Brooklyn-based artist Bad Tuner. Each opener had a unique sound that kept the crowd grounded until the Joy (Anonymous) set. 

Bad Tuner was the last DJ to go on before Joy (Anonymous). His musical connection to the music on the stage was infectious for concertgoers. It was impossible to not get as hyped about the bass drops as he was dancing back and forth throughout the set. He played his latest single “Could I” for the crowd before bringing out a special guest, Brooklyn vocalist Sebastian Adé. They gave a riveting performance of “Echorain” live, creating new fans in the audience who were hearing the song for the first time. 

By the end of Bad Tuner’s set, the crowd didn’t have to wait long for the stars of the night. Joy (Anonymous) went on within 5 minutes of Bad Tuner’s last song. The duo came out with an aura of quiet confidence and a beautiful blue hue while playing their 2021 single “Joy (Overcome).” 

“Joy (Overcome)” has a message about getting lost in the feeling you get when it’s just you and the music on the dance floor, fitting for the joyous people movement. Henry Counsell’s gritty vocals floated through the venue  His and Louis Curran’s stage presence carried the show even through brief technical difficulties with the mic onstage.   

A single-lit lightbulb stood at the center of the stage throughout their performance. The London duo is known for bringing it to a variety of their performances whether it’s a club in New York City or from the side of the River Thames. The excitement in the crowd intensified with performances of “Joy (Make Some Noise For Yourself)” and their rendition of Jungle’s hit “Back on 74.”

Joy (Anonymous) never let their smiles or their energy falter throughout the entire show. It was apparent that no matter the size of the crowd, they intended to transfer as much of what they needed to leave on the stage out into the crowd. The joyous people movement is all about having a space to let everything go, whether good or bad. Whether I was standing in the front row, or mingling with fans in the back, I felt protected and held by the space.