Last Updated on August 15, 2024

Mt. Joy and Local Natives are taking over the Hollywood Bowl at the end of the month to fill the amphitheater and surrounding hills with their music. It all goes down on Sunday, August 25th at 7pm part of the KCRW Festival—a showcase of two phenomenal L.A. bands that have more than earned their spot on such a prestigious stage. Tickets for the concert start at just $15, but you can also win a pair through a giveaway that we’ll be running soon. Subscribe to our newsletter to be among the first to know when the giveaway drops.

This feature was written by Steven Ward and produced and co-written by Sandra B. Olinger.

A double-bill lineup you can’t possibly pass up

I, for one, absolutely adore these double-bill concerts because they always feel like special one-off shows. They always bring together two artists or bands that otherwise might not share a tour. They also highlight the shared strengths of each act: here we have two long-grinding indie bands, both having spent years cutting their teeth in venues across Los Angeles, appearing together on one of its largest stages.

If you drew a ven-diagram that contained every single listener of Mt. Joy and Local Natives, chances are that the center oval would be crowded by fans known to go weak at the knees over a good harmony. Both bands bring their share of rousing and heart-wrenching harmonies—so even if you’re familiar with one more than the other—audiences of either are going to walk away from this show with a new favorite band.

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Mt. Joy brings wistful indie-folk with bite

Now, I don’t know what your imagination conjures up when someone says “indie-folk,” but if you find yourself hesitant, let me assure you that Mt. Joy’s music is free of whatever trite radio-play folk-pop you’re thinking of. Originally from Philadelphia, this five-piece has no trouble weaving a lyricism that is at once tender and eviscerating, and they pair that searing honesty with intricate tangles of twanging guitars, furious riffs, and a general foot-stomping urgency. This is folk you’re meant to howl your heart out along to—and with three sublime LPs under their belt—you’ve just enough time to get acquainted with these wailing rural rockers.

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Take in the sweeping melodic splendor of Local Natives

In the last two years, Local Natives released a pair of albums that found them leaning into the grandiose balladry that had sometimes gushed and billowed through on past projects. To say that both Time Will Wait For No One (2023) and But I’ll Wait For You (2024) are two albums I’d die to hear live, in full, at a venue as acoustically accommodating of their sweeping soundscapes or unbottled emotion would be a severe understatement. The Hollywood Bowl is simply the place to hear the sublimely bittersweet but radiant growths of “Just Before The Morning” or catch the zig-zagging grooves of “April” as they cut erratic but spellbinding paths over the amphitheater.

Another hometown treat from a beloved L.A. band

We’ve been covering the Local Natives for well over a decade, and it has been nothing but a joy to watch them grow into the band they are today. Back when they were just openers for White Rabbits at the El Rey Theatre or playing small venues like the Satellite. They’ve played nearly every iconic space in Los Angeles—a city they’ve called home and made the backdrop of their heartwarming music—from the pristine YouTube Theater and spacious Hollywood Palladium to intimate haunts like the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever.

In other words, no matter what stage these guys are on, you can expect them to deliver a killer show, and no band seems to adore their fans more than they do. The only bittersweet thing about this show is that Kelcey Ayer, one-half of the band’s gorgeous vocals, announced his departure from the band in April. As previously reported, Ayer mentioned in a statement, “I’m excited to celebrate this last year of shows with you all (”I be here for the last phase of touring/ promoting TWWFNO & BIWFY, so the end isn’t quite here yet).”

While fans across social media have all been asking the same question—“Will Kelcey be performing?”—we can happily confirm that yes, Kelcey Ayer will perform with the Local Natives at the Hollywood Bowl.

We spoke to the music virtuoso, and when asked if he’ll be performing with the Local Natives at the Bowl, he shared the following:

“yea I’ll be there! I’m finishing out the rest of this year and we’ll prolly do one last thing top of next year, so I’m around for sure. After that it’s solo career street, just wrapping up a new record, excited to show you when it’s done. Won’t be jaws of love either, will be under my own name. We’ll talk sometime! See u at the bowl!”

Fans have a lot to be happy about with this news.

If you’re a Local Natives fan, especially one that has seen them grow from the small club stage, you absolutely cannot miss this show. We expect this hometown set to be one for the books, filled with familiar faces from the heyday of the East Hollywood / East Los Angeles music scene.

Arrive early for a Sunday dinner and a show experience

This is a weekend show, so getting to the Hollywood Bowl will be a breeze, but with Monday looming over, you’ll want to make the most of your Sunday trip to the amphitheater. The best way to do that is to get there early: gates open at 5:30pm, allowing you plenty of time to enjoy a picnic with a loved one or friends, introduce family members to the walking tour/museum, and just soak up the chance to experience an iconic Los Angeles venue without the frantic hustle and bustle of weekday shows. Sure, you can eat your food while you watch the concert, but with all that extra time, why not enjoy a romantic dinner or a pre-show picnic with your group?

Don’t forget! You can pack your drinks and food to bring to the Bowl. Get there early, snack, and chat in your seats before Local Natives and Mt. Joy hit the stage because you won’t want to hear any chatter once they go on. These two bands deserve your full attention, and true fans will agree with that sentiment.

Should you choose from the concessions available at the Bowl, they’ve got an array of delicious street food-inspired options, and that’s just a tiny taste of what you can eat and enjoy at the Hollywood Bowl. Check out all their delectable food and drink offerings.