Djo Brings Frenzy to Forest Hills

Meet Djo

Djo is the musical project of actor, producer, and songwriter Joe Keery, whose approach to indie rock has quickly transformed the project from a side venture into one of alternative music’s most exciting success stories. Blending rock, synth-pop, and bedroom indie into an unmistakable sound, Djo first broke through with Twenty Twenty before earning widespread critical acclaim with DECIDE.

The viral success of “End of Beginning” introduced millions to his music, but longtime fans know Djo’s catalog stretches far beyond “one hit”. His latest era continues to showcase Keery’s gift for pairing introspective songwriting with lush production, creating songs that feel equally nostalgic and futuristic. Onstage, Djo combines playful moments and an unmistakable connection with his audience, resulting in performances that feel as immersive as they are emotionally resonant.

The Show

If there was any lingering doubt that Djo has become one of indie rock’s biggest live draws, it disappeared the moment Joe stepped onto the stage at Forest Hills Stadium. The Queens crowd greeted him with deafening screams that rarely subsided throughout the evening, creating an atmosphere that felt closer to a cultural phenomenon than a typical concert. Walking out of the venue afterward, one fan perfectly summarized the collective feeling: “This must’ve been what Beatlemania was like.” Judging by the overwhelming consensus among concertgoers—many calling it one of the best concerts they’ve ever seen—they may not have been exaggerating.

Opening with “Awake,” Djo immediately established the night’s dreamy yet explosive tone. Surrounded by vibrant visuals and backed by a razor-sharp band, Keery effortlessly moved between shimmering synth-pop, psychedelic rock, and funky indie grooves. Songs like “Change,” “Basic Being Basic,” and “Link” highlighted the musical evolution that has made Djo one of the most exciting names in music, while “Lonesome Is a State of Mind” and “Potion” slowed things down just enough to let the emotional weight of the songwriting shine through.

The middle of the set balanced introspection with playful theatrics. “Roddy,” “Fool,” and “Figure You Out” kept the energy soaring before one of the evening’s biggest surprises arrived during “Charlie’s Garden.” As fans anticipated the song’s signature phone call gag, the screen lit up with an unexpected caller: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The appearance of Mamdani’s instantly iconic grin sent Forest Hills into absolute chaos, with the crowd erupting into some of the loudest screams of the night before the song continued.

From there, Djo rolled through “Gap Tooth Smile,” “Delete Ya,” “Fly,” and “Egg,” each met with massive singalongs. By the time the opening notes of “End of Beginning” arrived—with an extended intro building anticipation—the stadium was buzzing. The extended outro allowed the moment to linger, with fans refusing to let the energy dissipate.

The encore only elevated the evening further. After returning for “Chateau (Feel Alright),” Keery paused to dedicate “Back on You” to his sisters, who were in attendance, creating one of the night’s most heartfelt moments before launching into the emotional fan favorite.

Just when it seemed the night had reached its peak, Keery playfully acted as though the show was over. Moments later, however, longtime collaborators Post Animal walked onto the stage, prompting another eruption from the crowd. Together, they performed “Flash Mountain” for the first time on the 2026 Summer Tour, a surprise tour debut that rewarded dedicated fans with a rare and unforgettable finale.

Setlist

• Awake
• Change
• Basic Being Basic
• Link
• Lonesome Is a State of Mind
• Potion
• Roddy
• Fool
• Figure You Out
• Charlie’s Garden
• Gap Tooth Smile
• Delete Ya
• Fly
• Egg
• End of Beginning (extended intro and outro)

Encore

• Chateau (Feel Alright)
• Back on You (dedicated to Joe Keery’s sisters)
• Flash Mountain (with Post Animal; 2026 Summer Tour debut)

Djo’s meteoric rise has often been attributed to the viral success of “End of Beginning,” but Forest Hills proved something much bigger. Joe Keery has cultivated a fanbase that doesn’t just know one song—they know every lyric, every joke, and every surprise. Between the production, unexpected guest appearances, and one of the loudest crowds Forest Hills has hosted in recent memory, Djo delivered the kind of concert people spend years talking about. If the conversations echoing through Queens afterward were any indication, this wasn’t just another stop on a summer tour—it was one of those rare shows fans will measure every future concert against.

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