REVIEW: ATL "Gets So Hot" with MUNA at The Eastern
The iconic queer band remains as honest as ever while still being a blast to see live
Prior to seeing MUNA live, I was notified via the band’s Instagram that their Atlanta tour stop would be quite a bit different than their usual fare. Naomi McPherson, one of the leading faces of the pop/rock trio, would not be present due to personal matters involving the loss of their mother. Fans and fellow band members shared their condolences, and with the help of friend Lou Roy, the group was able to continue the tour and fulfill McPherson’s wishes for the band.
Even so, MUNA still delivered to the max on their ATL stop for this year’s Gets So Hot Tour. Promoting their new record, Dancing on the Wall, one of the landmark queer groups of the past decade proved how crucial they are to their community with a show that was both entertaining and incredibly honest.
Seeing Katie Gavin and Josette Maskin slowly enter the stage alongside interim member Lou Roy, the joy erupting from The Eastern was illustrious. What’s instantly clear is that MUNA has nothing to hide. Whether it’s their personal and revealing pop hits or their amusing antics on stage, their protests and social activism never once feels plastic or tacked on. They walk the walk and talk the talk, adding to the charm whenever they decide to discuss the meaning of the universe or ride a mic stand.
My favorite part of MUNA’s newest tour was their acoustic set towards the middle of the night. It’s a chance for the band to break away from the theatrics, the party, and their signature, poppy “queer joy” sound to really be face-to-face with each other and the fans. Speaking of said queer joy, Gavin and Maskin each shared their perspective on what it was like to be boxed in by critics, sponsors, and more with that musical label. Fitting into what others thought of them came as a shock to MUNA, whose mantra since day one has been about doing what they love, regardless of what sells.
This also played into the aforementioned grief of this tour stop. Lou Roy was very much welcomed in as a live band member and gave insight into what this side of the tour has been like for them. Gavin’s individual spiritual journey was also shared, with the singer stating that they’ve warmed up to the possibility of some greater power or love into the universe in this season. This feeling was exemplified tenfold on these past few tour dates, but I think that Maskin explained her perspective the best: the higher power in the universe might be the human connection and love felt at shows like this in tandem with what Gavin described. As someone who was entranced in this performance and crowd, it’s hard to disagree that the feelings we bond over at shows like this aren’t a force of special power in and of themselves.
Article and photos by Mikey Smith. Please credit @mts2.photo or @art.seen.atl if reposting on social media.
