REVIEW: ATL Loves JVB - Joey Valence & Brae's HYPERYOUTH x Monster Energy Outbreak Tour
- Olivia Smith
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
The pop-rap duo resurrects the Y2K club scene with their dance-fueled new tracks
I first stumbled into Joey Valence and Brae in January 2022, just a few short weeks after the release of “Double Jump.” With its blast-from-the-past production and witty video game references, the punchy track solidified their place on my musical radar. The hip-hop duo, often shortened to JVB, came on the scene as a nostalgic reincarnation of The Beastie Boys with an extra dose of punk power.
Though the bulk of their success has been found in the digital sphere (you’ve probably heard viral tracks like “OK” and “HOOLIGANG” over fit checks and skate tricks), it’d be a disservice to reduce JVB to the confines of “internet music.” The pair represents a new wave of artistry, one that manages to build an old-school fanbase while maximizing the democratized creative capabilities of social media.
I caught JVB’s Shaky Knees set last September (their second appearance at the festival), and it was a raucous and rowdy celebration of friendship and youth. What marked me the most was the Atlanta crowd’s consistent engagement from start to finish. Longtime listeners and casual festivalgoers alike were having the time of their lives—not a single second of downtime. Before the band even set foot onstage, one thing was instantly clear: ATL Loves JVB.
On Tuesday, Joey Valence and Brae performed in Heaven at The Masquerade as featured headliners on the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour, a bonus U.S. leg of their HYPERYOUTH World Tour. As they geared up to hit the road, JVB posted a set of tour rules on Instagram, a list of principles ensuring attendees would make the most of their night. To recap Tuesday, I decided to see how the evening lined up with these guidelines.
Rule #2: Wear A Cool Outfit. — As fans started to fill Heaven, I noticed that the styles in the room were reflective of JVB’s genre-bending discography. Some fans leaned into 90s streetwear, mirroring the group’s initial in-your-face hip-hop sounds. Others were inspired by the atmosphere of their newest album, HYPERYOUTH, rocking carefully-coordinated Y2K thrifts from head to toe. However, the Coolest Outfit Award undoubtedly went to opener Joshua Raw. Donning a fur hat, cherry-colored scarf, and a shaggy, mop-like outfit, the North Carolina-based rapper kicked off the night in a getup inspired by his newest EP, SASQUATCH. Raw introduced himself as “The Biggest Steppa,” a nod to this Bigfoot persona.
It’s a fitting title: Raw’s larger-than-life stage presence had the crowd hooked. Running back and forth across the stage, he warmed up the room with high-energy tracks like “SUBURBIA” and “ALL AMERICAN.” Raw’s partners from his alt-pop/rap project Biking With Francis, Garrett Sparrow and maximilian, stepped out from behind the DJ booth to join in on two tracks. Many openers face an uphill battle whilst working to win over an audience, but from his first appearance to his final bow, Raw ensured that he left a lasting (Big)footprint on his new fans.
Rules #3, #8, & #9: No Egos Allowed. Bring A Friend. Make A Friend. — The crowd at a JVB show is something that needs to be seen to be believed. While waiting for the second opener, I spotted a pal from college on the other side of the balcony. We caught up on life—or attempted to, at least, as a joyful chaos ensued around us. From mini “Rock Paper Scissors” tournaments to a massive, audience-wide endeavor to launch a beach ball and a Smiling Friends Glep plush into the balcony, friendships were actively forming all throughout the venue. This camaraderie is typical of a JVB show, and it’s only strengthened by the real-life bromance between Joey Valence and Brae.
Later in the night, during coming-of-age anthem “LIVE RIGHT,” the artists praised fans for their kindness and encouraged them to introduce themselves to a neighbor if they had not done so already. “Everybody in this room is friends tonight,” Brae shouted into the mic. This sentiment didn’t feel like a cliché or demand. Rather, it was an observation of the pre-existing energy in the room.
Rules #1 & #7: Dancing Is Mandatory. Mosh Pits Required. — If there’s one thing you’re going to do at a JVB show, it’s dance. HYPERYOUTH shifts away from their usual rap stylings and further towards the “recession pop” hits of the mid-2000s club scene. Before the headliners came out, DJ Ewook popped in to give the crowd a taste of what the night would hold. In addition to their routine hype tracks (“Rollin’” by Limp Bizkit and “Move B*tch” by Ludacris had fans moshing both here and at Shaky Knees), the DJ incorporated iconic club staples that always cause a rush to the dancefloor. Fans sang their hearts out to “Die Young” by Kesha, “I Got A Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas, and, of course, “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga (a cheeky reference to Brae’s request on “BUST DOWN”: “I’m doing good, I just got one problem / This DJ sucks, can you play some Gaga?”).
Rules #4 & #6: Live In The Moment. Scream The Lyrics. — When Joey Valence and Brae finally took the stage, the dancing and moshing tripled. Fans went absolutely berserk, and just like the Shaky show, it was a non-stop, action-packed hour of fun. The set began with the album’s opener/title track, a perfect launch into this new era. The audience chanted along to the catchy hooks on JVB classics “STARTAFIGHT” and “WASSUP,” and during a mashup of “FREAKS” “GUMDROP,” and “Napalm,” a crowd-surf assembly line formed. Security hoisted one patron after another out of the pit and over the barricade, sending them speeding back to the floor to rejoin the fun. Atlanta attendees also witnessed an advance performance of “bustamove” from the upcoming HYPERYOUTH (afterparty) deluxe album.
The duo’s main set ended on a high note with one of their biggest hits, “PUNK TACTICS”—fans went nuts as soon as they heard the opening brass section. A double encore of dancefloor anthem “THE BADDEST” and introspective reflection “DISCO TOMORROW” served as the cherry on top, but the night wasn’t quite over yet.
Rules #5 & #10: No VIP Tickets. Leave Covered In Sweat. — Normally, concertgoers tend to rush out of shows in hopes of beating the standard parking deck pandemonium. At a JVB show, you’re encouraged to stick around. The duo bowed and hopped offstage and into the photo pit. For half an hour, they greeted fans at the barricade, signing merch, taking selfies, and having real conversations with as many people as they could. These post-show meetups provide an accessible opportunity for listeners to link with the artists in an authentic way. There may come a day where Joey Valence and Brae are too big for this sort of thing, but even with three albums, digital fame, and a world tour under their belt, they still go the extra mile to forge real-life connections with audiences beyond the screen.
Once again, Joey Valence and Brae delivered an out-of-this-world experience. Their outrageous energy made for a high-octane dance party to remember, and ATL is already gearing up for whatever wild shenanigans JVB will bring upon their return.
Article by Olivia Smith. Photos by Mikey Smith. Please credit @mts2.photo or @art.seen.atl if reposting on social media.
