Jawny | St. Paul, MN

Jawny returned to the twin cities this week on a headlining tour in support of their newly-released album, It’s Never Fair, Always True. Supported by Wallice, LA-based indie gal best known for “23”, they played a sold-out show at downtown St. Paul’s Amsterdam Bar and Hall. 

Wallice played a 10-song set, kicking off with “90s American Superstar”, a track about the jaded LA dating scene. Wallice checks with the crowd to see if “anyone is named Michael here” before telling the crowd to “boo” them, a command which her fans oblige - laughing as they start “Hey Michael”. Sprinkling in a couple new songs alongside fan favorites, and closing her set with “23”, Wallice warmed the crowd up and set the scene for a great night. 

It was clear that the majority of fans came for Jawny - evidenced by their handmade signs adorned with hand drawn illustrations and glitter, and the high frequency buzz in the air as the set time grew near. Jawny appeared from the back of the stage to a bright back-lit stage, immediately driving the energy in the room from anxious excitement to full-blown party as he opened with “Best Thing”. 

Even though It’s Never Fair, Always True only released two weeks earlier, Jawny’s fans seemingly knew every lyric to “Adios”, “Lalala”, “True” and others sprinkled throughout the set. Exclaiming he was no longer “embarrassed to play this song,” the crowd let out their best dance moves for “Honeypie” in the middle of the set. Navigating his growing discography, Jawny kept the vibes high throughout, closing with “Tombstone Grey” and “Selfish Hate”. 

If I could describe the feeling in that room in one word, it would be “joy.” Throughout the show, Jawny exclaimed that this was the best date on the tour so far - and while that’s often pandering and lip-service - I can’t help but believe they were having just as much fun as their fans down in the pit. This is what indie-pop is meant to be.