Berkeley, CA - Australian singer and songwriter Vance Joy opened his North American Nation of Two Tour at the Greek Theatre on Friday, April 13, dazzling fans with his upbeat and folksy sound.

The 30-year-old rose to stardom with hit singles Riptide and Mess is Mine from his 2014 debut Dream Your Life Away. 

Performing largely front-and-center with just his guitar and microphone, Joy weaved his way through his 2018 follow-up project with a light-hearted approach and an ear-to-ear smile.

That smile, he revealed in a tangent off his announcement that Little Boy was directly inspired by a traumatic memory from his own child, was once a source of pain.

The bicycle accident spurring the song left Joy requiring an oversized prosthetic tooth. One he would eventually come to learn glows in the dark, and even develop a strange pride for.

His music, much like his attitude, invokes a sense of freedom in the ups-and-downs of everyday life.

From start to finish, this show was built on pure-hearted emotion and fun.

An unexpected combination cover of Lionel Richie's All Night Long and Justin Bieber's Sorry leading up to the night-capping Saturday Sun kept the groove moving to the last strum.

Los Angeles alt-rockers Lovelytheband kicked off the night as the sun set over the UC-Berkeley campus and surrounding bay area.

Frontman Mitchy Collins announced that the night was made that much more special as they had released their breakout single Broken one year ago to the day.

The song was written during a dark time in his life, he announced to the crowd as the group concluded their set.

"Know that it's ok to not be ok sometimes," he said.

Follow Vance Joy on:

Facebook Twitter Soundcloud Website

Follow Lovelytheband on:

Facebook Twitter Soundcloud Website