NOV. 12
Alejandro's:
The stage appears totally dark now. A few minutes ago it got rocked by the Pom Pom Squad and the Backfires, two excellent openers, but now it’s silent as we wait for the main attraction, the Happy Fits, to arrive. Foil-set props glimmer faintly, and everyone’s staring at the big red lips hung behind the stage, but the band remains out of sight. Every concertgoer is hushed in anticipation, leaving the air empty for the sound of Frank Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” to float through the air. It’s the perfect entrance song, nostalgic and instantly recognizable, but also an obvious inspiration for many of the Happy Fits originals. Within seconds the crowd is singing along, until they erupt in cheers as the Happy Fits strut on stage.
They’ve got a confidence like no other band I’ve seen, the frontman Calvin walking with what can only be described as a cowboy swagger. He’s got the hat and vest to match, proudly displaying some Texan culture. Meanwhile, the rest of the band waves, showing off like rockstars in front of a million adoring fans. And they might as well be, because the crowd has the energy of a hundred million people. Every fan here is screaming in adoration, absolutely eating this intro up.
But the real magic starts when the band kicks into their first song, “Everything You Do.” The lead single of their new album Lovesick, it’s the perfect start to an unforgettable concert, amping the energy right up to a 10 as the crowd explodes with glee. Calvin wields his cello like a weapon, aggressive strokes of his bow accenting every massive beat. He’s the obvious centerpiece of the band, but the guitarists are no slouches when it comes to stage presence, leaning over the worshipping crowd like idols, before returning to their mics to deliver their four part harmonies.
The music itself is excellent, the live sound capturing all the nuances of the studio version while retaining that magical live music feeling. I'm totally immersed in the world of the Happy Fits, one with their soundtrack. The cello chants, the guitars wail, the toms boom, and all the while the crowd sings along with full energy.
But the best part about the concert is the unbelievably catchy music. I considered myself only a casual Happy Fits fan at the time, and I didn’t know the lyrics at all, but the songs are so well composed that you can sing along with any of them. It honestly felt like I’d known those songs for a long time, and I really felt like I belonged with the crowd. At that moment, I became a devoted Happy Fits fan. The whole experience felt enthralling, and I walked out of the venue with earworms that would last me weeks.
All in all, this concert was spectacular. The stage presence was 110%, the sound was perfect, and best of all, it was a showcase for some really great music. The Happy Fits blew me away, and they’re definitely going up there in my top 10 artists I’ve ever seen live. If you’re a casual fan, I would highly recommend seeing them on the 2026 continuation of the Lovesick Tour, because after that you won’t be a casual fan anymore.
"Her voice was one second as sweet as an angel and then as strong and hard-hitting as a hammer to the skull."
Vivian's:
Going into this interview and concert, I would not realize until later how much of an impact it would leave on me. When it comes to being a reporting intern on the blog team, I try to jump at every opportunity I can. So when my blog directors mentioned that they had press passes for The Happy Fits and needed two interns for the interview, I felt more than ready to volunteer. I had heard the band’s name before through word of mouth, but never dove deep into their discography. Several of my friends love their music, and I only heard snippets of their sound through shared aux in the car. When I told these same friends that I would not only be seeing The Happy Fits in concert but also interviewing them, they lost their shit.
To say I was nervous for this interview would be an understatement. Even though I had a dual blog intern and friend, Alejandro, with me, my anxiety was still through the roof. The worrisome laughter, the cold sweats, and of course, the back-and-forth pacing riddled me until the moments of the interview. Alejandro and I previously decided to split the questions between us, so neither of us would feel pressured to lead or take over the interview. This strategy proved to be useful because, at least in my opinion, Alejandro and I bounced very well off one another. Despite my concerns, I immediately felt welcomed by The Happy Fits. Their positivity and inviting demeanors put me at ease, allowing me to forget my motives for conducting the interview and instead, focus on the conversation we were having. While I won’t dwell on the interview since this section is supposed to be a concert review, I will say that The Happy Fits’ persona onstage feels just as palpable off. I deeply enjoyed talking with them, even sparking up a conversation with Nico Rose, the lead guitarist, as we exited the green room. If I ever could, I would love nothing more than to interview them again. This interview also cemented an epiphany for me: I want nothing more than to become a music journalist. I remember texting my mom later that night, informing her that I now knew what I wanted to do for a career and how I was so excited to have finally figured it out.
There are no words to describe the spectacularness that was The Happy Fits concert. After the interview concluded, we waited in line for a while, but it proved well worth it. Not only did we get to go to the concert for free, but we also enjoyed front row spots to witness the band’s wonder. It was standing room only, but as kind as The Happy Fits are, so are their fans, who made sure each person had enough room and a view of the stage. Soon enough, the openers started, the band having not only one but two openers: Pom Pom Squad and The Backfires. If only we could have interviewed them, too. Later, I learned that two of my friends were also in the crowd, one of them here for The Happy Fits and the other for The Backfires. I never would have guessed that I would have found three of my new favorite artists all in one night.
Even though the openers displayed completely different vibes, their onstage presences proved just as captivating. While they sang, played, and strutted across the stage, my bisexuality went off the rails. The Backfires, a group of four male rock stars, blessed the audience with insane guitar riffs and universally catchy and relatable themes of whirlwind romance and perpetual longing. Following up their performance was Pom Pom Squad, a predominantly female grunge and riot grrrl-inspired band. Their frontrunner, Mia Berrin, commanded the stage in a flowy dress, heeled boots, and the prettiest guitar I have ever seen. Both bands provided the perfect buildup to the spectacle that was The Happy Fits.
The crowd anxiously anticipated the band’s entrance, afraid to leave to go to the bathroom, in case, while they were gone, Nico, Calvin, Raina, and Luke made their arrival. Even while I talked to the people I came with, I didn't peel my eyes away from the stage, fearful I would miss the most important moment of the concert. The backdrop featured bright red lips with green vines curling around them, floating in the sky, a copy of their latest album cover. I ended up getting a t-shirt with the exact same logo, and it might have been the greatest purchase of my life. There were two silver pillars of tin foil propped on either side of the stage. This setup matched perfectly with the interesting interior of Emo’s.
Before I knew it, the lights dimmed and the crowd went wild with screams and wooing. I joined in, already feeling like a part of the fandom, despite being only a casual fan. It made it even more exciting that by that point, I had met those celebrities and had a thirty-minute conversation with them. I knew a little bit more about them and had seen a glimpse into their personalities. I could now say that I knew what kind and friendly people they were, and that just made me love them even more.
As their music started up and their vocals echoed around the auditorium, the crowd immediately sang along and shouted their praises. Calvin, the leadman, proved a master of the cello, plucking it with the utmost precision. His hands moved faster than I have ever seen, and his body became one with the cello. The fact that a cello was even a part of their instruments made them all the more intriguing. On top of his head, he wore a cowboy hat, manifesting his inner cowboy and fitting the Austin spirit.
Luke, one of the original members alongside Calvin, banged his drums with the passion of a man possessed. One of the snapshots I will always remember happened toward the end of the show: The Happy Fits played, “Mary”, a classic of theirs but as basic as it sounds, one of my favorites. Luke’s solo started the song off with the iconic lyrics, “Mary’s an animal, as sick as they come.” I can still picture how that night, Luke leaned up next to the microphone from the back as a beat followed every line he sang out. That is an image I will replay in my mind for the rest of eternity.
Nico, one of the guitarists, encapsulated the stage; I will forever be impressed by the way she handled the guitar, with both intensity and accuracy. She plucked the strings effortlessly, her hands never pausing or missing a note. Her starling point was definitely when, before the song “Lovesick”- another one of my favorites, much like all of their fans – she called, “Austin, are you lovesick?” in a singsong tune. If she were a siren, I would immediately be lured by her calling. Even though she stood on the opposite side from where I was standing, my eyes naturally drifted towards her. This reaction was partially because I felt like I clicked the most with her. She admitted to me that at one point, she wished to be an English major at UT (which I am). I think I might have been on cloud nine at that moment.
Raina, the other guitarist, embodied the epitome of a performer. Not only did her confidence radiate beyond natural explanation, but her adoration for the fans was perceivable. During our interview, we learned that she was the mastermind behind the band’s “fan activation activity”, where the musicians hosted a food drive at their concerts to aid with the limitations placed on SNAP benefits. She, along with the other Happy Fits members, clearly loved their community and connecting with the fanbase more personally. I know I mentioned it before, but Raina owned “Lovesick”, her voice one second as sweet as an angel and then as strong and hard-hitting as a hammer to the skull. If I could relive that performance, I would.
All of these breakdowns are to say that The Happy Fits provide everything you would want in a band and a show. They are both good people who genuinely care about others and talented artists who have carved a name for themselves in music history. There are only so many words I can use to describe seeing them live. During one portion, I sang along and moved with the beat, totally entranced by what laid in front of me, and then during another part, I felt so emotional that tears were streaming down my face. Looking back at the experience, I would list it as one of the best nights ever. If you have the opportunity to, go see them. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a fan for years or if you’ve only heard about them from this article; going to their concert is life-changing. It’s always the best feeling to discover your new favorite band, and that’s what happened that night. That, within itself, should show you the wonders of their sound.
(Side Note: We took pictures with them doing hook’em, and we have YET to get them back. I keep talking about it to people, and I feel like they are starting to not believe me… I swear, it’s real, guys. We’re going to get it at some point.)