Djo and Post Animal Take Another Bite in Asheville
Joe Keery—known on stage as Djo—kicked off the ‘Another Bite’ Tour after releasing ‘The Crux’ Deluxe. This tour takes him back to his musical roots with Post Animal, the Chicago-based Psych-Rock band, he was a part of from 2015-2017. He stepped away from the band in 2017 to focus on his breakout role in Stranger Things, and soon after began releasing music under the moniker Djo (pronounced Joe). The Another Bite Tour is the second Djo tour that features Post Animal as the opener, and luckily, Asheville found itself as one of the stops.
POST ANIMAL
Post Animal kicked off the night with the songs “Caving In” and “Gelatin Mode” which set the vibe for a high-energy and immersive set. Fans at the barricade were headbanging to “Setting Sun,” and one held up a sign that read, “Who up posting they animal?” which was easily the best sign of the night. They played songs from their latest release, Iron, including the songs “Pie in the Sky,” and “Dorien Kregg.” One of the highlights of their set was closing with the banger, “Dirtpicker,” from their second album When I Think of You in a Castle. It left the audience buzzing, perfectly setting the stage for Djo’s set.
DJO
Djo opened the set with a literal wake-up call. They performed their song “Awake,” which is a haunting, Nirvana-esque track from their latest release, The Crux Deluxe. This is by far the most grunge song in their discography, so opening with it was a statement. They then transitioned into the song “Uglyfisherman,” which is a psychedelic, groovy instrumental track from their album Decide—the complete antithesis of the first song. This switch revealed the journey the audience was about to embark on. One highlight was seeing several members of Post Animal return to the stage to play in Djo’s backing band. It was amazing to see a group of best friends get to collaborate on music they have put their hearts and soul into.
During the performance of “Basic Being Basic,” Keery forgot the lyrics but laughed it off and turned to the crowd for help, creating a fun and memorable moment with the audience. The setlist pulled from across Djo’s entire catalog. The band moved effortlessly through tracks like “Gloom,” “Charlie’s Garden” and “Roddy,” each bringing its own unique flavor to the night. The songs “Fly,” and “Potion,” offered a stripped-back, acoustic moment in the set, offering a beautiful contrast to the high-energy tracks.
The show was special for a number of reasons, but one memorable moment came when Joe Keery announced to the crowd, “This is our first rain show!” Despite the weather, fans packed into the venue and waited in the pouring rain—something Keery made sure to thank them for. He also promised to fans, “I’ll keep making music if you keep listening to it.”
Later in the set came one of the most captivating performances of the night: “Egg.” The track is a whirlwind, shifting tone and tempos like a rollercoaster, and the crowd matched that energy beat for beat. The bridge, in particular, was a standout moment—possibly the loudest moment of the entire night—as the crowd belted it out in unison.
The final stretch of the main set started with Djo’s biggest hit, “End of Beginning.” The fans were almost louder than the band itself. It was followed by “Back On You,” a song Keery wrote about his family and close friends—a fitting closer to a tour rooted in longtime friendships. With members of Post Animal in Djo’s band and sharing the stage throughout the night, the moment felt like coming full-circle.
After a brief break, the band returned for a two-song encore. They kicked things off with fan favorite “Chateau (Feel Alright).” To close out the night, Post Animal joined Djo on stage one last time for “Flash Mountain.” The song’s fast, fuzzy energy—reminiscent of King Gizzard—had the crowd jumping, headbanging, and moving nonstop. A few fans were even joking about starting a pit. The show closed with chaotic energy, recalling the intensity of the opening song “Awake.”
Overall, with a thoughtfully curated setlist and strong onstage chemistry, Djo and Post Animal delivered an unforgettable night in Asheville. To catch Djo and Post Animal on the Another Bite Tour, check out the full schedule and ticket info here. Don’t miss your chance to experience this tour live!
For upcoming tour dates and more information, visit Djo’s website and Post Animal’s website.
Coverage by Drayton Peterson // Instagram: @draytonsphotos
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