The Square in Portland, OR — August 6, 2026

MUNA are back and continue to outdo themselves. Fresh off the release of their fourth album, Dancing On The Wall and a main stage slot at Lollapalooza, the pop trio treated downtown Portland to one of few shows scheduled before the start of their upcoming fall tour. Undeniably, the odds were stacked against them: the last month has seen record-breaking wildfires raging across central Oregon and peak-summer heat waves. The day before the show, Portland was experiencing the highest AQI globally and some of the hottest temperatures of the year so far. Yet just hours before the show, the smoke serendipitously lifted, the air cooled, and MUNA charged the outdoor downtown stage ready to give the city their all. 

Iconically, the band opened with their recent song “It Gets So Hot,” a fitting catharsis for the anticipation that had been swelling under the sun for several days prior. Fans lost no time getting straight to dancing, heating back up as the sun went down over the cityscape. As the setlist went through  several songs from the new album, the energy of the crowd continued to unfurl into a relaxed and ecstatic wave of movement. They twirled together under the misters, swayed and jumped around in the pit, fully losing themselves to the music and moment. Lead vocalist, Katie Gavin commented on the essence herself, speaking to the crowd about how they are the conductors of the energy that makes for a beautifully rollicking show. The bandmates were bright and full of the buzzing, playfully bantering and smiling ear to ear. 

MUNA’s studio recording record has always been excellent, featuring textured, dynamic production and empowered vocals. However, upon seeing them live, it becomes incredibly clear that their work is born to be performed. The star of the show was the balance of the stage performance: there were enough theatrics and stage production to encapsulate the audience in an open-air space, yet not so much that you forget that it’s all about the music, the personalities behind it, and the community that brings it all together. MUNA is a pop band full of rockers with a thesis statement they continue to prove through performance: joy and connection will prevail regardless of what lies ahead. 

Words & Photography: Heather Zalabak