The Novo in Los Angeles, CA — March 28, 2026

It’s been almost 10 years since I started listening to The Maine and every time I go to their show, they never disappoint! This is the third night of the “I Love You But I Choose The Maine” tour and it hit The Novo with the force of almost two decades worth of nostalgia and modern pop-rock precision. The night was a relentless marathon of talent, kicking off with Franklin Jonas and the Byzantine, whose eclectic energy set a high bar, followed by Grayscale and Nightly, both of whom delivered polished, high-octane sets that had the floor shaking before the headliners even touched the stage. When The Maine finally emerged, they proved once again why they are the gold standard of independent rock. Their set was a masterclass in crowd connection, blending seamless transitions with a setlist that felt like a love letter to their dedicated fanbase. As well as no shortage of crowd surfers during the acoustic sets! The atmosphere inside The Novo was electric, defined by sharp lighting with colors reminiscent of their new album aesthetic coming out on April 11th, Joy Next Door and the kind of fan base that reminds you why this band has remained a cornerstone of the scene for nearly twenty years.

Words & Photography: Samantha Wong