If you were one of the 140,000 Swifties who attended The Eras Tour in Denver, chances are you caught indie band MUNA opening for the show.
Lovingly nicknamed “the greatest band in the world” by their fans, MUNA has rapidly been gaining popularity since touring with Taylor Swift this summer. “They’re a band I love so much,” said Swift when introducing MUNA to The Eras Tour. “They’re honestly all over every playlist of mine, and I’m so happy they joined us tonight because they’re fantastic.”
MUNA has also performed multiple tours of their own, including repeated appearances at Coachella and two separate world tours for their most recent album.
In concert, MUNA is lively and fun, energetically running and dancing all around the stage for hours. Known for creating safe spaces with relatively few concert conflicts, full of welcoming fans dancing, jumping, and singing at the top of their lungs. They perform at venues small and large. They also have a strong connection to their fanbase, made clear by their interactions with the audience during concerts–posting BeReals and dancing with fans while on stage.
MUNA’s lyrics perfectly capture the rollercoaster of human emotion. Their songwriting ranges from heartbreaking, poetic lyrics, to joyful and uplifting ones perfect for blasting in the car. Their indie pop sound is fun and danceable, with lots of retro synths and multiple guitars. They also have a great group dynamic. After celebrating ten years together, they have formed close bonds with each other and have even released a podcast, Gayotic by MUNA, wherein they interview each other and guest speakers for one hour every week.
The band consists of members Katie Gavin (vocals), Josette Maskin (lead guitarist), and Naomi McPherson (the band’s instrumentalist). The three met in college in California and bonded over their shared love of alternative pop music.
All members also identify as queer. Their first album, About U, introduced MUNA to the alternative music scene with entirely gender-neutral lyrics avoiding the use of he/him or she/her pronouns. This masterpiece of an indie album caught the attention of Taylor Swift, as well as other musical icons such as Harry Styles and Phoebe Bridgers. Since the release in 2017, MUNA has come into its own. The Los Angeles-based band is now signed by Saddest Factory Records, the record label of alternative music queen Phoebe Bridgers. Their most recent, self-titled album is celebratory of queer joy, with upbeat, catchy pop songs perfectly suited for dancing around your room or rollerblading down the street.
If you decide to give MUNA a listen, begin with their most popular songs: Silk Chiffon, The One That Got Away, and Home By Now. Once you inevitably fall in love with the music, give Stayaway and Winterbreak a try. You can listen to it on Spotify, Apple Music, or whatever streaming service you use! You will not be disappointed.
