Highlights: lovelytheband, Flora Cash & Jagwar Twin @ Irving Plaza

“It feels like a Friday even though it’s only Monday… You guys really packed this place!” said lovelytheband lead singer Mitchy Collins on May 6th at Irving Plaza. The Los-Angeles-based trio have been touring for the last two years nearly non-stop, across the US and Europe over that span, and begun their latest US leg in March.

For lead Mitchy Collins, a New Jersey native, the show signified a monumental moment. “I love you all so fucking much…I am so excited. I’m gonna cry. I remember freaking out standing in line when I was 15 to see Fall Out Boy and Midtown at this venue. I’ve seen a million shows here since, but this is the first time I’m getting to play one, and you guys sold it out. I love you New York! Tonight is going to be a MOVIE!”

This time around, the band came to NYC sporting music from their latest album, finding it hard to smile, to play for their fans. With songs like “these are my friends,” “maybe, i’m afraid,”, their hit single “broken,” and even a new single with Dillon Francis, “Change Your Mind,” the band played a completely fresh set in front of a sold-out crowd. They even snuck in their own cover of The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” for good measure.

Prior to lovely‘s set, indie-alternative duo Flora Cash opened, along with new pop-rock outfit Jagwar Twin, headed by former solo pop singer Roy English.

Flora Cash, made up of married couple Cole Randall and Shpresa Lleshaj, played an intimate set that showcased their chemistry on stage, as they got up-close-and-personal with each other, not shy to make contact as they sang their unique brand of music in a set that included their most well-known single, “You’re Somebody Else.”

To open the night, Jagwar Twin surprised early fans with an energetic set that felt more like a headlining set than a half-hour-long opening one. Pop veteran Roy English leads the four-piece band, and his experience showed as he flailed all over the stage belting songs off of the project’s debut EP, Subject To Flooding. From their look, to the energy and the band’s natural chemistry, Jagwar Twin’s eye-opening half hour is one that’s worth showing up early and grabbing a beer to see live.