Ash Schnoor 
At Irving Plaza, there’s always a buzzing of excitement while waiting for a show, but this night was something I’ve never felt before. The crowd was packed tightly with anticipation humming around the room. By the time the lights went down, it was clear that the crowd was here to have a fun time.
They opened the show up with “Cruel Power,” which immediately set the tone of the night with incredibly upbeat energy to define their sound for the night. From the first chorus, the crowd was immediately locked in. They were jumping, clapping, and shouting the lyrics like they had known them since they were born. The momentum as immediately carried into “Everything You Do” and “She Wants Me (To Be Loved),” two songs that turned the entire room into one big dance club. There’s something about the Fits’ music that feels so effortless, like they’re having just as much fun as the rest of the room, and it’s hard to not feed off of that energy.
As the set continues, songs like “Moving” and “Lovesick #1 (Misery)” lean into the band’s catchy hooks and emotional undertone, which makes their songs so easy to play on repeat. However, it truly was “Dirty Imbecile” that pushed the energy over the edge and made the show next level. The crowd exploded, screaming every lyric with the floor bouncing underneath them. As much as it was a performance, it felt more like a shared moment between everyone in the room.
Halfway through the set, “Do Your Worst” and “The Nerve” kept their momentum going, while “Cold Turkey” and “I Could Stare at You for Hours” gave the audience a chance to relax and sway along to the music, although I’m not sure how much relaxing was done in a room this full. The Happy Fits know exactly how to balance their setlist, giving just enough breathing room before throwing it right back into high energy.
That shift hit perfectly with “Shake Me,” which pulled the crowd right back into the upbeat motion, before a surprise I don’t think anyone expected: a cover of “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac. The entire room lit up realizing what song it was, a rare moment where it seemed like even the parents dragged there by the kids were excited to hear it, and it blended nostalgia wonderfully with the band’s signature style.
The final stretch of the set felt like one long fade out. “Hold Me Down,” and “So Alright, Cool, Whatever” kept the energy high, while “Black Hole” and “Mary” added the emotional depth that makes the shows feel like more than just live music. By the time the band reached “Do You See Me?” and “Heart of a Dancer,” it felt like the crowd was moving as one, just completely locked into the moment.
The Happy Fits closed out with “Too Late,” a perfect ending that left the room buzzing even after the last note faded out into silence.
The Happy Fits don’t stand out just because of their unique sound; they also create such a unique ambiance that I haven’t felt at any of the shows I’ve been to recently. Their shows feel communal, that every person in the room is part of something that’s much bigger, even if it’s just for 90 minutes. The nonstop energy, genuine connection, and a setlist packed with both fan favorites and surprises all wrap together to make this feel like an out of this world experience.
The Happy Fits aren’t just a band you listen to; it is an entire experience. And for me, my experience at Irving Plaza was unforgettable.
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