Moody Joody Turned The Wiltern Into Their Shimmering Synth-Pop Dream World
- Mikaila Storrs
- Mar 1
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 1
Moody Joody—made up of powerhouse vocalists Kayla Hall and Kaitie Forbes, along with producer Andrew Pacheco—set The Wiltern ablaze on Friday night with their electrifying synth-pop anthems. Blending upbeat tunes with existential lyrics, they’ve mastered our favorite genre of music: the sad dance. Currently opening for A R I Z O N A on the Victory Lap Tour, Moody Joody fully embraced the emotional rollercoaster of womanhood, delivering a high-energy set that kept the crowd hooked from beginning to end. If you weren't already a fan of Moody Joody before the show, you definitely are now.
As the lights dimmed and the crowd's excitement surged, Moody Joody emerged from the shadows like a burst of neon light. The audience was immediately swept into their dreamy, kaleidoscopic universe—a world built on shimmering synths and raw emotion. They kicked things off with “Cuts Deep,” a track that set the tone with its beautiful melodies and brutally honest lyrics.
The mood shifted as they cranked up the intensity with their debut track “The Heat,” seamlessly keeping the energy high as they continued on to “Dream Girl,” the title track from their latest EP, where Kayla and Kaitie pulled out their synchronized dance moves that mirrored the carefree vibe of the song—an anthem of self-empowerment, embracing imperfections, and letting go of the need to be flawless.
Making their LA debut, Moody Joody paused for a moment to soak in the milestone before diving into “Lost In a Midnight.” “Not to be too cheesy,” Kaitie quipped, “but this song is about following your dreams.” For me, this moment was especially powerful—a reminder that with hard work and dedication, even the wildest dreams can come true.
As the show continued, Kayla shared a deeply personal moment with the crowd, revealing that it would have been her anniversary with her ex. She poured her heart into “Lockeland,” a song about the ache of longing for a past love, and the room was filled with an unmistakable sense of nostalgia. The lyrics, dripping with longing, wrapped around the audience like a bittersweet embrace. It was a moment of pure vulnerability, a reminder of the unspoken power of live music.
The band cranked up the energy with “Talk Me Down,” a fiery new track they jokingly dubbed “a little bit of female rage.” This was Moody Joody at their finest—smoothly transitioning from heart-wrenching nostalgia to a bold, unapologetic anthem that felt like giving a metaphorical middle finger to anyone who's ever wronged you. If this is just a taste of what’s coming (maybe even on a debut album), we’re all in. The song was even more electrifying live than the studio version, with high-energy dance moves and playful interactions that had the crowd buzzing.
The mood softened with “Velvet Connection,” a smooth groove that had the band swaying effortlessly to the beat, their voices blending as they sang about the complexities and thrills of love, capturing the delicate dance between connection and uncertainty. But the emotional ride didn’t stop there—next up was “El Camino High,” an upbeat track that captures the wild, unpredictable nature of a complicated relationship.
Although their set had to come to an end, they went out with a bang, finishing with “Ground Control,” a personal favorite and a powerful anthem about burnout and the relentless pressures to keep up. As the final notes reverberated through the venue, it was clear—this band is bound for greatness. With their magnetic energy, infectious hooks, and sparkling outfits, Moody Joody is on a fast track to the top.
Kaitie, Kayla, and Andrew still have a few more shows left on their tour with A R I Z O N A, and there are still some tickets available if you want to experience the magic for yourself.
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