Dancing is mandatory. No egos allowed. Scream the lyrics. Leave covered in sweat. These were just a few of the tour rules Joey Valence & Brae (JVB) laid out before embarking on the Hyperyouth Tour.
From the moment the duo took the stage, the energy soared. Hands flew into the air, feet pounded the floor, and with every beat, the crowd inside Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom pulsed with motion.
Hailing from State College, Pennsylvania, JVB drew from their deep-rooted inspirations to craft a sound as vibrant as it was chaotic. Their kaleidoscopic mix blended the dance floor power of Lady Gaga and Porter Robinson with the gritty rasp of the Beastie Boys, topped off with flashes of 2010s dubstep straight from Skrillex’s playbook. This wide-ranging fusion kept the night in constant motion, eventually peaking with a relentless barrage of drum and bass, anchored by their Pendulum collaboration, “Napalm.”
“No One Here Wants to Dance”
The nonstop movement at this show felt like a breath of fresh air. It was as if JVB had carved out a breakthrough space in what feels like an ongoing epidemic of dead dance floors. Too often, crowds are split by pockets of people too hesitant or self-conscious to let loose. But this show, this entire tour, feels like the cure to that dead space energy once and for all.
When the duo launched into their hit tracks “STARTAFIGHT” and “Hooligan,” the venue hit its absolute peak. The punk-infused rhythms crashed across the floor, sparking a scene of beautiful chaos that connected stage and crowd in perfect sync.
Between their high-energy anthems, JVB showed range by weaving in lighter, more melodic cuts from their new album, all without losing an ounce of crowd engagement. The seamless balance between explosive highs and measured lows marked a triumph in set list flow.
Just when it seemed the night had ended, the duo returned for one final surge, closing with “The Baddest.” Their set channeled rage, community, nostalgia, and sheer joy, all wrapped in their unapologetically creative style. From their early shows on Cervantes’ Other Side stage to now commanding the main room, JVB have proven they’re not just riding a wave, they’re creating one.
Photos by Kyle Bocker
