The Midnight formed as a singer and a producer, mixing neon synths with clear, heartfelt pop melodies.

From laptop nostalgia to big-room band

In recent years they shifted from a studio duo to a fuller live band, adding guitar, bass, and a featured sax to push a more rock-ready feel.

Likely moments and who shows up

That move, heard on Monsters and Heroes, keeps the bittersweet glow of Endless Summer and Kids while giving the choruses more lift. Likely songs include Sunset, The Comeback Kid, Days of Thunder, and Change Your Heart or Die, with at least one stretched-out sax break. The crowd skews mixed in age, from synth-curious teens to long-time indie pop fans, with pastel windbreakers, film cameras, and soft singalongs. Trivia: the project began after a 2012 songwriting workshop, and their producer has credits in film trailer work that shaped their cinematic drums. You may also catch a tour quirk where an 8-bit-style intro teases a chorus. Note: these setlist picks and staging guesses are based on past shows and could change night to night.

The Midnight crowd, from threads to chants

The scene tilts colorful but relaxed, with satin jackets, retro runners, and tees that reference VHS art more than brands.

Neon, but make it lived-in

Many fans bring disposable cameras or film bodies, and you will hear people hum the sax lines between songs.

Shared nostalgia, modern manners

Singalong peaks arrive on the oh-oh hooks in The Comeback Kid and during the soaring chorus of Days of Thunder. Claps tend to fall on twos and fours, keeping the groove steady rather than frantic. Merch tables move sun-logo shirts, cassettes, and a few deep-cut designs that nod to Kids and Endless Summer. The vibe in the room is courteous and present, more about sharing a mood than pushing to the rail. After the show, small groups often compare favorite synth sounds and trade notes from different cities.

The Midnight onstage: sound first, lights second

Live, The Midnight centers steady, present vocals over interlocking synth arpeggios and a snappy drum pulse.

Drums hit, synths glow

The drummer favors punchy, gated tones that nod to 80s records while keeping the kick tight and dry.

Small shifts, big lift

Guitar adds shimmer on verses and crunch on choruses, and the sax steps in like a second singer when space opens. They often slow a few songs a notch compared to the record so the choruses land wider and the crowd can sing. A subtle trick they use is dropping the first downbeat after a build, which makes the chorus feel like it jumps forward. Expect small arrangement flips, like an extra tag on Lost Boy or a longer outro on Brooklyn, so riffs can breathe. Visuals favor warm gradients and retro grids that support the music instead of fighting it. The result is a set shaped by producers but played with a band's sense of push and release.

The Midnight fans also vibe with these

Fans of M83 will connect with the same mix of widescreen synths and tender vocals.

Kindred neon hearts

If you like CHVRCHES, the bright hooks and driving pads land in a similar zone, though this band leans warmer and more nostalgic.

Where styles overlap

Tycho fans tend to enjoy the clean textures and patient builds, even if this show sings more and grooves harder. For a true synthwave cousin, GUNSHIP shares cinematic moods and 80s spine, with heavier edges. Listeners who split time between pop and retro sounds should find comfort across these artists. All of them prize melody and atmosphere, not just volume. That overlap makes for crowds that show up to feel the glow as much as to dance.