By Andre Paras
Managing Editor
Despite the lowering temperatures at the dawn of fall and the breeze of an oncoming nor’easter, it still “gets so hot” in the pit for MUNA.
Dark-pop band MUNA touched down at the Skyline Stage at Highmark Mann for a night of stadium-ready singalong anthems in Philadelphia on Sept. 25. The three-piece band is on the first leg of their “It Gets So Hot” tour, celebrating their latest studio LP, “Dancing on the Wall,” a catchy synthpop gem of 2026.
This specific tour date saw MUNA back in full force with the main three band members on tour. Naomi McPherson, who plays guitar, synthesizer, sings and produces for the band, missed the first few shows of the tour to take care of their mother, as shared in a recent MUNA Instagram post.
The new tour for the band sees them playing mid-to-large size indoor and outdoor amphitheater venues, as well as major festivals like All Things Go in Washington D.C. The quirky, ‘80s-inspired singer-songwriter hemlocke springs is supporting.
Supporting act hemlocke springs opens up the show, taking the stage at Skyline Stage at Highmark Mann in Philadelphia. (Photo by Andre Paras / Managing Editor)
The show started with hemlocke springs, whose quirky aesthetics, strong vocal performances and synthpop sound fit right in with this new side of the queer indie-pop scene.
Isimeme “Naomi” Udu, or hemlocke springs, sports a sword during her performance. (Photo by Andre Paras / Managing Editor)
The singer played hits like “girlfriend,” but heavily featured tracks off her 2026 album “the apple tree under the sea” for her set, all while rocking a vibrant outfit and visuals behind her.
Springs and her band most certainly set the tone for the fun and carefree feeling the night would have, and it was with this energy that MUNA hit the stage.
Right off the bat, the tour’s namesake track “It Gets So Hot” kicks in over the loudspeakers. This opening moment gave the band an epic, cinematic intro, as they dramatically walk on stage to the upbeat music as heavily backlit silhouettes.
MUNA captivates the audience entering with black and white silhouette styled lighting. (Photo by Andre Paras / Managing Editor)
Instantly the band’s energy possesses a stereotypical boy band flair. All donning black leather-based outfits, MUNA has major chemistry together, receiving what feels like never ending love from fans and overall have a polished sound they deliver each night.
The band brings a whole lot of refreshing new takes to the table, both on and off stage. Sonically, they bring together the pop sound with the sensuality of R&B, mixed with the occasional funk rhythms but overall dominated by synthpop.
The first half of the set was predominantly tracks from their new album “Dancing on The Wall,” to which they played 10 of the 13 songs throughout the night. It’s a non-stop singalong to themes MUNA write about best, whether it be steamy catchy love songs or complicated relationship ballads.
The band definitely makes bold statements on the eighth song on the set, “Big Stick.” The song explores ideas of the inauthentic influencer economy on verse one, flaws of wealth accumulation and policing on verse two and a bridge full of American imperialist critique and commentary on the current Middle Eastern conflict.
“We give weapons to dictators in apartheid states,” lead singer Katie Gavin sings on the track. “We give kids in Palestine PTSD, but we’ll never f***in’ ever give them something to eat.”
Fans shine flashlights toward the stage during MUNA’s first set finale track “Buzzkiller.” (Photo by Andre Paras / Managing Editor)
The band then deconstructed to an acoustic set, giving the audience an intimate moment and change of pace from all the exciting tracks. The main three MUNA members sat to perform alongside fellow musical artist Lou Roy, who filled in for McPherson during their earlier absence.
Together, they played long-time fan favorite “Taken,” and after that giving Roy center stage to show off some new material, a new, unreleased song titled “Try.” The track glistens with jangly chords and a high-ranging vocal performance that MUNA boasted she was capable of.
The band returned to their full sound with “What I Want,” back-to-back with hits like “Number One Fan” and “Solid.”
Riding off good momentum comes the track “Eastside Girls” to close out the main setlist, filling the screens to the brim with synced-up visuals and lyrics. (Photo by Andre Paras / Managing Editor)
The encore was a whopping five songs, including a mashup of older material, including “Pink Light,” “So Special,” “Navy Blue,” “Good News (Ya-Ya Song),” “Everything,” “Crying on the Bathroom Floor” and finally “It’s Gonna Be Okay, Baby.”
Fittingly, the 22 song set ends with two essentials: an anthem of peace, love and equality on “I Know a Place,” and “Silk Chiffon,” a song all about the beauty and bliss of queer love notably featuring Phoebe Bridgers.
The band welcomed back McPherson’s solo vocals on the second verse originally sung by Bridgers. It’s a moment of carefree fun and unity, and serves a reminder as to the importance of giving and experiencing love and joy amidst a divided society.
MUNA continues their tour on Oct. 1 at Roadrunner in Boston, with tickets still available for sale.
