The room was already buzzing well before Of Monsters and Men took the stage. Fans packed House of Blues Orlando from wall to wall, ready for the band to take the stage. It was clear that everyone had been waiting for this moment.
The night started with August Ponthier, who immediately charmed the crowd with their powerful voice and easygoing stage presence. I wasn’t expecting to become so invested in an opening set, but Ponthier made the room feel surprisingly intimate. Between songs, they shared stories about growing up in Texas and how those experiences have influenced their music. A lot of those memories come through on their debut album, Everywhere Isn’t Texas.
I really enjoyed how much Ponthier talked to the audience throughout their set. Instead of just moving from one song to the next, they gave everyone a little more context about where their songs came from and what growing up in Texas meant to them. The crowd stayed quiet and listened to the stories before immediately cheering before the start of the next song. It felt like everyone in the room was genuinely interested in getting to know them.
By the time Ponthier finished their set, the energy in the room had completely changed. The anticipation kept building as the lights went down, and when the first notes finally started, the entire room erupted.
August Ponthier, House of Blues Orlando, September 28th 2026, by Francesca Barra
Of Monsters and Men opened their set with “Television Love,” off their 2025 album All Is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade. This is the band’s first album in six years, but the set never felt like it was only focused on the new record. There was a healthy mix of newer songs and fan favorites, keeping fans singing along throughout the whole show.
The energy stayed high throughout the set, especially during the songs that had fans screaming every word back to the band. The crowd was constantly moving, with people dancing, clapping, and shouting along. There was something really special about seeing the atmosphere of the room shift between the quieter, more emotional songs and the bigger ones that had everyone singing at the top of their lungs. The band also seemed genuinely happy to be back on stage, which made the whole show feel even more special.
By the end of the night, the crowd was still completely enthralled. It was awesome to see how many people had clearly grown up with Of Monsters and Men’s music and were now getting to experience those songs live again. The show felt nostalgic without being stuck in the past, and after six years away, it was obvious that fans were more than ready to have them back.
Of Monsters and Men, House of Blues Orlando, September 28th 2026, by Francesca Barra
Based out of Iceland, Of Monsters and Men have been making music together since 2010 and have become internationally known for songs like “Little Talks.” Since then, the band has released four albums together and built a pretty dedicated fanbase around their mix of indie rock, folk, and big, emotional songs. The “Mouse Parade Tour” will continue to make stops in the southern United States before heading on a short run in South America.
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