The Maine Review
Review by Nicolette Cunningham
Images courtesy of Salma Bustos
The Novo | Los Angeles, CA
March 28th, 2026
Image by Salma Bustos
The first time I saw The Maine perform live was in the summer of 2014 at Warped Tour. The thrill of seeing one of your favorite bands live? Unmatched.
A few years ago, I introduced my mom to The Maine right in the middle of fan favorite Lovely Little Lonely releasing, so the hype was real, and she instantly became a number one fan. Taking her to her first The Maine show quickly became bucket list material.
And so, it was March 28th, 2026. The Novo (iconic). Los Angeles. “I Love You But I Chose The Maine” tour. Here we go.
The venue was close to sold out, and seeing the band’s growth from 500 capacity rooms to nearly filling The Novo felt like a full circle moment. They wasted no time, opening with “thoughts i have while lying in bed,” immediately pulling the crowd to its feet. The energy was instant with fans singing along word for word, including my mom, who was dancing her heart away beside me.
Image by Salma Bustos
The setlist blended older fan favorites with newer material, including “Die To Fall,” “Palms,” and “Quiet Part Loud” from their forthcoming tenth studio album Joy Next Door. During “Quiet Part Loud,” John continued his tradition of inviting a fan on stage, and for this show, Remy was selected. Watching him dance on stage alongside the band added a genuinely heartfelt moment that captured the spirit of the night.
The Maine held nothing back, bringing back “Kennedy Curse” from Forever Halloween and mixing in newer tracks like “Don’t Light the Match” from dyed (2008 to 2023). The pacing of the set kept the momentum high, moving seamlessly between eras while never losing the crowd’s attention. Whether it was the 8123 anthem “We All Roll Along” or longtime favorite “My Heroine,” each song felt intentional and electrifying.
A standout moment came when Charlotte Sands joined the band for “Loved You a Little,” adding another layer of energy to an already iconic performance. Later, one of the most memorable highlights of the night came when opener Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines returned to the stage for “Take Me Dancing,” a Pioneer B side. The joy on stage was infectious, and the crowd responded with cheers and dancing as John played a stellar harmonica solo.
More than anything, the night was a reminder of what makes The Maine so special. There is something magical about them. How they transform throughout each phase and still remain true to their artistry. How each rebirth exactly what you need when you need it.
At the end of the show, my mom turned to me, smiling, and said, “I love them.” Me too, Mom. Me too.
With Joy Next Door set to release on April 10th, 2026, The Maine continues to prove that they are not just maintaining their momentum, but building on it.