Though most visibly known for starring as Steve Harrington in one of the most gigantic TV shows of the last decade, Stranger Things, actor and multifaceted artist Joe Kerry, better known musically as his artist moniker Djo, has been writing songs since well before his acting career took off. Originally from Massachusetts, Kerry moved to Chicago for college, and it was there that he formed garage and psych-rock outfit Post Animal with several friends. Initially a drummer, and later a vocalist and guitarist, Kerry’s commitments to Stranger Things, which he landed not long after joining the band, took a toll on his ability to tour, and eventually led him to leave Post Animal in 2017 (though he rejoined last year, and contributed to their latest album, IRON).
While filming in Atlanta, Keery began writing and recording music largely on his own, developing a melody-rich psych-pop and rock sound which would become his debut album as Djo, 2019’s Twenty Twenty. Met with early praise for the project, Joe expanded his sound with sophomore LP Decide, which was recorded in Chicago and draws more from synth-pop and retro psychedelia. Though released in 2022, it was really last year that Kerry’s second album fully took off, thanks to the viral (and TikTok-fueled) success of single “End of Beginning,” leading to even more mainstream recognition, bigger shows, and major festival appearances, and leaving no doubt that this is no vanity project (something those who’ve been paying attention since the Post Animal days already knew).
Now wrapped with his decade-long commitment to Stranger Things (the final episodes began airing this fall), though still appearing in other great roles, like the latest season of Fargo, Kerry has more time than ever to focus on Djo, and 2025 has been his busiest year yet as a musician. In the spring, he released a great new album, The Crux, which retains the synth and retro psych-pop influences, but adds a bit more indie rock and pop rock bite, and was recorded in his new home city of New York. And throughout the year, Djo has been touring extensively for the first time, the latest leg of which will bring him to Nashville for his debut in Music City tonight, Oct. 2 to headline The Pinnacle! In support are his old friends and bandmates Post Animal (who, we understand, Joe will join for a few songs, but won’t play the entire set with), and though tickets are largely sold out, you can still snag ’em on resale sites (or keep an eye out for any last minute ticket drops here).
Djo and Post Animal perform tonight, Oct. 2 at The Pinnacle. The show is all ages, begins at 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.), and tickets are available here.