The Backseat Lovers at The Atlantis

October 10, 2025

Photographed and Written by Caden Forrester @flicksby4ster

The night before the All Things Go Festival, Washington, D.C., was already humming with anticipation. But while most bands rested up for their festival sets, The Backseat Lovers decided to do the opposite. They packed into The Atlantis, a cozy, 450-person replica of the iconic 9:30 Club, for a night that felt more like a private celebration than a concert. What followed was a one-of-a-kind performance that turned the small venue into a full-blown experience.

Sleepers Bell

Opening the night was Sleepers Bell, they took the stage and delivered a set that was fitting of The Atlantis. With the venue only holding 450 people, their set was relaxed but precise. It was clear the band really knew what they were doing, and gave us a slow start to the night. You could feel the crowd lean forward with intrigue and really give Sleepers Bell the interest they were deserving of.

Backseat Lovers

The Backseat Lovers came out in the darkness, but with a comfortable energy, performing in the small venue. They opened with Silhouette, letting the song’s slow burn sound do the heavy lifting. In a venue this tight, every brush of a pick can be heard loud and clear

The momentum quickly hits with Pool house, Joshua Harmon sings with a slightly roughened edge that suits the room; it's the texture that makes the small show feel much more personal. Fans sing quietly in the verses and let go on the hook; you can tell the band was trusting the crowd to play their parts. Harmon sang like he was steering the night. The tiny rasp in his voice he saves for emphasis truly hit in this small a venue, it felt like you could hear him beyond the microphone. He’s a dynamic guitarist too, not the kind that runs the scales, but one who knows his instrument and plays with intention.

The newer songs, “Invisible,” “Evergreen,” and “This is All I’ve Got,” drew loud cheers despite being unreleased. Fans may not have known every word, but they listened with a rare kind of focus, treating each line like something to be memorized later. “Evergreen,” in particular, showed a fresh side of the band, tighter and more confident. When “Heavy” came next, its intensity jolted the crowd back into motion, the chorus erupting into a full sing-along.

Part of what made this show so captivating was how each band member shone in their own lane. As mentioned previously, Harmon led with vulnerability and control; his vocals felt soft, and at other times, he led with conviction. Jonas Swanson’s lead guitar tone was crisp; it added depth and atmosphere without being overpowering. KJ Ward’s bass was the glue that brought everything together; it was warm and melodic, guiding with ease. And Juice Welch on drums was the band’s pulse, switching from powerful fills to delicate brushwork with precision.

When they reached “Kilby Girl,” the entire venue erupted. Harmon barely had to sing; the audience shouted every lyric back, their voices bounding off the ceiling. If you were on the floor, you could literally feel the floor bow as the crowd was jumping. Harmon had a grin on his face that said it all. It didn’t matter that they’d play for thousands the next day at Merriweather; this was the show they’d remember.

The set moved fluidly right into “Maple Syrup,” followed by an interlude jam that blended into a snippet of “Slowing Down.” It felt improvised and gave Welch room to drive the tempo. Then came “Close Your Eyes,” performed acoustically, a serene moment where every conversation in the room fell silent. Finally, “Sinking Ship” capped the night — a slow, aching farewell that rose into one last explosion of sound. Harmon thanked the crowd, clearly humbled, and for a moment, the band just stood there, soaking it all in. It was easy to tell this wasn’t just another show — it was a memory in real time.

The Backseat Lovers could’ve easily filled a theatre or gotten some rest for the festival the next day. Instead, they gave 450 people a show that felt infinite. The intimacy of The Atlantis made every lyric, every drum hit, and every cheer feel magnified. In a 450 cap space, you can’t hide behind production. You have to trust the songs, your bandmates, and the crowd. The Backseat Lovers did. They made the quiet parts quiet and the loud parts louder, not by turning knobs, but by bringing the crowd into the dynamic with the. The new songs felt like a window cracked into the future, while their older favorites sounded even better when brought to the stage