Melt’s electrifying return to Washington, D.C. Thursday night at the legendary 9:30 Club proved exactly why the NYC-born indie band graduated from college shows to cement itself as a staple act on the D.C. live music circuit.
Known for their infectious blend of soulful rock and contemporary pop, Melt put on a show that was as engaging as it was musically impressive, weaving in old favorites with tracks from their debut album, If There’s a Heaven. The band has been busy writing, recording, and performing since it's formation in 2017, making this their third 9:30 show in three years.
Opening the evening was local artist Shelby Morgan, who set an upbeat tone with her effervescent stage presence and songs that captured the highs and lows of romance. True to her tagline, “unapologetically pop for the hopeless romantic,” Morgan’s set was a ode to love’s complexities, complete with soaring vocals and earworm choruses.
Next up, rising independent pop artist Maris took the stage, which felt like a headlining show by itself (you can read about it here).
Melt hit the stage to a wave of cheers, opening with the groove-laden “Fake Romantic” and immediately showcasing the tight musical chemistry they’ve honed since their 2017 beginnings. Each song was a testament to their evolution—the set moved effortlessly from upbeat tracks like “Waves” to the introspective but danceable “West Side Highway,” greeted by enthusiastic recognition from the crowd. The band’s energy was contagious, with each member bringing their own vibrant flair to the performance.
Midway through the set, the crowd roared as Maris returned to the stage for a duet with Melt’s frontwoman Veronica Stewart-Frommer on their lively cover of Madonna’s “Like A Prayer.” The two singers’ chemistry was electric, their voices weaving together seamlessly as they put their own soulful twist on the classic hit. The performance hit its peak when Veronica and Maris shared a playful kiss, a moment that’s become a beloved staple whenever the duo teams up.
The show took a sentimental turn when Stewart-Frommer shared an endearing story about their album cover—the cover star was guitarist Marlo Shankweiler’s mom, Tara, who also happened to be a special guest in the audience (read the album's full story here).
The set wrapped up with “Heaven” and their breakout hit “Sour Candy,” which had the crowd singing along. For the encore, they played a cover of Charli XCX’s “Sympathy is a Knife” before closing with the rising-star track from their debut album, “Plant the Garden.”