The Joy Formidable - Whirring (Live on KEXP)

The Joy Formidable perform "Whirring" live from Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop during KEXP's broadcast at SXSW. Recorded 3/17/2011
host: Cheryl Waters
engineer: Kevin Suggs
Cameras: Jim Beckmann, Shelly Corbett, Scott Holpainen and Christopher Meister
editing: Scott Holpainen

[@evilution7]

Still watching this regularly in 2024.

[@larsq6128]

Me too

[@JC1979-f7s]

Me too 👍

[@seamusmcshizweak]

yup.. still got goosebumps from this

[@jeramieluing1343]

Such an amazing performance!

[@kexp]

Thanks for the kind words. We do it on a shoestring budget. This one was shot on 4 DSLR cameras. All of our videos are done with very little money, very small staffing but lots and lots of passion!

[@LahDinky]

To see how far you all have come now! Great stuff keep it up KEXP :)

[@barbara-holley]

The video work is amazing, glad to see you guys never lost the passion!

[@kenyankee4118]

Great gig. The only thing I ALWAYS hate about concert and studio shoots is the flipping of the camera angle every second. I'd rather just watch the band from one camera instead of inducing an epileptic seizure. Everyone does that flipping stuff. I want to watch the band not all that camera flips.

[@Sogonrei]

This band rocks! The guitar playing here with Rhydian and then when Ritzy threw down serious shred like her fingers were on fire blew me away....and Matt killing the drums!

[@jasonwu9287]

You guys did great! This video still rocks 9 years later.

[@Alxx2]

Guess you guy aren't ready for that, but your kids are going to love it.

[@pridearts3169]

This comment is everything.

[@carlospetry2316]

Sir... this comment. Man of culture!

[@teddyholiday8038]

Best comment I’ve read in years. Literally.

[@mrbobawesome]

Chuck! It's your cousin Ritzy.

[@BarronVonSchnoot]

I can’t believe how funny this comment is. It should be written in the comments section of every musical performance on KZbin!

[@acidperex]

"Only 3 people making all that magnificent sound"

[@massimoviggiani3378]

Amplifiers...

[@xJakeJeromex]

6 years later and this is still my favorite 9 minutes on youtube

[@skuzzyj]

Jake Jerome 6.5 years on, surely you've seen them live now?

[@alanroeder3476]

Jake Jerome metoo

[@dionfebrian2940]

Nope. It's mine now

[@vlad1mir18]

Mine as well

[@Dave-kg8kd]

Beautiful electronic mayhem and I LOVE IT !

[@brewberry3894]

This is one of those bands you listen to until your dying day.

[@Logistics00]

Hello from the US! I'm thankful to have discovered this song on the video game Hi-Fi Rush. The amount of dopamine I felt when it played was absolutely euphoric. Thank you for the awesome tunes The Joy Formidable! The song is absolutely formidable in the game.

[@mozart_rosicky23]

It's 2021 and this still give me the chills

[@ZA-mb5di]

I only discovered it in 2021 but same

[@CHEMICALxxWARFARE]

2022 represent

[@ainmeile]

2022 checking in. This still gets regular play in my car.

[@SmallBlogV8]

YT pushed me this just the other day [Dec '22]. First time I'd heard this band. Instantly a fan.

[@Kango234]

I'm here to tell you because of a game called Hi-Fi Rush, it's giving chills to an entire new generation.

[@SusanJohnsonsuzvj]

That song woke me the fuck up! I hadn't heard this in ages. I used to love this song. I guess I've been asleep for the past decade!

[@sik6589]

Imagine watching this and it not setting your nerve endings on fire

[@faunaflage]

Man, it's a great look, but it's gotta be tough to tour with all those bikes...

[@TeenieTinyTina]

Years later and this is still one of the best live videos ever. The bassist adding his harmonies at the end of the chorus is still so good

[@Treizez34]

So glad to see that this type of music still exists in the world

[@ndr523]

Ten years ago it did

[@robbolt3223]

Fantastic, my fave band of the last decade or so.

[@jamiebergamasco5140]

I didn’t think the video version could be topped but here we are.

[@klausknie9956]

Zwei mal Live erlebt ...Ich liebe diese Band

[@savo456]

How the f*** do just three people make a sound so thick and loud and heavy and immense!? Bloody love TJF

[@alainpetersen6611]

These guys taught me that a life can be made from doing what you love believe in the deepness of your soul and life's Will shall wilt with as it may

[@xlrious1]

i think this band has the best vibe between each other on stage out of any band i've ever seen.

[@irotinmyskin]

Did you ever see ATDI at their peak? You cannot top that

[@bigjonnydc]

My five year old daughter was dancing her ass off to this song in the kitchen this morning. How cool is that? Man, I boogied too! Great band. And, as one comment below noted, she does put a lot of male frontmen to shame. She's got it.

[@BigRossD]

Was there live. The one time I saw them. Hell of a show.

[@paulexits]

12 years ago and just discovered it. Spectacular

[@avictorbell2835]

Just rediscovered this absoloute gem, I'd forgotten how wild these 3 are live, still touring in 2023 Time to dig the cd's out again I think

[@nsxpetes]

It’s 2024 and this song gives me the tingles

[@frankfrank1364]

End of the decade and still the best 9 minutes.

[@cpkelley]

I seriously can't believe this band. Every live performance of this song on youtube completely destroys. UNBELIEVABLE!!

[@faststratjo2006]

I heard the studio version on a Spotify playlist, which led me to checkout this video. This inspires, hope we can back to shows like this someday.

[@isaacrichmond7505]

yeah...maybe some day :/

[@spilledinfinity8652]

Most certainly fae people from the preaternatural periphery. Thank you for visiting. Your songs shall enchant me forever more.

[@rayfoster4339]

stunned and wanting more

[@391083]

it must be spring... why does this song bring me to tears?

[@nickynoo86]

Amazing! They deserved a better crowd reaction than a polite clap at the end

[@JoeyVatavuk]

saw them open for Foo Fighters in DC in 2011. did a killer job and i remember this song giving me chills. forgot all about it until 12 years later.

[@lesterbonnett9971]

I was at that show. Luck enough to be in a suite. We weren't really paying much attention to them. Until this song. Honestly, the whole suite stopped dead in their tracks, stopped talking and watched. Mouth agape, Unreal.

[@a.statch4199]

That rockout brings a tear to my eyes every single time. Go Wales! :D

[@sabertoothrobot]

Holy crap. That was some beyond-Sonic-Youth beautiful noise - shitty bike shop acoustics slayed. 10 years later I'm hearing beautiful shoegaze from this band and discovering some epic history.

[@maniscalcane]

Dunno what that means but I like it

[@christophermaynard1902]

It's not shoegaze; this is no slowdive; it's another beast entirely...they really know how to rock...

[@slaytronic]

@@christophermaynard1902 it's def shoegaze

[@christophermaynard1902]

@@slaytronic well I'm hearing something different lol...it's all good...to me the the sound of shoegaze will always be slowdive. Been listening to them since the beginning I guess it's just me being spoiled by their signature sound...tjf sound when I hear it can be quite heavy at times which I absolutely love....enjoy the music!!!!

[@hdng1984]

@@slaytronic it's gazing-at-someone-elses-shoes-gaze

[@TheDavidjenn]

This goes to show.. it doesn't matter how much money you put into something.. if you suck at it, no money will help you make it look good. The passion for it will overcome budgets and will really put things together well. Good job, this is probably the best live recording of them to date!

[@Phoney.Baloney]

2019 and I’m comin back constantly!

[@HasanibnSabah]

Right there with ya buddy

[@simonblossom]

I want this played at my funeral with that crescendo playing full blast as my coffin goes through the curtain.Thank you and good night BOOM !!! What a way to go )

[@tomharding]

Can I steal this idea? That would be such an incredible way to go out

[@badofcheese]

Beautiful. I’m definitely stealing that. This version of the song is the chaos, pathos, joy and sadness of a whole life lived condensed into nine minutes of pure emotion. Perfect.

[@alanbauch2815]

Everytime i watch this, it brings me to tears, these guys try so impeccably hard

[@punktlig7354]

Just watched them live in Columbus with Mobley and The Front Bottoms. The were one of the openers but when they were finishing with this song for the night. I would have been content and happy to leave after this. I was blown away at how amazing this is live. Made a forever fan out of me!

[@Winter-Cardinal]

Just saw them a few nights ago in Portland. Agreed. This song live vibrates your DNA in all the good ways.

[@punktlig7354]

@@Winter-Cardinal To me, it’s now my definition of concert. The atmosphere was out of this world.

[@RichardinNC1]

Yes I saw them a year ago in Charlotte. Blew away the other acts!

[@sirhenners204]

now that’s what you call excellent songwriting

[@Askonti]

Delightful. 😶

[@skeptik]

@KZbin needs to add a "Love" button. I would have clicked it for this video.

[@sirarthurfrentzel7586]

This is My all time favorite band. Never die The Joy Formidable.

[@Piero5711]

for me too!

[@electricbloom13]

I saw them at Corona Capital in Mexico City, I can't describe it!!!!! The Joy Formidable are AWESOME!

[@kitano0]

I really liked editing in this video....I usually don't like a cut-a-second, but it works for this performance... I kept thinking she was going to set that guitar on fire...then I realized that she did....

[@AdieBurton]

i don't watch TV buy newspapers or listen to radio anymore so i get behind with who or whats new, who cares how the music is made up, these are original write play & sing there own stuff it's NOT repetitive chit you here from most of today's so called stars, i like them & love this Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop as a venue.. just my views :-)

[@Jturbo3077]

Watching Ritzy here is why I love music.....intensity, emotion, great playing.....she is on her way to rock goddess category

[@markhagan6558]

Now THAT'S a great use of a bike shop after hours. Love this band.

[@ecostarr]

Holy shit that was intense. The crescendo just kept building and building.

[@caseyclausen2627]

I love it. Seen them live three times. I never have run as fast as I have listening to this song.

[@os5034]

Como amo esos 4min de noise ❤❤❤ ella sabe tanto ✨

[@thedogoffaleash]

These guys are awesome live. So much force for a 3 piece band. They blew everyone away. I guess you could say they were a formidable force.

[@GBeltran767]

Booooo

[@soapmeridius]

thedogoffaleash oh the joy

[@jarredescobedo4]

+soapmeridius both of you deserves medals

[@crowquentin104]

man- wish i could've seen this performance, hey but these guys are the REAL FREAKING DEAL- Go TJF!!! -Big fan

[@agreen182]

I showed this video to an acquaintance of mine to convince him to come to a TJF show with me, and a few years later I was best man in his wedding. Not saying it's related, but it certainly didn't hurt.

[@Wuffyful]

These guys and girl are by far the sweetest bandmates I have seen in a long time. And they make such nice music.

[@daveshousestudio]

Amazing performance. First heard if the band from HI Fi Rush. I've since checked out their albums. This performance is phenomenal. The raw power and sound. Sounds like a modern Sonic Youth or Dinosaur Jr, but with their own unique touch

[@Piero5711]

I love you The Joy Formidable

[@pootypooty]

this band is completely insane. i can't believe how much power and energy they channel through their three instruments. and +1 on the absolutely superb film editing. it would have been a very different video without it.

[@skeptik]

KEXP often makes me kick myself for missing bands live. Adding the Joy Formidable to the list. Outstanding.

[@mlette408]

This performance is too dope! Still a banger, to this day!

[@jeveriss]

Never listened to these guys before but I watched the whole 9 minutes.

[@mc540flip]

Wow, props to that drummer! Awesome performance.

[@nsxpetes]

That was too perfect

[@DhafinFausta]

damn, it's been 10 years!!! I was sitting in the 7th grade of my JHS years and now here I am trying to finish my college... in the 9th Semester! ffkk where was time goes by? I miss those years. Tons of dreams. I feel like my time has gone wasted.

[@Rickm71]

Hard to believe this has been 10 years...SXSW was stacked that year and i almost missed this performance at Mellow Johnny's. It ended up being one of the highlights of the week!! I hope in 2021-22 we can get back to this type of setting...this is what makes music magical.

[@TheCurlyW]

They went all out for the audience.I bet they went home thinking that was the best concert they ever been to.

[@maxc.m.9038]

OK, an unknown just discovered band, a girl at guitar, bikes all around and a bunch of noisy pedals... Am I dead? I'm in heaven?

[@Piero5711]

You're in heaven, like me the first time I discovered this band!

[@ice642man]

There’s this video game called HiFi Rush and one of the levels feature this song. I’m glad the game introduced this song to me 🤘🏼🔥🤌🏼✨

[@sirarthurfrentzel1434]

These folks are really really really really really really really really good.

[@andrewman8763]

DAMN IM WASNT EXPECTING WHAT IN THE WOW MIND FREAKING BLOWN

[@chuddoctor6820]

Hi Fi Rush 😍

[@Dave-kg8kd]

Went to see them just to hear this one, and I was not disappointed !

[@stephenmccoy898]

This band were fuckin excellent, I remember going to see them In The limelight in belfast and by fuck they were outstanding, must be 10 or 12 years ago, I caught them on TV one time during my ears pricked, then saw them advertised for Belfast and thought I'd go,, really really outstanding,, whatever happened to them

[@spanawaykim1]

I go back to this video when I want to watch a kick ass music performance!!

[@dylanvine]

Wow, wow and wow.. back live soon.

[@edwardcutler6263]

The welsh dragon breathes

[@Piero5711]

I love you The Joy Formidable and this wonderful live too!!

[@ru4yeshua]

Wow, intoxicating. I was not expecting that at all! Most excellent…

[@Teknakill]

new meme meaning, i agree

[@jjbong]

Some night after a long day. You justwant to hear them to know its a wonderful life.

[@nickvareymusic]

She's got real character!

[@jharristurner]

I liked the song on the radio but the live versions are tremendous. So much stage presence and the use of feedback and noise remind me of what rock n roll was to me as a kid, its perfection.

[@mcmSEA]

Force of fucking nature, them. Just wonderful.

[@levilarson]

Love. Amazing. Brilliant. Can't get enough!

[@WinstonGuitar]

this is my favorite live version of the song, including at the beginning, where the drummer looks like he's off his meds

[@angiepippi]

I love the crazy baby doll eyes. It is a little spooky at first but it becomes endearing. They build a wall of sound rock by rock. The editting is beyond perfect.

[@cnombret]

Just saw them last saturday, still the same energy, they fucking kick ass. Best show of the festival for me

[@Piero5711]

for me too!!

[@NigarT]

They all look crazy as hell = A great modern band

[@alexbourdages3501]

Jesus... Can we take a second and appreciate Rhydian tuning his string mid-song at 2:19 and then jumping back in without any fuss? What a pro

[@Lotrfan99]

I totally agree. I have found so many great bands due to your live videos. Thanks again!

[@Piero5711]

wonderful live, i love The Joy Formidable

[@pablo2541]

I did not blink or breathe those last 5 minutes! Amazing sound!

[@puffin_time]

She's such an awesome guitar player!

[@jrperezdo]

An honest and powerful performance. Made me a fan with one song

[@Sweeneytv]

Man. She has a mezmorizing voice. So unique. And good live.

[@jasonfoster4060]

It's like the best jam session ever turned into a song

[@zzipdrive]

now THAT was a trip. thanks for making my day!

[@fuzzylogiceire]

There aren't enough girls rocking out on electric guitars these days, this is brilliant stuff

[@thereaction8648]

Try these: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWe4loStebSHm68 (I discovered The Joy Formidable as a KZbin suggestion under it.)

[@LuDux]

@@thereaction8648 I'll add kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2S6i2CcnL6jrpY and kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKXPq3ahp7V1etU

[@mammontustado9680]

@@thereaction8648 from kexp to high school talent show smh

[@thereaction8648]

@@mammontustado9680 Is this supposed to be an insult? If you think the Warning are a high school band, I'd love to hear clips of the musicians from *your* high school. I'll wait....

[@RCAvhstape]

@@thereaction8648 His high school can beat up your high school.

[@miguelitoh2o]

It brings tears of joy to see musicians kick ass this hard. Phil Spector had nuthin' on this wall of sound.

[@joeypinili]

I just luv ritzy's crazy eyes! :D

[@417altavista]

She is on another level; one that is above the level most of us dwell.

[@mh-ye1vw]

I love this song...ritzy is amazing 😘