If you want to know what the auditory embodiment of the weekend would be, look no further than the LA-based band Fitz and the Tantrums. On a Tuesday night, in front of a sold-out 9:30 Club, the five-piece made it feel like we had all gotten in a time machine and fast forwarded to Saturday.

Hot on the heels of their sixth studio album, Man on the Moon, Fitz and the Tantrums pulled out all the stops along with Philly openers SNACKTIME at their stop in the Nation’s Capital.

Kicking things off, Fitz and the Tantrums came out swinging with “OCD” from 2019’s All The Feels followed by another fast-paced newer tune, “OK OK OK.” As singers Michael Fitzpatrick and Noelle Scaggs crossed back and forth singing their hearts out, the rest of the band – bassist, Joe Karnes, keyboardist, Jeremy Ruzumna, and saxophonist/flutist James King with touring drummer Blair Sinta – were incredibly tight keeping an incredible groove going all through the night.

“Gosh, darn it. I swear to God, I’m not gonna dwell on it but I’ve never seen so many people so goddam happy to be here!,” Fitzpatrick told the crowd in between songs taking in the joy in this packed club. “These are the moments that feed my soul.”

And that feeling was reciprocated as the crowd sang along to every song, especially early hits like “Moneygrabber” with that undeniable Motown feel.

Bringing out SNACKTIME’s  Sam Gellerstein to play sousaphone, the band went into “Livin’ for the Weekend,” after Fitzpatrick feigning what day it was asked “What day of the week is it today? Is it Saturday?” But even if he was serious, it really did feel like the weekend as the deep horns of the song introduced the song.

Even slower songs like “Ruin The Night” and “Man on the Moon” had a driving energy that kept the night from braking.

And saving some of the best for last, Fitz and the Tantrums ended their regular set with one of their biggest singles, “The Walker,” with that infectious whistle before returning to the stage to encore with several songs, including “Moneymaker,” “Let Yourself Free,” and “Handclap.”

Catch the Official Visualizer Video for “OK OK OK” below:

Sometimes we all need a break and there’s something about the unending optimism in Fitz and the Tantrums’ songs that, to paraphrase Fitzpatrick “feeds the soul.” Fitz and the Tantrums continue their tour through the end of August, and it’s one not to miss.

The setlist included:

OCD
OK OK OK
Oh Maria
123456
Good Intentions
Heaven
MoneyGrabber
Sway
Out of My League
Livin’ for the Weekend
Ruin the Night
The Good The Bad The Ugly
Fool
Man on the Moon
Young Days
Shine
Umbrella
The Walker

Encore:
All the Feels
MoneyMaker
Let Yourself Free
HandClap

Here are more photos of Fitz and the Tantrums rocking a sold-out 9:30 Club on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. All photos copyright David LaMason.

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