The stage was set with a smattering of bright neon hands—each a thumbs up with a scribbled happy face, the symbol of Rex Orange County’s new record, WHO CARES?, words that glowed brightly above the band throughout the night. If singer Alexander James O’Connor’s numerous shrugs and casual (but custom) green tracksuit was trying to show that, he did not, in fact, care, that sentiment wasn’t mirrored by the crowd. Disposable cameras flashed, selfies were abound and the crowd became the backing chorus for the band. Despite music that documents emotional spiraling and self-doubt, the atmosphere was jubilant—a night of sing-alongs that made one thing abundantly clear: the crowd cared very much for Rex Orange County and had wished the encore lasted forever.
