Concert review: OK Go | Agora Theatre | Cleveland, OH | 04.27.2025

A band known as much for their viral music videos as for their alt-pop live performances, OK Go lifted Cleveland’s Agora Theatre to new heights. It was a technicolor spectacle packed with confetti, questions, and whistling.

Following the modernly retro West Coast indie rock band L.A. Exes in their show of heartbreak, glamor, and nostalgic feminine power, OK Go took to the stage in matching white suits. It was clear from the jump that the night would be a shared experience between the artists and their audience. 

“This Too Shall Pass” was a strong opening song to both set the tone of the setlist and welcome fans with one of their favorite tunes. Balancing their classic hits with new releases on their fifth studio album ‘And the Adjacent Possible’ which came out in April of this year, crowds were able to experience “A Good, Good Day at Last,” “This Is How It Ends” (performed by lead singer Damian Kulash in the crowd) and “Love” for the first time live in Cleveland.

Being known for their layered creativity, the concert was a production through sound, sight, and surprise working in tandem. “Shooting the Moon,” which was featured in The Twilight Saga: New Moon, was performed solely with handbells, transforming the song’s original layered production into a delicate, whimsical arrangement that showcased the band’s playful musical precision. The crowd, ranging from long-time fans to new listeners, maintained their smiles all night, as did the musicians. Guitarist Andy Ross and bassist Tim Nordwind traded harmonies and smiles all night, while drummer Dan Konopka held down the chaos with laser precision. 

Since their music video for “Here It Goes Again” in all of its treadmilling fascination took the internet by storm in 2006, authenticity and inventiveness remained strong traits of the group, something that we were all reminded of when Damien offered a question to an audience member–something he’d done at a number of points throughout the night. The question focused on whistling, to which the fan was invited on stage to show us his whistling skills. Chants of “Matt” encouraged him to step up and truly shock us with the strength and fluidity of his whistle. OK Go then performed “Do What You Want” with Matt, his whistling adding a unique accent to the already dynamic tune. They even paused mid-song to give him a whistling solo, which sent the crowd wild.

Closing the main set with the song that launched it all, “Here It Goes Again,” and with everyone singing together, those final moments felt less like a concert and more like a communal reminder of why we show up to see bands in real life. After an encore of “A Stone Only Rolls Downhill,” “Bye Bye Baby,” and “The One Moment,” the house lights rose and a joyous crowd dispersed into the Cleveland streets with their favorite lyrics echoing in their minds.