almost monday Show Up and Show Out in Exclusive Album Listening Party
Malibu, California - August 30, 2026
As the sun set over the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, fans lined up outside Aviator Nation Dreamland in Malibu, waiting to be let into the venue for almost monday’s pop-up album listening experience ahead of their new album release. As surfers walked back from the beach and visitors left Malibu Pier, they asked what the fans were in line for, to which they would enthusiastically respond, “Almost monday! Check them out!” Even from outside the venue, it was clear that this highly thought-out event was going to be a peak experience for fans that stayed true to almost monday’s beachy and sunny roots.
Almost monday is an indie-pop San Diego-based trio composed of vocalist Dawson Daugherty, guitarist Cole Clisby, and bassist Luke Fabry. The band will be releasing their sophomore album, THANK GOD IT’S ALMOST MONDAY, on September 9.
Most recently, they released “superprism” on August 21, the last single before the album release. The new album explores a new emotional terrain for the band, without dimming their well-known carefree spirit. The band kicked off these pop-up listening experiences in New York City on August 21 and is now hosting one in Malibu. There will be two more listening experiences, but the locations have yet to be revealed.
Fans gathered inside the venue next to the main stage and outside on the venue’s patio. There was an air of excitement as fans put on their exclusive LA merch hoodies, read their almost monday newspapers, and even drank from cups with the upcoming album’s name printed on them.
The experience started outside on the patio, which was strung up with yellow patio lights, with palm trees lining an inner wall. The band came out, thanked the fans, then started mingling with fans and friends as the new unreleased album played over the loudspeaker outside. Fans were dedicated to the experience, dancing to unreleased songs and letting the uplifting almost monday spirit wash over them.
As the album went on, fans got more and more into it. When “skinny dip,” which was previously released as a single on May 29, came on, the fans were clearly ready to dance all night long. A handful of people even formed a dance circle, which Daugherty joined, enjoying this exclusive and intimate experience with his fans. When the song on the album’s tracklist, “better late than never,” started playing, the entire crowd formed one big circle with Daugherty and a few fans in the center, and his bandmates, Fabry and Clisby, were close behind, watching in glee.
Before the event started, almost monday fan Jasmine Dobie expressed her favorite part of being a fan of the band. “I feel like it’s a really personal experience, no matter when you see them or where you see them,” she said. “It’s good to have that connection, and I think that’s what’s also helped them get more fans because people see the way they’re appreciated [by the band].”
Even before the listening experience started, fans were praising almost monday and the lengths they go to to make their fans feel valued and how the band gives back to them.
As the first portion of the night concluded, the fans and band alike headed inside the venue for a short but memorable show. This set started with “french kids,” a new disco-leaning song that calls back to their memories in France on tour and watching fans lose themselves in the music. During the song, Daugherty kicked off his sandals and graced the crowd with his iconic and unhinged movements on stage.
The second song of the show was “no more regrets,” which fans instantly recognized as it was released earlier this summer on May 1. The outside energy of “skinny dip” followed the crowd inside as they danced to the third tune of the performance. A band member from Sun Room, who was there supporting almost monday and will be joining the band on tour later this month, even got up to crowd surf during the song.
Showing the audience their versatility, they played “leaving is easy,” their first single release from THANK GOD IT’S ALMOST MONDAY, next. This tune highlights how well the band musically gels together by seamlessly switching tempos for the chorus.
To finish the set, the band played “enjoy the ride,” their most streamed song from the new album so far, and ended with their most popular song, “can’t slow down.” The iconic riff at the start of “can’t slow down” set fans into a frenzy and ended the night on a high note, leaving fans with a memorable experience with a band they love and support.
A special shout-out also needs to be given to almost monday’s team for executing an event that captured the band’s carefree spirit and beach vibes. This listening experience is a testament to how well almost monday fans will show up and show out for the band, and how much the band wants to give back to and show their fans that they appreciate the unwavering support.
THANK GOD IT’S ALMOST MONDAY will be released on September 9, and the band embarks on their “THANK GOD IT’S ALMOST MONDAY” tour on September 27 in Hartford, Connecticut. They will also have a vinyl signing and in-store performance at Amoeba Music in Hollywood on September 9.
