// Photo by Makenna Walko

At the 502s concert on April 25, the stage at House of Blues was dominated by an enormous flashing sign declaring the group the “happiest band on earth.” And from the moment they bounced into view, the 502s delivered on this proclamation.

Combining tropical influences with light-hearted, bright folk, the 502s concert felt like being whisked away to a sunny summer day at the beach with a few thousand friends. This coastal vibe is part of the 502s’ DNA: The band, initially formed by lead singer Ed Isola and his cousins, hails from Florida. They take their name from the street address of Isola’s childhood home, and pay tribute to their roots through the breezy, sun-soaked atmosphere that imbues their performances. 

The Boston concert was opened by Daniel Nunnelee, an up-and-coming alternative folk artist who immediately won the crowd over with humor, heart, and masterful vocals. In addition to teasing unreleased music, Nunnelee’s performance of “Pick and Choose” had the crowd swaying, enchanted.

Nunnelee was no easy act to follow, but the 502s were up to the task. Although the band is best known for their 2021 release and TikTok sensation “Just A Little While,” the 502s are on the rise and show no sign of slowing down. Their Boston performance was their largest concert ever, coming directly on the heels of their brand new self-titled album, The 502s. Although the album was less than two weeks old at the time of the concert, the crowd was already well-versed in the lyrics, exuberantly shouting the words to “Perfect Portrait of Young Love,” “If Good Times Were Dollars,” and “Something’s Gonna Go Our Way.” Other familiar favorites like “Olivia,” “Magdalene,” and “Hey Julia” were also met with an overwhelming response, and the 502s soaked up the joy and electricity of the crowd and reflected it right back. 

Although Ed Isola held the spotlight for most of the concert, each member of the band had their moment to shine. From Joe Capati’s remarkable energy-infused performance on the saxophone and trumpet to Graci Phillips’ sweet vocal solo, each band member showed off their talent and passion to the crowd’s delight. And Sean Froehlich’s jaw-dropping drum performance was as much a talent show as a musical feat. If you’re surprised to hear that a trumpet made an appearance at a beach-themed indie concert, prepare yourself: Other unexpected but masterfully executed performances featured the banjo, tambourine, clarinet, and melodica. Again and again, the 502s pushed the boundaries of genre, putting their own spin on modern folk as they danced, jumped, spun, and shimmied their way across the stage. 

From start to finish, the overwhelming emotion that permeated the performance was joy. All in all, it was clear that at the core of this wholesome, heart-warming performance was simply a beach clad group of friends having the time of their lives. 

// Makenna Walko '27 is a DJ and staff writer for The Blues Hangover.