Michael Angelakos Pulls Back the Curtain on Passion Pit at Deluxx Fluxx [Photos]

Michael Angelakos, better known to the masses as Passion Pit, has had anything but a conventional journey in the world of music. He’s one to push boundaries, in every sense; from his genre-melding sound to his refusal to conform to an industry that demands endless output against every human instinct.

Passion Pit is known to most for the bright, upbeat, danceable, radio-friendly sound of hits like “Sleephead” and “Take A Walk.” And rightfully so; it’s a sound that Angelakos has mastered over the years. But the man has also mastered the art of juxtaposing an impossibly happy tune with lyrical content that is anything but. Having been public with his diagnosis and lifelong management of bipolar disorder, Angelakos does not shy away from the darker truths of life, and fans of all walks of life have found themselves connecting with the shiny and appealing package he presents them in.

After several years of touring, Angelakos made his return to the stage in a different format this time, with a residency at New York City’s Deluxx Fluxx night club. Originally slated to run eight nights from the end of April throughout May, the show saw such success that two final performances were added on June 4th and 5th. The experience is anything but a typical Passion Pit concert; while, yes, there will be dancing and there will be music, Angelakos is taking the opportunity to pull back the curtain on Passion Pit and curate an experience for his truest fans.

Over approximately three hours featuring two brief intermissions, Angelakos took concertgoers through an intricate and thoughtful sonic journey. A tiny stage packed with gear saw the man boxed in between synths, keyboards, a drum pad, and an acoustic guitar, and he’s never looked so much at home. Fans were treated to unique re-imaginings of all the hits and setlist staples (“Carried Away,” “Constant Conversations”), more rarely played gems (“Where The Sky Hangs,” “I’ve Got Your Number”), and a slew of currently unreleased songs. He told some of the stories that inspired the songs, ranging from a former engagement, his relationship with his father, and the pains of touring finances. He made sure to make the evening a collaborative effort by regularly checking in with and taking questions from the audience.

The concert was a lot of adjectives: immersive, intimate, genuine, but most of all, it was humanizing. Passion Pit has made their mark on radio waves with a shiny and glossy sound, but Michael Angelakos’ residency pulled back the covers to reveal himself underneath: a guy who loves music and uses it as an outlet for his inner strife, just like so very many of us listeners out there.

The residency will make its next visit to Boston’s Brighton Music Hall for four nights in June. If you’re looking for an eardrum-busting dance party, this might not be it for you, but if you’re looking for an unfiltered look into the mind of a creative, then you’re sure to have a truly enlightening and one-of-a-kind experience. Passion Pit is also expected to release their fifth full-length record, Nine Times Your Torch Song, later this year in stages, directly to fans. Tune in to Angelakos’ Substack and be the first to hear it.

Passion Pit @ Deluxx Fluxx (New York City, NY) on May 21st, 2025

42 photos