The Maine Surprise Fans with a Secret Show in LA at No Vacancy
THE MAINE BRING A SECRET SHOW TO HOLLYWOOD’S HIDDEN SPEAKEASY
In a city full of noise, Los Angeles still leaves room for places that operate on their own wavelength. No Vacancy, tucked behind Hollywood Boulevard and housed in the last standing Victorian residence in the neighborhood, is one of them. The 1902 home-turned Prohibition-era speakeasy is known for its dim lighting, vintage details, and a courtyard that has quietly become a hub for intimate, last-minute performances. In recent years, artists like Wet Leg, The Hives, The Last Dinner Party, Dayseeker, and The All-American Rejects have slipped through its disguised entrance for shows capped at around 200 people.
On Monday night, The Maine joined that lineage with an unannounced two-set performance that leaned into the room’s scale rather than fought against it. The atmosphere in the crowded courtyard was one of shared energy, not chaos. The lack of a stage or typical production setup meant the band and audience were close, dissolving the usual distance between performer and spectator.
Across two 40-minute sets, The Maine's diverse catalog: “We All Roll Along,” “Right Girl,” “Like We Did,” “RUN,” “Black Butterflies,” “Slip the Noose,” “Loved You A Little,” “Blame,” and “Ho Ho Hopefully.” The songs landed with a clarity that comes from playing in a space built for eye contact and instinct rather than spectacle. During the second set, “Loved You A Little” shifted into a standout moment when Charlotte Sands stepped out to join them.
John O’Callaghan kept the tone casual, noting that the band only learned about the show days earlier. The small porch they used as a stage left little room to move, but the tight setup worked in the night’s favor. He thanked everyone for “coming to our house,” playing off the venue’s layout. Throughout the show, he stepped off the porch, moved through the crowd, and passed the microphone around as fans took over moments of the set. Ho Ho Hopefully” closed the night, with O’Callaghan bringing a fan onstage to finish the song with him.
The Maine delivered a diverse set list across two 40-minute performances, featuring songs such as “We All Roll Along,” “Right Girl,” “Like We Did,” “RUN,” “Black Butterflies,” “Slip the Noose,” “Loved You A Little,” “Blame,” and the closer, “Ho Ho Hopefully.” The small venue, built for intimacy over spectacle, allowed the music to land with striking clarity. A highlight of the second set was the appearance of Charlotte Sands, who joined the band for “Loved You A Little.”
The atmosphere was casual, with John O’Callaghan revealing the band had only learned about the show days prior. The cramped porch-turned-stage limited movement but contributed to the night's tight-knit feel. O’Callaghan thanked the audience for "coming to our house," leaning into the venue's familiar layout. Throughout the show, he frequently stepped off the porch to mingle with the crowd, passing the microphone to fans who enthusiastically took over parts of the songs. The night concluded with “Ho Ho Hopefully,” and O’Callaghan invited a fan onto the stage to finish the song with him.
Between songs, he mentioned that the band is four tracks away from finishing a new album. As soon as he writes the songs, he laughs. Before closing the night, the band casually announced an upcoming tour for 2026, ‘I Love the Maine tour.
Nights like this are part of what makes Los Angeles feel unique. In a city known for its scale and spectacle, it is often the unannounced shows, the small rooms, and the unexpected guest appearances that leave the biggest mark. The Maine turned a hidden Hollywood speakeasy into their own backyard, offering a performance that felt less like a production and more like a shared secret. With new music on the way and a tour officially announced, the band left No Vacancy with a clear sense of appreciation, not just for the turnout, but for the chance to create a moment that could only happen in a place like this.
Photos and Review by: Heather Koepp
Heather Koepp is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Rival Magazine LA, which she launched in January 2020 — an unpredictable time to start a creative project, but one that helped shape the magazine’s fearless voice. After more than a decade behind the lens, Heather has established herself as a trusted entertainment photographer, capturing some of the biggest names and moments in live music.
Her work has been featured in Rolling Stone, Billboard Magazine, People Magazine, and more, reflecting her ability to merge storytelling with visual energy. Beyond her editorial and photography career, Heather continues to support upcoming musicians and inspire new creatives while growing her craft — and raising her son, Atticus — with an unwavering commitment to art, music, and the stories that connect them.