View source for The Midnight

{{Infobox musical artist
| name             = [[File:The Midnight logo.png|frameless]]
| image            = TheMidnightChicago2023.jpg
| landscape        = no
| caption          = The Midnight in 2023
| background       = group_or_band
| origin           = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| genre            = {{hlist|Synthwave|Rock|Americana|Electronic}}
| years_active     = {{hlist|2012-present}}
| label            = {{hlist|The Midnight Music|Silk Music|Counter Records}}
| website          = {{URL|themidnightofficial.com}}
| current_members  = [[Tim McEwan]]
* [[Tyler Lyle]]
}}
'''The Midnight''' are an [[wikipedia:United_States_of_America|American]] synthwave duo based out of [[wikipedia:Los_Angeles|Los Angeles, California]], composed of producer [[Tim McEwan]] and vocalist/guitarist [[Tyler Lyle]]. The band formed after McEwan and Lyle met during an arranged co-writing session in the spring of 2012.

The Midnight debuted in 2014 with the release of their first EP, [[Days of Thunder]]. This was followed by their first album [[Endless Summer]] in 2016, after which the duo became firmly established within the synthwave music scene.

[[Nocturnal]] was released in 2017 and saw The Midnight explore a darker, more noir sound. A trilogy series of albums began in 2018 with [[Kids]], continuing with [[Monsters]] in 2020 and [[Heroes]] in 2022. The latter two records were noted for moving the band's sound in a different direction and saw them exploring additional genres outside of synthwave. In the midst of the trilogy, the band also released the Halloween-themed EP [[Horror Show]] in 2020.

They performed their [[Turbo Drive: FM-84 & The Midnight|first live show]] in 2017 and have regularly toured since. Known for being lively and energetic, The Midnight's shows have seen increased production value over the years with continuous additions of touring members and live instruments. The band has also made appearances at several notable music festivals, including Austin City Limits, Music Midtown, and Bonnaroo.

With several appearances on ''Billboard'' charts, The Midnight have been one of the most commercially successful synthwave acts. Their music has also appeared in various media forms, including video games, podcasts, and TV. Since the release of ''Monsters'', they have been signed with Counter Records, an imprint of Ninja Tune.

== Career ==

=== 2012-2014: Beginnings and ''Days of Thunder'' ===
Prior to forming The Midnight, Tyler Lyle and Tim McEwan were both established musicians. Lyle was an indie-folk singer-songwriter based in the state of [[wikipedia:Georgia|Georgia]] and gained initial notability with several self-released titles, becoming regionally and nationally known. McEwan was a drummer and producer based in [[wikipedia:Denmark|Denmark]], later becoming a member of the Danish production group [[wikipedia:Deekay|Deekay]] who has written and produced songs for many popular artists.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008 |title=Multi-platinum Record Production Team Deekay |url=http://www.myhitonline.com/Interview.aspx?id=14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921032458/http://www.myhitonline.com/Interview.aspx?id=14 |archive-date=March 24, 2022 |access-date=March 24, 2022 |website=myHitOnline}}</ref>

[[File:TimTyler2014.jpg|left|thumb|Lyle and McEwan in 2014]]

The pair met for the first time in 2012 at a songwriter’s workshop in [[wikipedia:North Hollywood|North Hollywood]] organized by Katie Donovan, Lyle’s A&amp;R representative at the time.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Vehling |first=Aaron |date=November 12, 2017 |title=Who Are The Midnight?: An Interview with the Masters of Modern Nostalgia |url=https://vehlinggo.com/2017/11/12/the-midnight-interview-nocturnal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324190301/https://vehlinggo.com/2017/11/12/the-midnight-interview-nocturnal/ |archive-date=March 24, 2022 |access-date=March 24, 2022 |website=Vehlinggo}}</ref> Before meeting, McEwan had listened to some of Lyle’s previous work and liked Lyle’s folk sound. Despite differing musical backgrounds, they bonded over a mutual love of 80s rock and began to write songs together. After initially struggling to define their sound, McEwan suggested that they compose songs in the synthwave style. McEwan had previous exposure to the genre and was inspired by the movie [[wikipedia:Drive (2011 film)|Drive]]. The first song they wrote together was [[WeMoveForward]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 30, 2019 |title=Retrowave Sessions Ep 2: The Midnight - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9VPeEZKxlY&t=266s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324191102/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9VPeEZKxlY&t=266s |archive-date=March 24, 2022 |access-date=March 24, 2022 |website=YouTube}}</ref>

After the initial meeting in 2012, Lyle and McEwan continued writing and recording together over the next two years. In March 2014, Lyle announced on his Twitter that iAmData (McEwan's moniker at the time) and himself were starting a band called "The Midnight".<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 27, 2014 |title=Tyler Lyle on Twitter: "This is my buddy @i_Am_Data &amp; me. We’re starting a band called The Midnight (@TheMidnightLA). stay tuned!" / Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/tylerlyle/status/449212099525218304 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824144416/https://twitter.com/tylerlyle/status/449212099525218304 |archive-date=August 24, 2023 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=Twitter}}</ref> According to Lyle, the name came from McEwan and himself throwing out random names until they found one that stuck.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 21, 2019 |title=We are The Midnight and we’re playing Electric Forest for the first time. Ask us Anything! : ElectricForest |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricForest/comments/brea4u/we_are_the_midnight_and_were_playing_electric/eod58sy/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324191551/https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricForest/comments/brea4u/we_are_the_midnight_and_were_playing_electric/eod58sy/?context=3 |archive-date=March 24, 2022 |access-date=March 24, 2022 |website=Reddit}}</ref> Other band names that they considered were &quot;Lightyears&quot;, &quot;Temporary Tigers&quot;, and &quot;The Midnight Tigers.&quot;

<div class="borderless-img-with-caption">[[File:AltLogo.png|right|thumb|Original logo, used primarily from 2015-2017. Still used on occasion]]</div>

The Midnight created their first social media accounts in early 2014 and began teasing an EP, which would prove to be [[Days of Thunder]]. Released on July 15, the EP was profiled on electronic music site DRIVE Radio and continued to gain traction on Reddit throughout 2014 and 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 30, 2014 |title=The Midnight - My favorite radio station DRIVE Radio posted a... {{!}} Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/TheMidnightOfficial/posts/pfbid028pfZEGEWs3hdP4Hgr4T229HB2661UqZNPHBRDX1BDXnfzLZfirh7KpCUMYD3eZNJl |url-status=live |access-date=September 24, 2023 |website=Facebook}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2, 2014 |title=The Midnight - Days of Thunder (2014) : futuresynth |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/futuresynth/comments/2fahw0/the_midnight_days_of_thunder_2014/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://themidnight.wiki/archivepages/DaysOfThunderReddit1.html |archive-date=September 11, 2023 |access-date=September 11, 2023 |website=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 24, 2014 |title=The Midnight -- Days of Thunder [Synthwave/Synthpop] (2014) : listentothis |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/listentothis/comments/2efnew/the_midnight_days_of_thunder_synthwavesynthpop/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824154354/http://www.reddit.com/r/listentothis/comments/2efnew/the_midnight_days_of_thunder_synthwavesynthpop/ |archive-date=August 24, 2014 |access-date=September 11, 2023 |website=Reddit}}</ref> An official description included with ''Days of Thunder'' described The Midnight's sound and philosophy:<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=July 15, 2014 |title=Days of Thunder {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/days-of-thunder |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217081123/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/days-of-thunder |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref><blockquote>''There is a Japanese term: Mono no aware. It means basically, the sad beauty of seeing time pass - the aching awareness of impermanence. These are the days that we will return to one day in the future only in memories. How do we capture them? How could we possibly be able to fully appreciate them in the present? This project is our attempt to put time under glass. The Midnight is a marriage between a songwriter from the Deep South and a producer from Denmark who both live in Los Angeles. The songs were written in North Hollywood and Santa Monica over two years and represent the first fruit of The Midnight. This is our love song to our city and a testament to the weight these years can hold.''
</blockquote>

===2015-2017: ''Endless Summer,'' first live shows, ''The Midnight Remixed,'' and ''Nocturnal'' ===
[[File:Nick asokan dna lounge san francisco 20170714 19.jpg|left|thumb|300x300px|The Midnight's first live show]]
The Midnight began work on a follow-up to ''Days of Thunder'' in 2015. Teaser clips of songs being worked on for the record were posted to their social media accounts throughout the year. In August 2015, McEwan said on social media that a new record was still several months away, expressing a desire to "push the envelope on the synthwave genre".<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 17, 2015 |title=The Midnight - To everybody asking when the new album/EP... {{!}} Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/TheMidnightOfficial/posts/1615738348650978 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://themidnight.wiki/archivepages/TheMidnightGenrePush.html |archive-date=May 20, 2023 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=Facebook}}</ref> A new song, [[The Equaliser (Not Alone)]], was released on the DRIVE Radio compilation ''Selection Volume 1'' in March 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 24, 2016 |title=Selection Volume 1 {{!}} Drive Radio {{!}} Lazerdiscs Records |url=https://lazerdiscs.bandcamp.com/album/selection-volume-1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711153145/https://lazerdiscs.bandcamp.com/album/selection-volume-1 |archive-date=July 11, 2023 |access-date=August 29, 2023 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref>

Following the release of the singles [[Sunset]] and [[Vampires]] in May and June, the next The Midnight record was revealed in July 2016 to be a full-length album titled [[Endless Summer]] and was released on August 5, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 5, 2016 |title=Endless Summer {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/endless-summer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409144811/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/endless-summer |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref> Expanding on their efforts from ''Days of Thunder'', ''Endless Summer'' received positive reviews from online media outlets and garnered the band new exposure within the burgeoning synthwave community, with songs like ''Sunset'' and [[Jason]] becoming staples of the genre.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 25, 2016 |title=The Midnight’s Endless Summer is 2016’s Greatest ’80s Soundtrack (Review) - Opus |url=https://opuszine.us/reviews/endless-summer-midnight-2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408213959/https://opuszine.us/reviews/endless-summer-midnight-2016 |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=Opus}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2017 |title=In The Spotlight: The Midnight - "Endless Summer" - New Fury Media |url=https://thenewfury.com/in-the-spotlight-the-midnight-endless-summer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409093848/https://thenewfury.com/in-the-spotlight-the-midnight-endless-summer/ |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=New Fury Media}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zistler |first=Andrew |date=August 29, 2016 |title=The Midnight - Endless Summer - NewRetroWave - Stay Retro! {{!}} Live The 80's Dream! |url=https://newretrowave.com/2016/08/29/the-midnight-endless-summer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408213938/https://newretrowave.com/2016/08/29/the-midnight-endless-summer/ |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=NewRetroWave}}</ref> ''Jason'' in particular is notable for being The Midnight's first collaboration with singer-songwriter [[Nikki Flores]], who would continue to collaborate with the band in the years to come.

The success of ''Endless Summer'' established The Midnight as one of the top acts in synthwave and was the precursor to a busy 2017 for the band. Early that year, they began planning their first-ever live show to capitalize on their ubiquity in the synthwave space. While McEwan had previously done some DJ sets in 2017 under The Midnight name, they had yet to do a live show that featured Lyle as well. Announced in May 2017, [[Turbo Drive: FM-84 & The Midnight|the debut show]] was co-headlined with fellow synthwave titan FM-84 and took place at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco in July in front of a sold-out crowd.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/TheMidnightOfficial/photos/a.1528254687399345/1878959385662205/|date=May 22, 2017|access-date=May 27, 2023|website=Facebook|archive-url=https://themidnight.wiki/archivepages/TheMidnightFM84Announcement.html|archive-date=May 27, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/fm84music/photos/a.628085320655463/1028441727286485/|date=May 22, 2017|access-date=May 27, 2023|website=Facebook|archive-url=https://themidnight.wiki/archivepages/TheMidnightFM84Announcement2.html|archive-date=May 27, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=FM-84 and The Midnight Concert?! Yes.. This is VERY REAL!!! - NewRetroWave - Stay Retro! {{!}} Live The 80's Dream! |url=https://newretrowave.com/2017/05/22/fm-84-and-the-midnight-concert-yes-this-is-very-real/|date=May 22, 2017|access-date=May 27, 2023|website=NewRetroWave|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625132200/https://newretrowave.com/2017/05/22/fm-84-and-the-midnight-concert-yes-this-is-very-real/|archive-date=June 25, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=DNA Lounge: FM-84 & The Midnight, 14 Jul 2017 (Fri) |url=https://www.dnalounge.com/calendar/2017/07-14.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040159/https://www.dnalounge.com/calendar/2017/07-14.html |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=DNA Lounge}}</ref> The show was also notable for the introduction of [[Jesse Molloy]] as the band's first live saxophone player, a role he would continue to have until 2022.
[[File:NocturnalPoster.jpg|thumb|[[Nocturnal]] promotional poster|280x280px]]
While planning the live show, The Midnight also began work on their next record. The band shared a clip from a studio session with Nikki Flores in February 2017 and several weeks later McEwan shared that he was writing songs with Lyle in New York City, Lyle's home at the time.<ref>https://www.facebook.com/TheMidnightOfficial/videos/1836541939903950</ref><ref>https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1839389036285907&id=1396858670538948</ref> A new song from the unnamed record was played at the DNA Lounge show, and clips of new songs continued to be shared throughout the summer. During this time, a remix album was announced in July from the label Silk Music, who had previously released remix singles of [[WeMoveForward]] and [[Days of Thunder]] in 2016.<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/wemoveforward-incl-talamanca-remix</ref><ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/days-of-thunder-2</ref> The release of [[The Midnight Remixed]] in August was a significant milestone for the band, as it was their first album to be associated with a label and the first to appear on a ''Billboard'' chart, peaking at number 22 on the [[wikipedia:Dance/Electronic Albums|Dance/Electronic Albums Chart]].  

Also in August 2017, The Midnight's new album [[Nocturnal]] was officially announced. [[Crystalline]] was released as its only single in September, followed by the album's release on October 13. Featuring collaborations with [[Nikki Flores]] and [[wikipedia:Timecop1983|Timecop1983]], ''Nocturnal'' was noted for having a considerably darker sound compared to previous The Midnight offerings and received mostly positive reviews from critics.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sievers |first=Alex |date=October 16, 2017 |title=Album Review: The Midnight - 'Nocturnal' {{!}} KillYourStereo {{!}} Australian and International Punk, Hardcore, Metal, Rock and Indie Music News, Reviews, Interviews and Comps |url=https://killyourstereo.com/reviews/the-midnight-nocturnal/FlICCAsKDQw/16-10-17 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://themidnight.wiki/archivepages/KillYourStereoNocturnal.html |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |access-date=May 8, 2023 |website=KillYouStereo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilcoxson |first=Steven |date=September 17, 2018 |title=THE MIDNIGHT – Nocturnal - NewRetroWave - Stay Retro! {{!}} Live The 80's Dream! |url=https://newretrowave.com/2018/09/17/the-midnight-the-nocturnal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209053430/https://newretrowave.com/2018/09/17/the-midnight-the-nocturnal/ |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |access-date=May 8, 2023 |website=NewRetroWave}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zistler |first=Andrew |date=October 23, 2017 |title=The Midnight - Nocturnal - NewRetroWave - Stay Retro! {{!}} Live The 80's Dream! |url=https://newretrowave.com/2017/10/23/the-midnight-nocturnal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003041851/https://newretrowave.com/2017/10/23/the-midnight-nocturnal/ |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |access-date=May 8, 2023 |website=NewRetroWave}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vehling |first=Aaron |date=October 31, 2017 |title=Recommends: The Midnight, Mr. Eff, Nightcrawler, The G |url=https://vehlinggo.com/2017/10/31/recommended-listening-the-midnight-mr-eff-more/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203010656/https://vehlinggo.com/2017/10/31/recommended-listening-the-midnight-mr-eff-more/ |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |access-date=May 9, 2023 |website=Vehlinggo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 19, 2017 |title=Virée nocturne avec Nocturnal, le nouvel EP de The Midnight – Synthspiria |url=https://synthspiria.com/the-midnight-nocturnal/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201202129/https://synthspiria.com/the-midnight-nocturnal/ |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |access-date=May 9, 2023 |website=Synthspiria}}</ref> Synthwave news site ''NewRetroWave'' chose it as their top EP of 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edsall |first=Joey |date=December 28, 2017 |title=Top Ten Retrowave EP's of 2017 - NewRetroWave - Stay Retro! {{!}} Live The 80's Dream! |url=https://newretrowave.com/2017/12/28/top-ten-retrowave-eps-of-2017/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321203204/https://newretrowave.com/2017/12/28/top-ten-retrowave-eps-of-2017/ |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |access-date=November 16, 2023 |website=NewRetroWave}}</ref> In addition to being the top-selling album on Bandcamp for more than a week'', Nocturnal'' also charted at number 17 on the ''Billboard'' Dance/Electronic Albums Chart and later peaked at number 17 on the [[wikipedia:Top Heatseekers|Billboard Heatseekers Album chart]] in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 14, 2017 |title=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/1396858670538948/photos/a.1528254687399345/1944439209114222/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://themidnight.wiki/archivepages/NocturnalNo1Bandcamp.html |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |access-date=November 16, 2023 |website=Facebook}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 18, 2017 |title=The Midnight - We’re still no. 1 on bandcamp. That’s almost a week... {{!}} Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1946294448928698&id=1396858670538948 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://themidnight.wiki/archivepages/NocturnalNo1BandcampWeek.html |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |access-date=November 16, 2023 |website=Facebook}}</ref><ref>https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1948361688721974&id=1396858670538948</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 30, 2017 |title=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/1396858670538948/photos/a.1423071464584335/1951224048435738 |archive-url=https://themidnight.wiki/archivepages/TheMidnightNocturnalCharting.html |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |access-date=May 9, 2023 |website=Facebook}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Midnight {{!}} Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-midnight/chart-history/TLN/song/1049930 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619210753/https://www.billboard.com/music/the-midnight/chart-history/TLN/song/1049930 |archive-date=June 19, 2021 |access-date=May 9, 2023 |website=Billboard}}</ref>

The Midnight ended 2017 with another sold out live show in November. Co-headlining with FM-84 again, the show took place at the Globe Theatre in Los Angeles and featured Nikki Flores live with the band for the first time.

===2018-2020: ''Kids'' trilogy begins, touring, second remix album, and ''Monsters''===
Shortly after the release of ''Nocturnal'', McEwan revealed that The Midnight's next record was already in development, describing it as a more "summer feeling" EP that they expected to release in the spring or summer of 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 12, 2017 |title=Who Are The Midnight?: An Interview with the Masters of Modern Nostalgia |url=https://vehlinggo.com/2017/11/12/the-midnight-interview-nocturnal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324190301/https://vehlinggo.com/2017/11/12/the-midnight-interview-nocturnal/ |archive-date=March 24, 2022 |access-date=April 3, 2022 |website=Vehlinggo}}</ref> While work commenced on the new record, the band did a small tour of three shows in March 2018 in the cities of Chicago and New York City. In April, The Midnight's [[Fall 2018 Tour|first official tour]] was announced for the fall, with 18 shows planned across North America.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 3, 2018 |title=The Midnight on Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2020862231471919 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410120616/https://www.facebook.com/TheMidnightOfficial/videos/2020862231471919/ |archive-date=April 10, 2022 |access-date=April 10, 2022 |website=Facebook}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 4, 2018 |title=The Midnight on Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2021325674758908&id=1396858670538948 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410120735/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3D2021325674758908%26id%3D1396858670538948 |archive-date=April 10, 2022 |access-date=April 10, 2022 |website=Facebook}}</ref> Strong ticket sales prompted The Midnight to announce their first European shows in June, which would take place in the spring of 2019. 
[[File:Eric thornburg holocene portland 20180930 21.jpg|left|thumb|299x299px|A setlist from the [[Fall 2018 Tour]]]]
In May 2018, The Midnight were featured on the Timecop1983 song [[Static]] from his album ''Night Drive''. New singles [[Lost Boy]] and [[America 2]] appeared in July and August,<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=July 13, 2018 |title=Lost Boy {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/track/lost-boy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212125600/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/track/lost-boy |archive-date=February 12, 2022 |access-date=April 3, 2022 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 3, 2018 |title=America 2 {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/track/america-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023025515/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/track/america-2 |archive-date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=August 30, 2018 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref> and later in August the next The Midnight album was confirmed to be [[Kids|Kids.]]<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/BmitYzgFtFx/</ref> 

Released on September 21, 2018, ''Kids'' showcased a more upbeat and lighter tone compared to ''Nocturnal.'' The album received more mixed reviews compared to previous The Midnight offerings.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2018 |title=Album Review: The Midnight - Kids - Iron Skullet |url=https://ironskullet.com/2018/09/24/album-review-the-midnight-kids/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927174604/https://ironskullet.com/2018/09/24/album-review-the-midnight-kids/ |archive-date=September 27, 2018 |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=Iron Skullet}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vehling |first=Aaron |date=September 21, 2018 |title=The Midnight - Kids • Review • Vehlinggo |url=https://vehlinggo.com/2018/09/21/midnight-kids-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506021034/https://vehlinggo.com/2018/09/21/midnight-kids-review/ |archive-date=May 6, 2023 |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=Vehlinggo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sievers |first=Alex |date=September 24, 2018 |title=Album Review: The Midnight - 'Kids' {{!}} KillYourStereo {{!}} Australian and International Punk, Hardcore, Metal, Rock and Indie Music News, Reviews, Interviews and Comps |url=https://killyourstereo.com/reviews/the-midnight-kids/gf2ZlZSXlpk/24-09-18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://themidnight.wiki/archivepages/TheMidnightKidsReview.html |archive-date=May 11, 2023 |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=Kill Your Stereo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Treakle |first=James |date=July 15, 2019 |title=[Album Review] Not a Sentimental Age – Kids (2018) by The Midnight — Indie Frontiers |url=https://www.indiefrontiers.com/home/not-a-sentimental-age-kids-2019-by-the-midnight-album-review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717063144/https://www.indiefrontiers.com/home/not-a-sentimental-age-kids-2019-by-the-midnight-album-review |archive-date=July 17, 2019 |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=Indie Frontiers}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zistler |first=Andrew |date=September 23, 2018 |title=The Midnight - Kids - NewRetroWave - Stay Retro! {{!}} Live The 80's Dream! |url=https://newretrowave.com/2018/09/23/the-midnight-kids/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030074645/https://newretrowave.com/2018/09/23/the-midnight-kids/ |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=NewRetroWave}}</ref>'' While most reviewers praised the overall sound and aesthetics of the album and credited the band for continuing to evolve the synthwave genre, others viewed it as sounding "too commercial". The album was also noted in most reviews for its short length and lack of saxophone, which had become a ubiquitous element of The Midnight's sound on previous releases.

''Kids'' garnered the band more commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Album Sales chart, number 12 on the [[wikipedia:Dance/Electronic Albums|Dance/Electronic Albums]] chart, number two on the [[wikipedia:Top Heatseekers|Heatseekers Albums]] chart, and number 13 on the [[wikipedia:Independent Albums|Independent Albums]] chart.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Gordon |date=October 4, 2018 |title=The Midnight, Karel & XoJani and Whethan: Billboard Dance Chart Upstarts {{!}} Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8478337/billboard-dance-chart-upstarts-the-midnight-karel-xojani-whethan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005025924/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8478337/billboard-dance-chart-upstarts-the-midnight-karel-xojani-whethan |archive-date=October 5, 2018 |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=Billboard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Midnight {{!}} Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/The-Midnight/chart-history/ELP |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724232919/https://www.billboard.com/music/The-Midnight/chart-history/ELP |archive-date=July 24, 2021 |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=Billboard}}</ref> ''Kids'' would be the first release in a trilogy series of albums for The Midnight that continued with [[Monsters]] in 2020 and concluded with [[Heroes]] in 2022.

The ''Fall 2018 Tour'' commenced in September and was a major success for The Midnight, with almost every show selling out. The first show took place at the North Coast Music Festival in Chicago, which was the band's first music festival appearance. In October, more North American dates were announced for the [[Spring 2019 Tour]], which would supplement the previously revealed European shows. The tour began in February 2019 and featured The Midnight's first appearances in Europe and Australia. Work began on the next entry in the ''Kids'' trilogy during the tour, and previously teased [[America Online]] was released as a single in May.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 10, 2020 |title=America Online {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/track/america-online-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215140711/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/track/america-online-2 |archive-date=December 15, 2021 |access-date=April 6, 2022 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref> 
[[File:Li-en ubel gefarhlich hamburg 20191027 221755 1.jpg|thumb|Performing during the [[Fall 2019 Tour]]]]
The [[Fall 2019 Tour]] began in August 2019 and saw the band perform 38 shows across North America and Europe. The November 12 show in London was The Midnight's 100th live show.<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/B43GjI7lUhw/</ref><ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/B41DSm6gT13/</ref> The tour was notable for the addition of [[Jupiter Winter|Lelia Broussard]] to the live band as guitar player. She has remained with the touring band ever since and has also contributed to the writing and production of several The Midnight songs. Several new songs were played during the tour, including [[Brooklyn]], [[Seventeen]], and [[Monsters (song)|Monsters]], which were all confirmed to be on the upcoming album. In September, Silk Music released The Midnight's second remix album, [[The Midnight Remixed 02]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2019 |title=The Midnight Remixed 02 {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/the-midnight-remixed-02 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428130840/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/the-midnight-remixed-02 |archive-date=April 28, 2020 |access-date=May 12, 2023 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref> Preceded by the release of three new remix singles, the album was another commercial success for the band and the Silk Music label, peaking at number eight on the [[wikipedia:Dance/Electronic Albums|Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums Chart]].

In March 2020, the world was struck by the COVID-19 pandemic and The Midnight sought to keep fans engaged during stay-at-home orders. A weeklong [[The Midnight Remix Radio|remix competition]] took place during the last week of the month, with stems being made available to download for the songs [[The Comeback Kid]], [[Los Angeles]], [[Explorers]], and [[River of Darkness]] to remix. Over 500 remixes were submitted and the winners were revealed during a livestream on YouTube in April. A new acoustic version of ''The Comeback Kid'' was also released at the end of March, with all proceeds going to support members of the band's tour crew.

In May 2020, the single [[Deep Blue]] was released and [[Monsters]] was revealed as The Midnight's next album. [[Dance With Somebody]] and [[Prom Night]] followed as singles before the album released in July. The album was their first associated with the label Counter Records.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 10, 2020 |title=Monsters {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/monsters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824044131/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/monsters |archive-date=August 24, 2020 |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref> Noted for moving the band's sound in a different direction and expanding its horizons, ''Monsters'' received mostly positive reviews from critics.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crumlish |first=Callum |date=July 10, 2020 |title=The Midnight 'Monsters' album review: L.A. duo deliver most stylish and creative music yet {{!}} Music {{!}} Entertainment {{!}} Express.co.uk |url=https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1307979/the-midnight-monsters-album-review-new-album-band-tyler-lyle-tim-mcewan-outrun-synthwave |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711044851/https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1307979/the-midnight-monsters-album-review-new-album-band-tyler-lyle-tim-mcewan-outrun-synthwave |archive-date=July 11, 2020 |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vehling |first=Aaron |date=July 10, 2020 |title=The Midnight - Monsters - REVIEW • Vehlinggo |url=https://vehlinggo.com/2020/07/10/midnight-monsters-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714032751/https://vehlinggo.com/2020/07/10/midnight-monsters-review/ |archive-date=July 14, 2020 |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Vehlinggo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yopko |first=Nick |date=July 14, 2020 |title=The Midnight Attain Retrowave Greatness on Nostalgic Third Album "Monsters" - EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists |url=https://edm.com/music-releases/the-midnight-monsters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716175835/https://edm.com/music-releases/the-midnight-monsters |archive-date=July 16, 2020 |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=EDM.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Morawitz |first=Owen |date=July 9, 2020 |title=The Midnight's Nostalgic 'Monsters' Is Tailor-Made for Boomboxes Held Overhead {{!}} Exclaim! |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/the_midnight_monsters_album_review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712190739/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/the_midnight_monsters_album_review |archive-date=July 12, 2020 |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Exclaim!}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jewers |first=Sarah |date=July 15, 2020 |title=The Midnight - Monsters Album Review {{!}} FUZZY |url=https://www.fuzzymag.co.uk/post/the-midnight-monsters-review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913173546/https://www.fuzzymag.co.uk/post/the-midnight-monsters-review |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=FUZZY}}</ref> Also obtaining commercial success, the album charted at number 134 on the [[wikipedia:Billboard 200|Billboard 200]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 25, 2020 |title=The Midnight {{!}} Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/The-Midnight/chart-history/TLP |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725005428/https://www.billboard.com/music/The-Midnight/chart-history/TLP |archive-date=July 25, 2021 |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Billboard}}</ref> number 12 on the [[wikipedia:Dance/Electronic Albums|Dance/Electronic Albums]] chart,<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 25, 2020 |title=The Midnight {{!}} Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/The-Midnight/chart-history/ELP |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724232919/https://www.billboard.com/music/The-Midnight/chart-history/ELP |archive-date=July 24, 2021 |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Billboard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Gordon |date=July 23, 2020 |title=The Midnight Debuts, Sofi Tukker & Gorgon City Go Top 10 on Dance/Electronic Charts – Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/the-midnight-sofi-tukker-gorgon-city-dance-electronic-charts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126194158/https://www.billboard.com/pro/the-midnight-sofi-tukker-gorgon-city-dance-electronic-charts/ |archive-date=November 26, 2021 |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Billboard}}</ref> and number 18 on the [[wikipedia:Independent Albums|Independent Albums]] chart.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 25, 2020 |title=The Midnight {{!}} Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-midnight/chart-history/IND |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721153014/https://www.billboard.com/music/the-midnight/chart-history/IND |archive-date=July 21, 2020 |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Billboard}}</ref>

===2020-2021: ''Horror Show'', ''Endless Summer'' anniversary, and return to touring ===
[[File:The midnight online poster.png|left|thumb|300x300px|[[The Midnight Online]] poster]]
Continuing their efforts to maintain fan engagement during the pandemic, The Midnight began an [[Fall 2020 ARG|alternate reality game (ARG)]] in September 2020. Using a mix of digital and real-life clues, fans across the globe united online in an effort to solve mysteries and unlock prizes. In early October, one of the prizes revealed an upcoming online concert, [[The Midnight Online]]. The concert took place at the Libbey Bowl in Ojai, California and was streamed live on October 30, 2020. This concert was notable for the addition of [[Jupiter Winter|Royce Whittaker]] to the live band, who is one half of [[Jupiter Winter]] alongside fellow tour member Lelia Broussard. When The Midnight resumed touring full time in the fall of 2021, Whittaker was made a permanent member of the touring band. 

The ARG concluded with the announcement of [[Horror Show]], The Midnight's second EP. Initially exclusive to Amazon Music, the Halloween-themed EP was released on October 16<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 16, 2020 |title=ｔｈｅ　ｍｉｄｎｉｇｈｔ on Twitter: "－Ｈｏｒｒｏｒ 🎃 Ｓｈｏｗ－ Welcome to The Midnight Horror Show. Our new EP streaming exclusively on @amazonmusic and available for purchase in our store. Let’s get spooky." / Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/TheMidnightLA/status/1317105895508119552 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://themidnight.wiki/archivepages/HorrorShowReleaseTwitter.html |archive-date=May 22, 2023 |access-date=May 22, 2023 |website=Twitter}}</ref> and was noted for having a darker sound reminiscent of ''Nocturnal.'' Four of the six tracks on ''Horror Show'' were co-produced with electronic musician Essenger, and the EP also included a cover of the Patti Smith Group song [[Because The Night]], the band's third collaboration with Nikki Flores. ''Horror Show'' would get a full release to all platforms on March 19, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 19, 2021 |title=Horror Show {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/horror-show |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323102021/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/horror-show |archive-date=March 23, 2021 |access-date=May 22, 2023 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref>[[File:Yvonne Crowley Royale Boston PXL 20220322 022049807.MP~2.jpg|thumb|Performing during the [[Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 Tour]]]]In early 2021, McEwan began streaming the creation of new The Midnight songs on Twitch. One of these songs was [[Cold Pizza]], which released exclusively on YouTube on February 9, 2021. The release was timed to commemorate National Pizza Day and was accompanied by a promotional website for the in-universe restaurant [[Pizza Zone]]. The song was further promoted with the sale of new merchandise featuring the Pizza Zone logo.

The [[The Midnight Remix Radio Vol. 2|second remix competition]] also took place in February 2021. This time, the stems of every song from ''Monsters'' were made available for purchase to remix for the competition. The stems for the song ''Deep Blue'' could be downloaded at no cost. Submissions were open for three weeks, from February 5 to Feburary 26, and were reviewed live on Twitch the following week by McEwan and Lyle. The overall winner was the Droid Bishop Remix of ''Deep Blue'', which was released as a single in September 2021.  

The fifth anniversary of ''Endless Summer'' was celebrated throughout the summer of 2021. On June 24, a 5 Year Anniversary Edition of the album was released that contained two new songs, [[Bend]] and [[Comet]]. While ''Bend'' was previously made available as a download to people who pre-ordered the first vinyl pressing of ''Endless Summer'' in 2016, ''Comet'' had only been heard previously as a small snippet on The Midnight's Facebook page. [[The Rearview Mirror]] was released on July 23, an EP containing five songs from ''Endless Summer'' remade with orchestral arrangements performed by the Magik*Magik Orchestra.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 23, 2021 |title=The Rearview Mirror {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/the-rearview-mirror |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812210910/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/the-rearview-mirror |archive-date=August 12, 2021 |access-date=May 22, 2023 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref>

Shortly after the release of ''Monsters'', dates for a European tour in Spring 2021 were announced. The shows would later be postponed to 2022 in January 2021 due to continuing COVID concerns. In April 2021, the first dates of the [[Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 Tour]] were revealed, which were all in North America. More North American shows were added in June and were scheduled for Spring 2022. It was The Midnight's first tour since the ''Fall 2019 Tour'' and the first since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a desire to increase production value and create a more authentic live show, Royce Whittaker was added as a full-time touring member following his initial appearance in ''The Midnight Online'', and McEwan began performing with a full drum kit. The addition of Whittaker gave The Midnight a five-piece touring band for the first time. All of the European dates except for the UK and Ireland were ultimately canceled in March 2022, with COVID concerns again being the culprit.
===2022-present: The ''Heroes'' era, festival shows, and first live album ===
Work on the next The Midnight record began in earnest in 2021, with McEwan continuing to stream and tease new songs on Twitch. A new song, [[Change Your Heart or Die]], began to be played during the ''Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 Tour'' and was released as a single in April 2022. The single was accompanied by the announcement of the [[Change Your Heart Tour]], which would take place the following fall and spring. A [[2022 ARG|second alternate reality game]] began at the end of May and continued through the beginning of June, concluding with the release of [[Heartbeat]] as a single and the announcement of [[Heroes]] as The Midnight's next album.
[[File:HeroesBillboard.jpg|left|thumb|Billboard in Los Angeles promoting [[Heroes]]|350x350px]]
[[Avalanche]], [[Brooklyn. Friday. Love.]], and [[Heart Worth Breaking]] followed throughout the summer as the next singles from ''Heroes'', which was released on September 9, 2022. Serving as a conclusion to the ''Kids'' trilogy, the album received positive reviews from critics, who commended the band for continuing to explore new genres and compared the sound favorably to the work of musicians such as Giorgio Moroder and Mutt Lange.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vehling |first=Aaron |date=September 8, 2022 |title=The Midnight - Heroes - ALBUM REVIEW • Vehlinggo |url=https://vehlinggo.com/2022/09/08/midnight-heroes-review-vinyl/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529193101/https://vehlinggo.com/2022/09/08/midnight-heroes-review-vinyl/ |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Vehlinggo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1666337/the-midnight-heroes-review-new-album-tim-mcewan-tyler-lyle-synthwave-reach-review|title=The Midnight: Heroes review - Saving music with their best album yet|first=Callum|last=Crumlish|date=September 8, 2022|website=Express.co.uk|access-date=August 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909202529/https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1666337/the-midnight-heroes-review-new-album-tim-mcewan-tyler-lyle-synthwave-reach-review|archive-date=September 9, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/heroes-mw0003798870|title=The Midnight - Heroes Album Reviews, Songs & More &#124; AllMusic|via=www.allmusic.com|access-date=August 28, 2023|website=AllMusic|last=Collar|first=Matt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027151501/https://www.allmusic.com/album/heroes-mw0003798870|archive-date=October 27, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> It appeared on a total of seven ''Billboard'' charts, most notably the ''Billboard'' ''200'' where it peaked at 134.

The ''Change Your Heart Tour'' began in September 2022 and featured the band's first appearance at the ''Austin City Limits'' music festival in October. Streamed live on Hulu, it was The Midnight's most notable festival appearance to date and their first to be streamed online. During the festival, the band was interviewed for the first time by notable American music magazine ''Rolling Stone''. The Midnight capped 2022 with a small DJ set tour, playing four dates in the US with Lyle at the helm.
[[File:Tyler RSD.jpg|thumb|Lyle during a promotional show for [[Red, White and Bruised: The Midnight Live]]]]
In February 2023, The Midnight announced their first live album, [[Red, White and Bruised: The Midnight Live]]. The album was first released exclusively on vinyl in April as part of Record Store Day 2023 and received a full release to all platforms in September. At the end of February, [[Land Locked Heart]] was released as a promotional single from the soundtrack of the video game ''Road 96: Mile 0''. The Midnight embarked on the European leg of the ''Change Your Heart Tour'' in March, the first time since 2019 they performed in Europe outside of the UK and Ireland. 

The [[Fall 2023 North American Tour]] was announced in April 2023. Following two performances at ''Bonnaroo'' in June and a Los Angeles show in July, the tour began in September at the ''Music Midtown'' festival in Atlanta. In October, The Midnight performed in Mexico for the first time since 2019. The band opened for ODESZA on their ''The Last Goodbye Tour'' show in Mexico City followed by an appearance at the ''Live Out'' music festival in Monterrey.

In August 2023, Lyle mentioned in an interview with ''Substream Magazine'' that there is yet to be a timetable for the next The Midnight record, but hinted that some non-music projects are in the works.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hudelson |first=Molly |date=August 21, 2023 |title=INTERVIEW: The Midnight are exploring the electronic and rock band worlds - Substream Magazine |url=https://substreammagazine.com/2023/08/interview-the-midnight-are-exploring-the-electronic-and-rock-band-worlds/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829011910/https://substreammagazine.com/2023/08/interview-the-midnight-are-exploring-the-electronic-and-rock-band-worlds/ |archive-date=August 28, 2023 |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Substream Magazine}}</ref>

== Style and workflow ==

For most of their career, The Midnight has created a strong and distinct [[wikipedia:synthwave|synthwave]] sound in their music - Tim McEwan once described the band's early albums &quot;as if [[wikipedia:Miami Vice|Miami Vice]] had a baby with a [[wikipedia:John Hughes (filmmaker)|John Hughes]] movie.&quot;<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=May 21, 2019 |title=We are The Midnight and we’re playing Electric Forest for the first time. Ask us Anything! : ElectricForest |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricForest/comments/brea4u/we_are_the_midnight_and_were_playing_electric/#CommentTopMeta--Created--t1_eod2qsw |url-status=live |archive-url=https://themidnight.wiki/archivepages/TheMidnightElectricForestAMA.html#CommentTopMeta--Created--t1_eod2qsw |archive-date=May 20, 2023 |access-date=May 20, 2023 |website=Reddit}}</ref> However, McEwan has continuously expressed a desire to evolve the synthwave genre and not be confined by it.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=July 10, 2020 |title=We are The Midnight. Our new album Monsters is out today and we just announced our 2021 Europe and U.K. headline tour. Ask us anything! : electronicmusic |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/electronicmusic/comments/horqzi/we_are_the_midnight_our_new_album_monsters_is_out/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://themidnight.wiki/archivepages/TheMidnightMonstersElectronicMusicAMA.html |archive-date=May 20, 2023 |access-date=May 20, 2023 |website=Reddit}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=July 9, 2020 |title=THE MIDNIGHT: Tim McEwan And Tyler Lyle On Bringing ‘Monsters’ To Life! |url=https://www.iconvsicon.com/2020/07/09/the-midnight-tim-mcewan-and-tyler-lyle-on-bringing-monsters-to-life/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224233722/https://www.iconvsicon.com/2020/07/09/the-midnight-tim-mcewan-and-tyler-lyle-on-bringing-monsters-to-life/ |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |access-date=April 3, 2022 |website=Icon Vision}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 17, 2015 |title=The Midnight - To everybody asking when the new album/EP... {{!}} Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/TheMidnightOfficial/posts/1615738348650978 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://themidnight.wiki/archivepages/TheMidnightGenrePush.html |archive-date=May 20, 2023 |access-date=May 20, 2023 |website=Facebook}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 9, 2015 |title=The Midnight - Synthwave producers out there. Come on, let's move... {{!}} Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/TheMidnightOfficial/posts/pfbid0SvSDR1qQ23uywKwG4WCgcJbmchcWXSKPHcaqs8QBf5L2w9wN44jKeCZLJSASVEsEl |url-status=live |archive-url=https://themidnight.wiki/archivepages/SynthwaveGenreExpand.html |archive-date=June 17, 2023 |access-date=June 17, 2023 |website=Facebook}}</ref> Tyler Lyle has stated several times that the band's philosophy when composing is &quot;combine, not confine.&quot;<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 30, 2019 |title=Retrowave Sessions Ep 2: The Midnight - YouTube |url=https://youtu.be/X9VPeEZKxlY?t=328 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://themidnight.wiki/archivepages/RetrowaveSessionsEp2TheMidnight[X9VPeEZKxlY].webm |archive-date=May 20, 2023 |access-date=May 20, 2023 |website=YouTube}}</ref> Influences of genres such as [[wikipedia:Lo-fi music|lo-fi]], [[wikipedia:soft rock|soft rock]], [[google:Trance|trance]], and [[wikipedia:vaporwave|vaporwave]] can be heard on ''Monsters'',<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3" /> and Lyle's musical background has brought influences of [[wikipedia:indie folk|indie folk]] and [[wikipedia:Americana (music)|Americana]] to the band's sound as well.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yopko |first=Nick |date=August 18, 2020 |title=The Midnight on Seminal Album "Monsters" and the Volcanic Potential of Synthwave Culture [Interview] - EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists |url=https://edm.com/interviews/the-midnight-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928052940/https://edm.com/interviews/the-midnight-interview |archive-date=September 28, 2020 |access-date=May 20, 2023 |website=EDM.com}}</ref> Regarding the merging of their individual talents and styles, Lyle has said:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rifkin |first=Gareth |date=May 21, 2020 |title=The Midnight "rock and roll with synthesizers" on Deep Blue – Student Magazine - Student Pages |url=https://www.studentpages.biz/the-midnight-rock-and-roll-with-synthesizers-on-deep-blue/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612223442/https://www.studentpages.biz/the-midnight-rock-and-roll-with-synthesizers-on-deep-blue/ |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=May 20, 2023 |website=Student Pages}}</ref>
<blockquote>''It’s rock and roll with synthesizers. Tim has a keen ear for production, and I can write songs that fit comfortably within the tradition of 20th century classic pop songwriting. Somewhere in the middle things get interesting.''
</blockquote>

McEwan employs various digital synths in his production, including Serum, Diva, TAL-U-NO-LX, Spire, and Roland Cloud's Jupiter 8 and Juno 106.<ref name=":2" /> In mid-2020, he mentioned that his favorite synth to use at the time was U-He's emulation of [[wikipedia:Prophet-5|Prophet-5]], known as Repro 5.<ref name=":3" /> McEwan has stated that he commonly begins with presets and then tweaks them to his liking.<ref name=":3" /> [[wikipedia:Native Instruments|KONTAKT]] is used for sampling.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/outrun/comments/4a5kpz/the_midnight_ama_for_saturday_12th_of_march_2016/d0xkqvn/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/outrun/comments/89rc79/we_are_the_midnight_ask_us_anything/dwt22f6/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref> In 2020, both Lyle and McEwan started adding more analog equipment to their audio setups.<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CIhET1WlY45/</ref><ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CITz316lq49/</ref><ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CHkFwlhlrOK/</ref><ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CHY7PW2Fx4z/</ref><ref>https://twitter.com/TheMidnightLA/status/1333643661708431361?s=20</ref><ref>https://twitter.com/TheMidnightLA/status/1333867067032838144?s=20</ref><ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CIrja45FWue/</ref><ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CH6xz9eFTDv/</ref><ref>https://twitter.com/TheMidnightLA/status/1327521143931035650?s=20</ref><ref>https://twitter.com/tylerlyle/status/1353388148458479618</ref> In early 2021, McEwan shared that his current home studio consisted of the following equipment:<ref>https://twitter.com/TheMidnightLA/status/1357572298769715200</ref>

* [[wikipedia:Roland Juno-106|Roland Juno-106]]
* Sequential OB-6
* Sequential Prophet 6
* [[wikipedia:Oberheim Matrix synthesizers|Oberheim Matrix-6]]
* [[wikipedia:Yamaha DX7|Yamaha DX7]]
* [[wikipedia:Casio_CZ_synthesizers#CZ-1000|Casio CZ 1000]]
* Dynaudio LYD 8 studio monitors
* Universal Audio Apollo x8
<br />
Both McEwan and Lyle use [[wikipedia:Logic Pro|Logic Pro]] on [[wikipedia:macOS|macOS]] as their primary Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricForest/comments/brea4u/we_are_the_midnight_and_were_playing_electric/eodcug3/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref> [[wikipedia:Universal Audio (company)|Universal Audio]] interfaces are used to capture their sounds, which are then processed using UAD plugins.<ref>https://twitter.com/TheMidnightLA/status/1110041696555798528</ref><ref>https://issuu.com/headlinerhub/docs/headliner_usa_2/28</ref> Using the same utilities makes it easier for them to share session files as a significant amount of their work is done remotely, due to living in different areas of the US.<ref>https://twitter.com/tylerlyle/status/1278435620491333640</ref> However, they will usually get together in the same room a few times during a release's production and will often write and record together while on tour.<ref>https://youtu.be/X9VPeEZKxlY?t=345</ref> A release's sound and overall direction are generally created by the two bouncing ideas off each other - McEwan will send Lyle a rough track or beat, which Lyle will then think of lyrics and a title that would go good with the beat, after which McEwan will further build and produce the track.<ref>https://youtu.be/X9VPeEZKxlY?t=349</ref> McEwan has stated that the production of a typical The Midnight album takes around three to six months, &quot;from the early gestating part to finish.&quot;<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/outrun/comments/89rc79/we_are_the_midnight_ask_us_anything/dwt1mrh/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref>

Synths, drums, and overall production are handled by McEwan, with Lyle providing guitar, lyrics, and vocals. Lyle has stated that he writes on a daily basis,<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/electronicmusic/comments/horqzi/we_are_the_midnight_our_new_album_monsters_is_out/fxjxntw/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref> and many lyrics come from a large number of fragments he keeps stored in [[wikipedia:Evernote|Evernote]].<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/outrun/comments/89rc79/we_are_the_midnight_ask_us_anything/dwt2rvv/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref> During a fan question-and-answer session on Twitter prior to the release of ''Monsters'', he mentioned that he &quot;wrote about 250 songs between 2016-2019&quot; and &quot;20 something of those songs got properly demoed/ realistically considered for Monsters.&quot;<ref>https://twitter.com/tylerlyle/status/1278430811939835910</ref> Regarding his general writing process and how he writes for The Midnight, Lyle has said:<ref>https://twitter.com/tylerlyle/status/1278433997643821062</ref><ref>https://twitter.com/tylerlyle/status/1278433049483632641</ref> 

<blockquote>
''I write The Midnight lyrically (mostly) as the fantasy that I never experienced. I lean a bit utopian sometimes and let the images get grander than I experienced. I was on the debate team. I had a lisp. I was really into Syphon Filter. The fun is in the make believe.<br />
</blockquote> 
<blockquote>
''I write everyday. Some of it goes in The Midnight folder. Some of it goes off into far far away places. It works best when Tim has a cool musical skeleton and I have a cool lyrical skeleton we can smush together and build together.''
</blockquote> 
Most of the remaining instrumentation is digital,<ref>https://issuu.com/headlinerhub/docs/headliner_usa_2/28</ref> but on occasion songs (including most with saxophone and guitar solos) will at first have digital instruments that are then outsourced to other musicians to play live on the track. [[Thomas Edinger]] has been the primary saxophone player for The Midnight's releases, and McEwan's brother [[Oliver McEwan|Oliver]] has frequently played bass for the band as well.

For live performances, various setups have been used by the band. Lyle stated that the [[Spring 2019 Tour]] utilized an [[wikipedia:Ableton Live|Ableton]] rig, with McEwan using an SPD SX sampling pad and MIDI controller.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricForest/comments/brea4u/we_are_the_midnight_and_were_playing_electric/eodcug3/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref> Lyle ran his guitars through a Kemper profiling amp, and he also used an OP1 for certain synth moments and pads. Most shows will also feature live bass, acoustic, and electric guitars, as well as live saxophone. As of the [[Change Your Heart Tour]], the band's touring lineup consists of McEwan on synths and drums, Lyle on guitar and synths, [[Jupiter Winter|Lelia Broussard]] on bass and synths, [[Justin Klunk]] on saxophone and synths, and [[Royce Whittaker]] on guitar and synths. Lyle is the primary vocalist and the others perform backing vocals. Klunk joined the touring lineup for the Spring leg of the [[Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 Tour]], replacing longtime saxophone player [[Jesse Molloy]], who had been with the band since their first live shows in 2017.<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/BWyc6WrhAIl/</ref><ref>https://soundcloud.com/beyond-synth/170-themidnight</ref> Broussard joined the band prior to the start of the [[Fall 2019 Tour]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview with Lelia Broussard |url=https://themidnight.wiki/wiki/Interview_with_Lelia_Broussard |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=May 17, 2023 |website=The Midnight Wiki}}</ref> and Whittaker joined the lineup full-time during the [[Change Your Heart Tour]]. [[Nikki Flores]] occasionally appears at some shows as a vocalist, performing her collaborations with the band in addition to singing vocals on [[Sunset]].

== Members ==
{{See also|List of The Midnight people}}
[[File:MidnightBrixton070522 (28 of 30) (52061108333).jpg|400px|thumb|The Midnight's current touring lineup: Tyler Lyle, Royce Whittaker, Tim McEwan, Lelia Broussard, and Justin Klunk.]]

'''Current members'''
* [[Tim McEwan]] (producer, songwriter, percussion, synths, occasional vocals)
* [[Tyler Lyle]] (songwriter, lead vocals, guitar, occasional synths)

'''Touring members'''
* [[Jupiter Winter|Lelia Broussard]] (vocals, guitar, synths)
* [[Jupiter Winter|Royce Whittaker]] (guitar, synths)
* [[Justin Klunk]] (saxophone, synths)<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 10, 2022 |title=ｔｈｅ　ｍｉｄｎｉｇｈｔ on Twitter: "Everyone say ‘Hi Justin!’ 💜" / Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/TheMidnightLA/status/1502057491902906372 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310230340/https://twitter.com/TheMidnightLA/status/1502057491902906372 |archive-date=March 10, 2022 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |website=Twitter}}</ref>

'''Occasional/past tour members'''
* [[Nikki Flores]] (vocals)
* [[Thomas Edinger]] (saxophone)
* Jacob Scesney (saxophone)
* Alekos “Kosie” Syropoulos (saxophone, synths)<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2018 |title=Alekos “Kosie” Syropoulos on Instagram: “Humbled to be joining @themidnightofficial on this North American run!! These guys are incredible and their music is stellar. Time to melt…” |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BneO9-Cjq0R/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://themidnight.wiki/archivepages/LitoInstagram.html |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |website=Instagram}}</ref>
* Lito Hernandez (saxophone)<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 20, 2019 |title=Lito Hernandez on Instagram: “I had the pleasure to be on the East and West Coast portion of @themidnightofficial world tour, these guys are amazing, play heartwarming…” |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/By8cQjKApec/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://themidnight.wiki/archivepages/LitoInstagram.html |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |website=Instagram}}</ref>
* Chris Kuffner (guitar, synths)<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2022 |title=I’m so excited to announce that I’m hitting the road with @themidnightofficial in a few days!!! I can’t even express how much fun it’s been… {{!}} Chris Kuffner (@chriskuffner) on Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca000gWB7zA/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://themidnight.wiki/archivepages/ChrisKuffnerInstagram.html |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |website=Instagram}}</ref>
* [[Jesse Molloy]] (saxophone, synths)

== Discography ==
{{Main|The Midnight discography|List of songs by The Midnight}}
'''Main releases'''
* [[Days of Thunder]] (2014)
* [[Endless Summer]] (2016)
* [[Nocturnal]] (2017)
* [[Kids]] (2018)
* [[Monsters]] (2020)
* [[Horror Show]] (2020)
* [[Heroes]] (2022)

== Tours and live appearances ==
{{Main|List of The Midnight live performances}}
* [[Turbo Drive: FM-84 & The Midnight]]
* [[Fall 2018 Tour]]
* [[Spring 2019 Tour]]
* [[Fall 2019 Tour]]
* [[The Midnight Online]]
* [[Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 Tour]]
* [[Change Your Heart Tour]]
* [[Fall 2023 North American Tour]]

== References ==
<references />
<noinclude>
[[Category:People]]‎</noinclude>

== External links ==

* [https://www.themidnightofficial.com/ Official website]
* [https://twitter.com/themidnightla Twitter]
* [https://www.instagram.com/themidnightofficial Instagram]
* [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-sM_PLqzgktdUcW2LEKKkQ YouTube]
* [https://facebook.com/TheMidnightOfficial Facebook]
* [https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/ Bandcamp]
* [https://www.tiktok.com/@themidnightofficial/ TikTok]

{{TheMidnight}}