In what has to be the most elaborate stage setup I’ve ever seen executed in New York with a venue NOT named Madison Square Garden, The Joy Formidable took the stage at Webster Hall Friday evening, complete with antique furniture, a full-length mirror, candlelight, 15 life-sized plastic cats and a gong.

Yes, a real gong.

But more on that later.

The Joy Formidable followed an impressive, if not somewhat bland performance by The Lonely Forest, during which the Welsh trio occasionally peeked from their second floor dressing room windows to size up the crowd.

Some people had seen as many as four or five shows throughout their run in the U.S. Friday marked the band’s last day, before heading overseas to play a slew of festivals and support the phenomenal Manic Street Preachers, who also kicked ass playing Webster Hall within the last year.

The Joy Formidable pack quite a punch for a three-piece outfit. Barreling through songs like “Buoy,” “I don’t want to see you like,” possible song of the year contender “Whirring,” and closing their set with “A heavy abacus,” the band left it all on stage, with lead Ritzy Bryan tossing her guitar into the gong during an explosive jam session to “Whirring.” The same session, by which, drummer Matt Thomas absolutely decimated a massive inflated cat on stage.

I didn’t know what to expect at my first Joy Formidable show, but they have sold me on the extent of their talent, sound and passion. They are a gracious and humble band, with a startling array of songs of equal parts toe-tap and sing-along and a frontwoman who is absolutely captivating.

The tour may have ended in the U.S., but they will be back, and if you didn’t catch them this time around, look out and make it a point.