Mike D performs Thank You tour at McMenamins Crystal Ballroom
Mike Diamond, performing as Mike D, returned to the stage at the McMenamins Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon, on October 1, 2026, for a performance featuring his 5D backing band. The tour follows the release of his album Thank You, a project created with the assistance of his sons, Skyler and Davis Diamond, and the 5D ensemble, which includes Eddie Ruscha, Milo Ruscha, and guitarist Will Graefe.
A Family-Centric Return
The return to live performance marks a significant shift for the 60-year-old artist, who had not released new music since 2011’s Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2. Following the 2012 death of Beastie Boys member MCA, the group ceased operations. While other rap groups such as De La Soul, Mobb Deep, and A Tribe Called Quest continued after losing members, the Beastie Boys opted to end their tenure permanently. Mike D’s reemergence began earlier this year with a guest appearance at a concert in Ojai, California, featuring the band Very Nice Person, which is fronted by his sons. This support for his family served as a prelude to the Thank You tour, which brings the veteran emcee back to the road alongside his sons and the 5D collective.
The Portland Performance
The atmosphere at the Crystal Ballroom was characterized by high energy from both the audience and the performers. Attendees, some wearing vintage tour shirts from the Beastie Boys era, gathered to witness a set that leaned into a mildly chaotic
aesthetic. The musical presentation was described as a bass-heavy soup
that occasionally clashed with the performer’s overdriven vocals. Despite a lack of technical cohesion among the musicians, the show focused on a manic energy, with the band members oscillating between DJ gear and string instruments under heavy strobe lighting. Throughout the performance, Mike D maintained a near-constant state of pogoing, mirroring the infectious energy of the surrounding musicians to translate the spirit of his latest album to the stage.
Setlist Blends New Project with Historical Tracks
The setlist bridged the gap between the new project and the performer’s history. The group opened with the Paul’s Boutique track Hello Brooklyn,
before transitioning into Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun.
Later in the set, the audience heard 3-Minute Rule
and the Hello Nasty cut Body Movin’.
These selections marked a rare return to the stage for the artist, who had limited his professional output to occasional remixes and production work in the years leading up to 2026.