Tag: Bowery Presents

Silverstein’s 20 Year Anniversary Tour Stops at Webster Hall
Silverstein brought their 20 Year Anniversary Tour to Webster Hall this week on Wednesday December 8th. A long time in the making, the tour was first announced back in October 2019 before being forced into postponement due to the pandemic. The revamped tour featured some larger venues, more dates, and the band’s longest sets to date. Support for the night came from New Jersey locals Can’t Swim and Ohio’s The Plot In You.

Silverstein at Webster Hall, 12/8/2021. Photo by Buscar Photo

The Plot in You are a classic screamo/hardcore band and were a perfect fit to open this tour with Silverstein. Vocalist Landon Tewers thrived in Webster Hall’s Grand Ballroom and plenty of their merch was seen on fans raging on the dance floor. Photos from their solid 10-song set below.
The Plot In You at Webster Hall, 12/8/2021. Photos by Buscar Photo
Some shows on this 20 Year Anniversary Tour featured full performances of Silverstein’s iconic 2005 LP Discovering The Waterfront. While Webster Hall did not get this full album performance, fans were treated to a nearly two hour, 3-set performance. The first was a career spanning set of greatest hits featuring “Smashed Into Pieces,” the opening track from the band’s debut When Broken Is Easily Fixed. Vocalist Shane Told joked about fans complaining online about the band not playing their favorite songs live right before a lengthy medley featuring “I Am The Arsonist,” “The Artist,” and “Broken Stars.”

Silverstein at Webster Hall, 12/8/2021. Photo by Buscar Photo

The second set was a solo acoustic performance by Shane, featuring renditions of “Replace You” and “Aquamarine.” The rest of the band came out on stage afterwards and performed three straight Discovering The Waterfront tracks to close out the main show, including the band’s big hit “Smile In Your Sleep.” There have been a lot of anniversary tours in recent years but Silverstein took the concept to a much grander scale for these shows. The band has a long catalog full of great albums, but these shows showcased the band at their most creative and engaging.

Silverstein at Webster Hall, 12/8/2021. Photo by Buscar Photo

The tour is nearing it’s end, with a show in Albany tonight, December 11th, at Empire Live and one final show in Toronto on Sunday. Silverstein played both of their brand new singles “Bankrupt” and “It’s Over” at Webster Hall so be on the lookout for the rest of the upcoming album in the near future and check out the video for the latter below.
December 11, 2021
Alex G Closes Out Tour with Two Nights At Webster Hall
Alex Giannascoli, a.k.a. Alex G, closed out his 2021 tour this week with two shows at Webster Hall. The tour served as a second leg of shows in support of the excellent 2019 LP House of Sugar (from Domino Records). With the release of this LP, Alex G also dropped part of his stage name; being formerly known as (Sandy) Alex G. NYS Music caught the last show of the tour on December 7th – scroll down for the full photo gallery below.

Photo By Buscar Photo

Alex G played career spanning sets at Webster Hall over the two shows, hitting tracks off all his past LPs plus a heavy dose of House of Sugar. Both nights opened with the psychedelic and groovy single “Gretel,” a quintessential show opener. Swirling acoustic guitar arpeggios transition into a psychedelic jam with heavy hitting drums perfect for setting the tone for the night.

Both nights also featured surprising covers. On night one fans got a very different version of Trans Siberian Orchestra’s “Christmas Eve Sarajevo” while night two saw a very true to form version of Coldplay’s “Clocks.”

Photo By Buscar Photo

Tuesday night was the finale of the tour, and there is currently only one more show scheduled next year on February 24th at August Hall in San Francisco. Keep an eye out for more shows and possibly new music in the near future from Alex G.
December 10, 2021
Roosevelt Brings The Polydans Tour To Webster Hall
German born singer, DJ, and multi-instrumentalist Roosevelt brought his Polydans Tour to Webster Hall last Wednesday, December 1st. Polydans, Roosevelt’s third LP, was released back in February of this year on Greco-Roman / City Slang Records. The album was previewed with the infectious and groovy lead single, “Feels Right.”

“Feels Right” by Roosevelt. Via YouTube

Roosevelt attracted fans from all over the US and the world to Webster Hall. The group front and center sported fans who traveled from Idaho and LA for the show, while plenty of German and European natives were also in attendance. New York City has always been this way, especially when international artists play here. Now with travel restrictions from Europe easing, more and more people are coming back to New York for the music scene.

Roosevelt at Webster Hall, 12/1/2021. Photo by Buscar Photo

Roosevelt played six songs from Polydans as well as a cover of Stardust’s “Music Sounds Better With You” as part of the encore. While that song is the only one released by Stardust (featuring Thomas Bangalter of Daft Punk), it is a fundamental inspiration for Roosevelt’s sound. Containing groovy guitar riffs and catchy vocals, the sound pure fun in universal way.

Roosevelt at Webster Hall, 12/1/2021. Photo by Buscar Photo

Roosevelt and the Polydans Tour continue on in December with several west coast and Canadian dates. Then the band makes their way back to Europe in March, including six shows in Germany. Check out the full tour schedule HERE and see NYS Music’s photo gallery from Roosevelt’s show at Webster Hall below.
December 6, 2021
Caribou Brings The Club To Brooklyn Steel
Canadian multi-instrumentalist and producer Caribou (a.k.a. Dan Snaith) made his way to New York this past weekend for three shows over two days at Brooklyn Steel. Sandwiched in the middle of a 20-night run of another electro-rock band at the venue, these Caribou concerts were two years in the making. Originally scheduled for March of 2020, the Caribou shows were some of the first to be postponed in the city due to the incoming pandemic. Snaith attested to that after the opening song, admitting to the crowd how weird it felt finally being able to play a gig planned so long ago.

Caribou at Brooklyn Steel, 11/27/21. Photo by Buscar Photo

The concert calendar right now is a very strange mix. The entire live music industry came to a halt for a year and a half; postponing or cancelling shows throughout 2020 and 2021, many of which have been rescheduled and are now in progress. On top of that, there is a backlog of tours that were being planned at the time of the pandemic, and are just now trying to be scheduled for the first time. Tickets are being sold for shows more than a year in advance. Some of these artists have released albums two years ago and are now getting their first opportunity to perform the music live. This is the case with Caribou and his fifth LP under the moniker, Suddenly. The record was released back in February 2020 on Merge Records.

“Never Come Back” off Caribou’s LP Suddenly. Via YouTube.

Caribou’s music is a bright blend of electro-house elements and indie rock. The songs are stretched out on the live stage into deep jams with distinct movements and very high energy, techno-style percussions. A heavy strobe style lighting arrangement gives off a club type atmosphere ripe for the dance floor. The concerts took place this past Saturday and Sunday, with a matinee performance Sunday afternoon before a second show later that night.

Dan Snaith (a.k.a. Caribou) at Brooklyn Steel, 11/27/21. Photo by Buscar Photo

This leg of the tour is nearing its end; Caribou plays three more shows in the Northeast leading up to a set at Mexico’s TrÃ³pical Festival the first weekend of December. A lengthy second leg of the tour kicks off in February and takes Caribou across the UK and Europe with some west coast and Canadian dates mixed in. Find the full tour schedule HERE. Check out NYS Music’s photos from the first show on Saturday night below.
November 30, 2021
Chvrches Return to New York For Two Sold Out Shows at Terminal 5
Scottish synth-pop trio Chvrches returned to New York this weekend with two sold out shows at Manhattan’s Terminal 5. The band is in the midst of a North American tour in support of Screen Violence, their fourth LP and first on Glassnote records. NYS Music was there to catch the first night on Friday, November 26th.

Lauren Mayberry of Chvrches at Terminal 5, 11/26/21 – Photo by Buscar Photo

One week before Chvrches’ opening night at Terminal 5, the band announced that multi-instrumentalist Iain Cook tested positive for COVID-19. Instead of postponing any shows, the band was poised to have touring and studio tech Dave Simpson as well as Lo Moon guitarist Sam Stewart step in and fill Iain’s shoes for the shows in Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburg and Columbus. Iain was able to make his comeback to Chvrches for the New York shows, receiving copious “We Miss You Iain!” chants from the crowd throughout the night.

Screen Violence single “How Not To Drown,” featured The Cure’s Robert Smith. Via YouTube

Screen Violence was released back in August but the band recently issued the expanded Screen Violence: Director’s Cut last month featuring three bonus tracks. The tour continues with a handful of east coast dates before heading west, including a show at Las Vegas’ Brooklyn Bowl on December 11th. The tour concludes a week later with a final show at the Hollywood Palladium.
November 29, 2021
Listen to Chvrches’ ‘Screen Violence: Director’s Cut’ Ahead Of Terminal 5 Run

Glasgow based synth-pop vets Chvrches are currently in the midst of a tour which takes them to NYC this weekend for two shows at Terminal 5. The tour is in support of the band’s fourth LP, Screen Violence, released back in August on Glassnote Records. Since the record was released, Chvrches have also released an expanded “director’s cut” version featuring three bonus tracks.

Screen Violence: Director’s Cut Album Art

Screen Violence was recorded almost entirely remote between Los Angeles and Glasgow, Scotland. The term “screen violence” itself was originally an early candidate for the band’s name, but was revived for the title of the new album as it was fitting given the transition of our normal lives into digital screens. The album touches on motifs of loneliness, disillusionment, and fear as a result of being isolated during the global pandemic. Vocalist Lauren Mayberry describes the recording process:

I think for me it was helpful to go into the process with the idea that I could write something escapist almost. That felt freeing initially, to have concepts and stories to weave your own feelings and experiences through but in the end, all the lyrics were definitely still personal.

Multi-instrumentalist Martin Doherty adds:

To me, the screen aspect was a bit more literal. When we were making the record, it was like half of our lives were lived through screens. What began as a concept was now a lifeline.

Chvrches have released four albums over the last decade, and have crafted a visually stunning live show over the years. Boasting a new stage production on this tour, Chvrches is poised to awe fans at Terminal 5 this weekend. A small number of tickets for night one this Friday, November 26th are still available, while the second night on Saturday is sold out. Stay tuned for our review of the show plus a full photo gallery.

Chvrches at Governor’s Ball, 2018. Photo by Steve Malinski

November 22, 2021
The Flaming Lips Battle The Pink Robots at Brooklyn Steel
The Flaming Lips returned to Brooklyn last night for the first of two shows at Bushwick’s Brooklyn Steel. Only the second stop on a world tour, the band returns to the live stage following the pandemic with dates across the US, Canada and the UK into next summer. Special guest and Flaming Lips collaborator Particle Kid provided opening support, featuring a guest appearance by Sean Ono Lennon.

The Flaming Lips at Brooklyn Steel, 11/8/21. Photo by Buscar Photo

The tragedy of the Astroworld festival last week has not only shocked so many people, but has also changed the mindset of performers and venues alike. Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne began the show with a long speech on the topic, urging fans to look out for everyone around them, promising that they would stop the show in the event someone needed help. He addressed the desire of so many to let their emotions run loose at shows, and he reminded us all that we can still “go crazy” in a good and positive way. This motif continued through the show, with breaks between songs and bright house lights to make sure everyone was safe.

The Flaming Lips at Brooklyn Steel, 11/8/21. Photo by Buscar Photo

The Flaming Lips released their debut record Here It Is in 1986, and have cultivated an extensive discography ever since. Back in 2020, the band released their sixteenth studio album, American Head via Warner Records. For Record Store Day 2021, the band released The Soft Bulletin Companion on vinyl for the first time ever. The rare recordings are B-sides and early mixes that accompany the band’s early breakthrough record The Soft Bulletin.

The Flaming Lips at Brooklyn Steel, 11/8/21. Photo by Buscar Photo

One surprise nugget for the evening was the live debut of deep cut “Assassination of the Sun” off the band’s 2003 EP Ego Tripping At The Gates Of Hell. Afterwards, Wayne addressed the crowd, telling them about his ecstasy seeing a room full of fans enjoy a song they’ve never heard played live. Other essential tracks played included the epic “Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, Pt. 1,” “Do You Realize??,” and “She Don’t Use Jelly.”

The Flaming Lips at Brooklyn Steel, 11/8/21. Photo by Buscar Photo

The tour continues with another show tonight at Brooklyn Steel, plus two more New York shows. They’ll be playing on November 12th in Syracuse at Crouse-Hinds Concert Theater, and then in Albany on November 13th at The Palace Theatre. Check out the full run of dates on Song Kick and see our Brooklyn Steel night 1 photo gallery below. Wayne Coyne also has his own cannabis brand, Love Yer Brain, available now.
November 9, 2021
Jukebox The Ghost Celebrate HalloQueen at Brooklyn Steel
Jukebox The Ghost brought their HalloQueen special to Bushwick’s Brooklyn Steel on Saturday October 30, 2021 for the bands largest headlining show to date. The show featured a Halloween costume competition, musical standup comedy, a full Jukebox The Ghost set, as well as a full set of 14 Queen cover songs. Jukebox has been around since the college indie boom of the mid 2000s, but vocalist Ben Thornewill thanked the crowd multiple times for making it the bands biggest show of their career.

Jukebox The Ghost at Brooklyn Steel, 10/30/2021. Photo by BuscarPhoto

Opening the show was former SNL cast member Luke Null, who delivered a set of musical stand up comedy dressed as a French Mime, complete with Gene Simmons face paint. Strapped with an acoustic guitar, Null engaged with the crowd while singing and telling mildly inappropriate short stories. He made another appearance after Jukebox’s main set to officiate the costume competition. Members of the band’s crew handed out vouchers to the best dressed fans around the venue, allowing them on stage during the set break. Crowd reaction was the metric for the competition, who settled on the Jurassic Park themed Nedry and dinosaur costume as the winner.

Luke Null, officiating the costume competition. Photo by BuscarPhoto

Jukebox The Ghost took the stage again after the costume competition, all dressed as members of the band Queen. The HalloQueen celebration commenced, and would continue for a 14 song set of Queen cover songs, all performed superbly true to form. Thornewill fully embraced the role of Freddie Mercury, mimicking the body language and posture perfectly, and there was even an handkerchief hanging from the neck of Brian May’s guitar. The crowd fully embraced the moment, belting out a rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody” which culminated in an epic balloon drop.

Jukebox The Ghost at Brooklyn Steel, 10/30/2021. Photo by BuscarPhoto

The show at Brooklyn Steel was the last on the tour for Jukebox The Ghost, who have no more dates scheduled at the moment. The band played their latest single “Cheers!” as well as one other new song, so be on the lookout for new music in the future.
November 2, 2021
Yves Tumor Plays Two Sold-Out Shows At Webster Hall
Yves Tumor and It’s Band performed in New York City this past week for two sold-out shows at Webster Hall. Fresh off the heels of a new EP, The Asymptotical World, the band brought along 4 openers for both shows, presenting musical styles ranging from industrial techno to future pop. Opening artists included the enigmatic future-pop star ECCO2K, industrial and deep house duos Deli Girls and Club Eat and experimental electronic artist, No Bra.

Yves Tumor at Webster Hall, 10/28/2021. Photo by BuscarPhoto

Yves Tumor debuted in 2015 with the highly experimental and self-released album, When Man Fails You. The record is a kaleidoscopic journey through different passages of distorted, ambient electronics and bits of futuristic pop. The sophomore release, Serpent Music, saw Yves Tumor starting to mix in soul and Motown elements into the distorted haze of electronic elements. This style became a launching point for the band’s two major label releases on Warp Records: the breakthrough, Safe In The Hands of Love, in 2018 followed by, Heaven To A Tortured Mind in 2020.

Yves Tumor at Webster Hall, 10/28/2021. Photo by BuscarPhoto

Apart from the varying musical styles, The setup for the performance was also one-of-a-kind. The drummer and keyboardist were on very high elevated platforms in the back corners of the stage, situated right in line with the house lights in the rafters, creating interesting shadowy silhouettes that stood out within the light. Yves Tumor, along with guitarist Chris Greatti graced the front of the stage, as their energy and engagement with the fans remain unmatched. Venue personnel also added several platforms within the security pit, allowing Tumor and Greatti to maneuver in and out of the crowd, since Tumor spent a portion of each song singing along with the crowd, rather than singing to them from the stage. At one point, Greatti even made his way to the VIP balcony and played a guitar solo while hanging over the railing.

Yves Tumor at Webster Hall, 10/28/2021. Photo by BuscarPhoto

The setlist for both nights were similar, but featured essential tracks “Kerosene!” and “Dream Palette” from Heaven To A Tortured Mind, “Noid” and “Licking an Orchid” from Safe In The Hands Of Love, and “Jackie” and “Crushed Velvet” from the recent EP The Asymptotical World.

Yves Tumor at Webster Hall, 10/28/2021. Photo by BuscarPhoto

Yves Tumor will continue touring, with west coast dates scheduled throughout November and a European leg kicking off in February. This live show is not to be missed; with well written albums, intoxicating music and dedicated performers, as the band feeds off of the crowd’s energy.
October 31, 2021
Black Midi Bring The Cavalcade Through Webster Hall
The London-bred experimental rock band Black Midi came through Webster Hall on Tuesday night in support of their excellent 2021 LP Cavalcade. The show was their first stop in the city, one night before playing the smaller, niche performance space Pioneer Works in Brooklyn. The band last played in New York back in July of 2019 with a headlining show at Bowery Ballroom. That show was fresh off the heels of their breakout debut LP Schlagenheim.

Black Midi at Webster Hall, 10/19/21. Photo by BuscarPhoto

As the lights went down inside Webster Hall, Black Midi was introduced over the PA as if we were about to witness an old school boxing match. The band took the stage as Sinatra’s always tasteful “New York, New York” played over the speakers. The song would not only be an intro, but the band would recall the chorus of the song several times during the first couple songs of the show.

Black Midi at Webster Hall, 10/19/21. Photo by BuscarPhoto

Black Midi have two studio LPs under their belt (via Rough Trade) and both feature free jazz, math rock, punk and indie all blended together in an experimental guise. The records go through various movements with long, psychedelic passages surrounded by ferocious bits of jazzy punk rock. Even though the music is chaotic and noisy on the surface, it all comes together in a cohesive and well performed live show. Songs from both records were seamlessly stitched together with jams and improvs blending one into the other.

Black Midi at Webster Hall, 10/19/21. Photo by BuscarPhoto

Black Midi have a lengthy tour schedule ahead. The US shows continue until the end of October, with another US leg happening in March and April 2022. In between, the band tour the UK and Europe throughout November and December. Check out the full list of tour dates HERE and the setlist from the Webster Hall show is below.

Setlist: 953, Speedway, Welcome To Hell, Dethroned, Sugar/Tzu, The Defence, Hogwash and Balderdash, Still, Flamenco, Lumps, Chondro, John L, 27 Questions, Slow
October 21, 2021