The Strokes are an alternative rock band from New York City, often credited with influencing the revival of 1960s-style rock in the early 21st century. The band was formed in 1998 and was arranged by singer Julian Casablancas, guitarists Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr., bassist Nikolai Fraiture, and drummer Fabrizio Moretti.
How The Strokes became “The Strokes“
Eventually, after playing in clubs throughout New York’s Lower East side, the Stokes revival began to make a name for themselves. For instance, The Strokes sold out shows such as The Capitol Theater. But why are the Strokes called The Strokes in the first place?
The band’s bassist, Nikolai, revealed to NME, “We had a running joke that every time we met up, we had to have a certain number of names. Some were horrible. One day Julian said, ‘How about The Strokes?’ And it was the one name we all didn’t disagree on.”
Although The Strokes were becoming very popular in NYC, Albert Hammond Jr is the most business-like out of the band’s members. In the early days, he booked shows and harassed record executives claiming to be the band’s manager, and using the fictitious name, Paul Spencer.
The Strokes Influenced Many Popular Artists Today
While Tom Petty, The Ramones, Blondie, and Television have had a heavy influence on their early sound, The Stroke’s music has inspired numerous artists and created a distinct 2000s alternative sound.
Bands such as The Killers, Artic Monkeys, The Kooks, MGMT, and more became inspired by their sound and broadened the alternative genre. Along with the White Stripes and Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Strokes revival helped shape the sound and look of alternative rock in the 2000s.
“Is This It” and It’s Aesthetic
In the 2000s, The Strokes’ unique sound sparked a revival of alternative rock within New York City. Primarily, their recording of “This Is It” has influenced younger teens to have a “late 90s grunge aesthetic.”
Along with this, frontman Julian Casablancas embodied this look. The aesthetic consisted of using the social media staple Tumblr, worn leather jackets, tattered denim, and cigarettes.
The Breakup of The Strokes
The Strokes were big throughout the early 2000s, but over time began to lose their spotlight. The band members began to lose their harmony and took a break from performing together, some took their own ways and started other projects.
After some time apart, the band came back together and released their newest album “The New Abnormal” which has been a huge hit with all the millennials.
The era of “The New Abnormal” and its Fame
The Strokes’ newest album, “The New Abnormal,” is a huge hit today. For instance, the song “The Adults Are Talking” is currently trending on social media like TikTok, inspiring kids across the new generation. The album was released on April 10th, 2020, and is their first album in seven years. It’s not every day that a band can come back strong, but using their signature sound and melodies, they have become popularized once again.
On Sept. 21, the new variety theater Midnight Theatre will open its doors for the first time. Situated in midtown Manhattan, the performance venue will offer a great setting for music, magic, theater, and performance art.
Photo Credit: Brett Beyer Photography
Creative Director Warren Adcock conceptualized the 160-seat theater which will also be the first home for Mastercard’s innovative multisensory studio. The Midnight Theatre also includes a permanently installed 270-degree projection system that can digitally alter the appearance of the space to transport audiences anywhere. With animated environments that can react to the beat of a song, versatile audio-visual systems, and full live-stream capabilities, the venue is high-tech for the best entertainment.
In addition to the engaging offerings as an entertainment space, Midnight Theatre is home to the pan-Asian restaurant and bar, Hidden Leaf. The latest restaurant from Josh Cohen opened in July. The Midnight Cafe is also open bringing customers crafted cocktails with a high-energy, 70’s Italian disco soundtrack.
Photo Credit: Jason Greenspan
The venue will host shows of magic, music, and comedy in early Sept. as a sneak peek at what is to come in the fall and winter seasons. As part of the future lineup, a signature show, A Brief History of Magic, is set to premiere.
With the theater opening, this completes the dream of creating the ideal New York night out all under one roof. There’s been such a positive response to the opening of Hidden Leaf, and it’s been rewarding to see guests come enjoy the dining and cocktails that we have to offer. We are beyond excited to extend their experience inside the walls of the tech-enhanced Midnight Theatre with intimate, one-of-a-kind storytelling across magic, music, comedy and much more.
– Creative Director Warren Adcock
Photo Credit: Brett Beyer Photography
Stay tuned for when this next-level entertainment venue opens on Sept. 21. For more information, visit the Midnight Theatre’s website.
Northeast, Ohio natives, The Vindys, continue on their upwards trajectory with a Stage 3 performance at New York City’s Rockwood Music Hall on Monday, August 22. Having recently performed on the West Coast for the very first time, the band is brimming with confidence.
“We are so excited to be returning to New York City for the fourth time,” says the band.
The Vindys West Coast expedition saw them play a series of shows with a full band plus a horn section (trumpet, saxophone, trombone) in Oceanside, L.A., San Francisco and Carson City, where they performed in front of well over 3,000 people.
The Vindys have been touring the West Coast.
The Ohio natives are led by singer-songwriter and guitarist, Jackie Popovec, while John Anthony serves as lead guitarist, with Rick Deak on rhythm guitar. All are classically trained musicians who combine their skills, Popovec as the primary songwriter, while collaborating on musical arrangements, resulting in an in-depth and intricate sound that is mature, yet relatable.
The Vindys Rockwood Music Hall performance comes as they continue to tour off their latest album, Bugs, which has garnered rave reviews. They released a series of singles ahead of their album including the title track “Bugs,” with its mesmerizing and throbbing beat, mixed by Ryan West. Other tracks include the tempting groove “Want Your Heart,” the sweltering ballad “Morning Light,” and the anthemic “Are You Ready.
Northeast, Ohio radio station WKSU called the album “a 10-track rock ‘n’ roll triumph that fuses the group’s vintage jazz aesthetic with a more straightforward blues-rock sound.”
Brad Savage, program director of The Summit 91.3 FM (OH), explains, “They’ve got depth and substance and are instantly likable. Their songs get stuck in your head after one listen.”
Rockwood Music Hall has been such a wonderful place to play. The energy that the club brings every time is so amazing!
The 7 p.m. performance will see The Vindys share the stage with singer-songwriter, Claire Vandiver. Tickets for the performance can be found here.
The legendary alt-rock act Ween has announced two upcoming shows at New York City’s Beacon Theatre, including one on Halloween. The band is set to play four shows in the Northeast at the end of October and early November with the first two at Boston’s Roadrunner and shows on Halloween and November 1 at the Beacon.
The New Hope rockers have certainly been keeping busy lately, with recent shows in the Pacific Northwest and others lined up in the Southeast for mid-September. And Ween was also featured in the recent South Park 25th Anniversary Special, sharing the stage with Les Claypool as well as Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, the remaining members of Rush.
Tickets for the two-show Ween run at The Beacon go on sale Friday, August 19 at 10am through Ticketmaster and there is also a pre-sale registration that goes into effect Thursday, August 18 at 10am as well.
WEEN – 2022 TOUR DATES September 15 – Rabbit Rabbit – Asheville, NC September 16 – The Eastern – Atlanta, GA September 17 – The Eastern – Atlanta, GA October 28 – Roadrunner – Boston, MA October 29 – Roadrunner – Boston, MA October 31 – Beacon Theatre – New York, NY November 1 – Beacon Theatre – New York, NY
NYC-based LGBTQ dance-pop artist J-LINE is dropping his instantly catchy new dance pop hit “If I Don’t Have You” on August 19. The song is an upbeat yet lyrically haunting track about letting go of an ex, right before the end of the summer. Thus, allowing listeners to dance out their own feelings of loss and loneliness
Using elements of 80’s synth-pop and modern dance music, the track “If I Don’t Have You” brilliantly captures that post-breakup feeling without falling into despair. Because of it’s upbeat tempo and memorable lines like, “I sit and wait for you at a table set for two” and “I know I sound desperate but I’m crazy and I can’t forget about you.”
J-LINE has described his newest hit as “seeing your ex as an ethereal being/ghost that haunts you every minute of your life. As you walk downtown, as you sleep, when you feel the summer breeze on your face. Every second brings back a memory until you get to such a fragile emotional space you’re someone who’s ‘haunted’. It’s about that desperate attempt to reconcile, ignore all the issues in the relationship and plead with your ex to ‘come back’ to you.”
– J-LINE
J-LINE has gathered over 1 million streams, 2 million youtube views and fans all over the globe with his unique sound. Using a synth electro-pop sound that mirrors the brightness of the late 80’s/early 90s, J-LINE makes the underground music scene feel alive again with an electrifying-80’s twist. “If I Don’t Have You” captures the best of what J-LINE offers, emotionally complex dance music from a queer perspective mixed with a retro yet modern twist.
J-LINE will continue to release more music throughout 2022, as well as dazzle crowds with his live show. More recently, including a recent breakout performance to a crowd of well-over 5000 people at the first-ever Montclair Pride.
Currently, J-LINE is touring with his “Dirty pop party” concert, where he performs alongside LGBTQ artists (including Myylo, Peppermint, and Dillon Burnside) in major US cities, highlighting what the diverse future of music looks and sounds like. His live set is an energetic blend of choreography, vocals and music that leave audiences electrified.
To listen to “If I Don’t Have You,” click the link here.
On Aug. 8th Rage Against the Machine (RATM) played the first of five, sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden (MSG). This was the 15th stop of their “public service announcement” tour. The reunion tour has 51 shows throughout 12 countries and 40 different cities. They were accompanied by Run The Jewels (RTJ). RTJ is a hip hop duo consisting of Brooklyn based rapper/producer El-P and Atlanta based rapper Killer Mike.
Originally announced in 2019, and postponed several times due to the COVID pandemic, this tour marked the band’s first time playing together in 11 years. New Yorkers were clearly excited for their return as all five nights are sold out. The bands politically charged messages throughout their songs feel as relevant today as they did when they were first released decades ago. The energy in the arena was through the roof. Although frontman Zack de la Rocha had to perform the show sitting down due to a leg injury he sustained on the second stop of this tour, his passion and excitement were on full display.
Also outspoken about their political views, Run the Jewels is a perfect match as an opening act for RATM. They opened the show with “Call Ticketron” which appropriately has an opening verse of “run the jewels live at the garden”. They made sure to let us know they’ve been waiting years for that moment, and it set the tone for an explosive set. The chemistry between Killer Mike and EL-P on stage is incredible to see live.
Rage Against The Machine – Madison Square Garden – Aug. 8, 2022 Bombtrack, People of the Sun, Bulls on Parade, Bullet in the head, Revolver (intro only), Testify, Take The Power Back, Wake Up, Guerilla Radio, Down Rodeo, Know Your Enemy, Calm Like a Bomb > Sleep Now in The Fire, Born of a Broken Man, War Within a Breath, The Ghost of Tom Joad (Bruce Springsteen cover), Freedom > Township Rebellion > Killing in the Name
Run The Jewels – Madison Square Garden – Aug. 8, 2022 Call Ticketron, Yankee and the Brave (ep.4), Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck), Ooh La La (with Greg Nice), Blockbuster Night Part 1, Oh My Darling Don’t Cry, Legend Has it, Stay Gold > Don’t Get Captured, Ju$t, Walking in the Snow, A Few Words for the Firing Squad (Radiation)
On Thursday, August 4, an electric and explosive night to remember, ROT$ Worldwide, Inc. hosted their very own INTERN$ 22 RAGER underground artist showcase in Manhattan. These individuals, all relatively young, received the opportunity to present their artistry to one of the most musically creative and diverse cities in the world.
Photo Credit: Courtney Griffin
According to Tiffany Swiney, Cofounder of ROT$ Worldwide, Inc., a communications agency with a focus on creative thinking free from socio-economic barriers, the company’s five summer interns brainstormed on a collective project, which in the end became the INTERN$ 22 RAGER event. Their challenge was to fulfill the behind-the-scenes tasks in preparation for the showcase. More specifically, the given instructions were to find a venue and several underground upcoming artists. After intense research, the location chosen was 404 Broadway New York, NY and those selected to perform were Arson, INDiGO, NuuDetta!, Fasquiat, Tenahoni, Hendo, Ka$hKenni, Vas, SANDWCH BOI, Daytona Levell, and Slick2x, along with a few others who were guests on different sets.
ROT$ is all about bringing young NYC creatives together in a safe space to sharpen their skills. It was so great to see everyone working together to hype the performers, get their content in, network, and to just be free.
Tiffany Swiney
Arson, one of the performers of the night and the show’s MC, shed light on how the theme came to be. What worked best for everyone was “nightclub rager,” a show with music to last a lifetime. According to Arson, the main genres of the night were rap, emo, trap, and alternative. The intention of this event was to show the diversity of and bring back the great energy from the NYC underground artist scene. After three weeks of preparation for the show, each performer developed an unwavering supportive family bond with one another.
Photo Credit: Courtney Griffin
Although this was Arson’s first opportunity as an MC, the sky was the limit, as she so effortlessly captivated the crowd with her magnetic energy. Her brand began in a middle school parent-teacher conference, in which she was told she has a fire in her. The name Arson began to encapsulate who she is, as she grew up more secure and self-confident. Regardless of Thursday being her second musical performance, her fiery stage presence left her audience in awe.
Photo Credit: Courtney Griffin
I’m in love with who I was because she bled and fought for me today. I try to inspire as many people as I can and lend a warm safe space for people wherever I go. I have high energy, a fire burning bright in my soul and I feel like it comes out in my music. I will always be Elizabeth, but I’m also Arson.
Arson
Similarly to Arson, melodic, trap, and plugg rapper Ka$hKenni discovered their name as a result of their past. Since they were younger, their luck of finding random amounts of cash has yet to cease. Considering Ka$hKenni is perceived to be high class as well, they thought money should be incorporated into their rap name, with the meaning of luck and good fortune.
Ka$hKenni has been creating music for almost two years now, with her first performance at the INTERN$ 22 RAGER event. Ka$hKenni’s favorite song to perform on Thursday was “Find Me,” because of how suspenseful and intriguing the buildup of the 808s are. Nonetheless, it holds a special place in their heart because it was produced with their brother. After discovering the beat for the song, Ka$hKenni was not too fond of it at first, but their brother encouraged them to record to it, in case of a change of heart.
Photo Credit: Courtney Griffin
I didn’t know what kind of flow I wanted to have over the track, and I was stuck. I started thinking more and writing and that’s when I got the hang of it. It reminds me of something old Chief Keef would hop on and that inspired me to keep writing. I wanted the chorus to be very simple and I wanted to sing a little and that’s exactly what I did. We made that song in less than 30 minutes. The next day we played it on the speaker, and we honestly were shocked. I couldn’t believe I could make something like that. I played it for my friends and my brother played it for his and they couldn’t believe we made such a hit.
Ka$hKenni
Sometimes people have to step outside of their comfort zone to reach a new level in their life, and Ka$hKenni is a prime example of this. Ultimately, they want to be remembered as the one who never gave up.
Although the last to showcase their music, Slick2x’s artistry was nothing less than emotional, powerful, and moving. He said music means everything to him, which was undoubtedly noticeable. His performance is yet another step in the right direction, towards success and fulfilling the promise he made to his brother to always follow his dreams three days before his passing.
Photo credit: Courtney Griffin
Every artist has a different journey and personal motivation for fulfilling their music dreams. For Daytona Levell, developing as an artist was a challenge. Nonetheless, nothing deterred him from moving forward and pushing himself against all odds, even 100 to 1.
Photo Credit: Courtney Griffin
I have had a tough journey and at one point did not know what my image and brand should be. However, I decided to do what I love, and it came natural to me.
Daytona Levell
Artist, actor, and creative visionary SANDWCH BOI, chose his name as a joke in high school, during a rap battle and held onto it ever since. His artistry and persona differ exponentially from the average person, which is why his rap name falls under the same concept.
Even though Thursday night was SANDWCH BOI’s first time performing his own music, he’s been grasping his audience since 10-years-old, as an actor within the theater community. Therefore, his self-confidence only grew as the INTERN$ 22 RAGER event neared, especially with the support of his brother and friends, of whom the majority are fellow creatives.
Photo Credit: Courtney Griffin
I had time to watch my friends grow in their craft and when it was my time to shine, they were nothing but supportive. We were just feeding off of each other’s energy it was amazing.
SANDWCH BOI
Out of SANDWCH BOI’s discography, “Saturn” was his favorite to perform at the showcase because of its amped up energy that gets the crowd jumping. Interestingly enough, “Saturn” is a freestyle that was made in just one take, a skill that usually takes years to master, because of how raw it is.
Photo Credit: Courtney Griffin
Considering how his performance created a shift in the night, with multiple mosh pits, everyone’s full attention and endless smiles to go around the room, SANDWCH BOI’s wish to have people “remember seeing this dude in an orange mask going crazy and turning the whole spot up” will undeniably be granted.
INTERN$ 22 RAGER will forever be a night of great nostalgia and euphoria for everyone in attendance, especially for the performers. This was an unforgettable learning experience for the artists involved and will help each one of them grow not only within their craft, but with their audience as well. August 4th, 2022 will forever be a raging night full of immeasurable vibes and timeless music.
Dan Snaith, a.k.a. Caribou, returned to New York City on Thursday, July 28th for a show at City Parks Foundation SummerStage in Central Park. The show was free, and drew a capacity crowd on a hot and sweaty night in the city. The night filled out with DJ sets from Toribio as well as a performance from experimental electronic artist Ela Minus. Check out the full photo gallery below from Caribou’s set.
Caribou, Central Park SummerStage, 7/28/22. Photo by Joseph Buscarello
Caribou was in NYC last November for a three show run at Brooklyn Steel; those shows being rescheduled from an earlier COVID-induced postponement. For these shows, Caribou is joined by three band members who relentlessly flush out Caribou’s live sound. Dan joins in as a second drummer for various songs, including the lengthy jam during fan-favorite song “Sun”, creating a dense layer of percussions behind the electronic elements.
Caribou, Central Park SummerStage, 7/28/22. Photo by Joseph Buscarello
Caribou’s tour continues through August and September with shows across Europe before returning to California at the end of September, including a show at The Hollywood Bowl in support of Jamie XX. The lengthy tour schedule over the past ten months has all been in support of Caribou’s excellent fifth LP Suddenly; released back in 2020 on Merge Records. The album sees Caribou at his most proficient, especially in the live presentation. Head over to their website to see the full tour details.
Following the release of her latest full-length studio album, “Laurel Hell,” beloved indie musician Mitski returned to New York City the weekend of July 22, 2022 for two sold out nights at Radio City Music Hall. Originally scheduled for March, these and a few other tour dates were postponed due to COVID. Canadian indie folk band the Weather Station opened for Mitski both nights at Radio City.
Mitski performs at Radio City Music Hall, Photography by David Reichmann
The Weather Station mentioned “This show is by far the biggest venue we’ve ever played,” and thanked Mitski for bringing them along. Their signature soothing tones and melodies rang through the historic Manhattan hall. The crowd ate it up, anticipation for Mitski’s set rising as the energy in the room increased by the minute.
The Weather Station performs at Radio City Music Hall, opening for Mitski, Photography by David Reichmann
Mitski’s set began with her hit single, “Love Me More,” a pounding rhythmic anthem of desperation and desire. The crowd screamed as the first notes played, and screamed again when the track concluded.
Mitski at Radio City Music Hall, Photography by David Reichmann
Mitski’s hypnotic and intense dances were inspired by Butoh, a form of Japanese dance theater, and featured exaggerated motions and physical storytelling through dance. The stories of her songs came alive in her dances, especially with her second song of the night, “Working for the Knife.” The Butoh influence also made an appearance in the song’s music video.
Mitski performs “Working for the Knife” at Radio City Music Hall, Photography by David Reichmann
“Working for the Knife” was the first preceding single leading up to the release of “Laurel Hell.” This also marked her first major release since 2018, when she had taken a hiatus following the release of her last full-length album, “Be the Cowboy.” The album would go on to be a huge hit, but in interviews at the time Mitski had expressed discomfort with the massive mainstream attention the album had received, and she announced her hiatus from music at a concert at Central Park in 2019. “Working for the Knife” addresses these issues directly, illustrating the struggle between her artistic desire to create and the overwhelming demands of the music industry and capitalist work culture in general. The song is a hard-hitting and thoughtful meditation on the struggles of artists to stay creative and productive, and her vivid and evocative dance choreography captures just that.
Mitski waves hands with crowd at Radio City, Photography by David Reichmann
Despite saying very little to the audience throughout the evening, Mitski did open up about her experience as a New Yorker towards the end of the show. “I wrote a lot of these songs in New York,” she said. “I was unhappy here. It was so hard. And realized it didn’t have to be so hard, so I moved. But every time I come back, I realize, ‘God damn it, I miss it.’” She added, “You don’t have to be unhappy. You can change it.”
Her massive 23-track setlist included many hits and deep cuts from her six-album catalog. Fans sang along at every opportunity and danced through every moment. Standout tracks included “Washing Machine Heart,” “Nobody,” “Should’ve Been Me,” and “The Only Heartbreaker.” For her encore, she performed “A Pearl,” and left the stage with a bow. The crowd cheered wildly and screamed their love for her. Mitski’s Laurel Hell Tour continues, and you can buy tickets for remaining dates here. Her catalog is available to stream here. And you can listen to the Weather Station here.
Acclaimed indie star Lucy Dacus played Central Park’s SummerStage in New York City as part of the final leg of her ongoing Home Video Tour on Thursday July 21, 2022. She played with support from indie rock band, Hop Along. Lucy last headlined New York in November of 2021 for three sold-out shows at Brooklyn Steel, following the release of her critically acclaimed third studio album, Home Video.
Lucy Dacus at Central Park with bubbles, Photograph by David Reichmann
Dacus also recently joined Phoebe Bridgers onstage at Forest Hills Stadium in June. Known for her lyrical depth and often heartbreaking narratives, Lucy Dacus has become a phenomenon in the indie scene. Her return to New York comes hot on the heels of her Spotify Singles release just a few days before, which included a cover of Cher’s “Believe.”
The day began with sweltering New York City heat and humidity, scattered thunderstorms, and heavy showers in the early afternoon. Fans who had lined up in the early morning endured some rain and heat, but were rewarded with spots near the front of the barricades. As the venue filled up, the crowd’s anticipation rose, frequently cheering at random intervals whenever they felt the need to express their excitement. Security and event staff worked hard to distribute bottled water and spray mist over the crowd to cool them down, which drew yet more cheers.
Event staff misting audience at SummerStage, Photograph by David Reichmann
Hop Along opened the evening, playing their energetic rock set as the sun lowered and the shadows of Central Park lengthened. The heat didn’t seem to slow their performance down, and the night gradually grew less hot as they played. The band played several tracks from their three-album catalog and a cover of Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”
Hop Along walked off the stage to enthralled applause as golden hour approached. The crowd reveled in the cooling shade as the sun lowered and Lucy’s set approached.
With the last few moments of sunset at hand, Lucy Dacus took the stage to a booming chorus of cheers. In addition to her regular ensemble band, most of the set was accompanied by strings. Lucy mentioned that her older records included tracks with strings, and she was excited to bring them to the show.
Lucy Dacus with her full band and Strings Section playing at Central Park, Photograph by David Reichmann
Lucy’s set had a false start when a crowd member required brief medical attention. She stopped the song and patiently waited. She praised the crowd for giving space for staff to help out and playfully posed for the photographers. After getting a thumbs up from the crowd, she got right back into it, and restarted the opening song.
Lucy Dacus posing for the cameras at Central Park, Photograph by David Reichmann
Lucy Dacus with a burst of bubbles, Photograph by David Reichmann
Lucy’s massive 17-song set included many more fan favorites and charting tracks, such as “I Don’t Wanna Be Funny Anymore” and “Brando.” Several times throughout her set, the air filled with bubbles to punctuate a chorus or hook, which drew huge applause each time. The most diehard fans packed at the front of the audience were showered in bubbles and screaming with joy.
Before Lucy played “Kissing Lessons” she cheerfully asked the audience, “I’ve been surveying, and I was wondering – who here is gay?” The crowd responded with a huge cheer. She laughed and replied, “This is our newest and probably gayest track.”
“Yesterday we put out two songs,” Lucy told the crowd. She then played her Spotify Singles cover of Cher’s “Believe.” “What a bop,” she quipped, to laughter and applause.
String Section for Lucy Dacus on couches, Photograph by David Reichmann
Lucy introduced the last track of her set by saying “Don’t you realize what a big deal this is? It’s so cool.” She thanked each member of her band, including the strings section, and thanked the audience. She closed the set with fan favorite, “Night Shift,” from her acclaimed sophomore record. “Thank you New York City, y’all are the best.” She disappeared backstage for a few moments, and then reappeared to another great wave of cheers. Before beginning her encore, Lucy mentioned that her father was in the audience. “Whenever he’s at one of my shows, I have to play this song.” She then played her cover of Bruce Springstein’s “Dancing in the Dark.”
Lucy’s bandmates took their bows and walked off to cheers, but Lucy remained on stage unaccompanied, a singular spotlight illuminating her. “Last time I was here was in 2019, opening for Mitski,” she told the crowd, remarking on how special it felt to return to Central Park as a headliner. “I’m going to play an unreleased song I wrote yesterday,” she said. “This is just for me. Pretend the show is over.” She then asked the crowd not to record this song. “I like to play new music at my shows, so please don’t record this.” Lucy punctuated her emotional performance by playing this final song unaccompanied under a beam of light, to an absolutely silent audience. They listened intently. The song will surely become a fan favorite upon release, but until then we won’t spoil the surprise by revealing any details.
Lucy Dacus playing an unreleased track solo, Photograph by David Reichmann
“I will remember this forever, thank you so so much. Until next time.” She walked off the stage to a crying, cheering, and screaming crowd in Central Park. The house lights came on and the crowd walked off, scattering through New York back into the warm summer night. Lucy’s catalog can be streamed here, and you can follow her ongoing North American tour here. Hop Along’s catalog can be streamed here as well. Check out our full show gallery by David Reichmann below.
