Tune-Yards made their way to Bushwick’s Brooklyn Steel last Wednesday, June 15th, in support of their excellent fifth LP, Sketchy. The album was released back in March of 2021 and like most bands today, this is the first opportunity for Tune-Yards to tour behind the record.
The band has released all five of their albums on 4AD records dating back to 2009. Singer and multi-instrumentalist Merrill Garbus took time at the end of the show to personally thank the label for being the backbone of their career.
Tune-Yards is the musical project of Merrill Garbus and Nate Brenner and is an eclectic mix of art-pop, worldbeat, lo-fi, and vocal play. Garbus has a history as a puppeteer, and this method of visceral expression comes out in her performance style. Most of the songs have intricate vocal loops and patterns, all of which are recorded and performed live while Garbus bounces around the stage, engaging the fans. She also paraded various signs around stage, serving as introductions for her banter between songs.
Tune-Yards made it a point early in the show at Brooklyn Steel to remind the audience that we are all living on Native American land and that fact must be constantly acknowledged. There was also a long interlude later in the show (noted on the setlist as “extinction memorial”) where Garbus instructed the audience on the plight of the Bramble Cay melomys. The rodent, native to islands off the coast of Australia, is confirmed to be the first mammal to go extinct due to climate change. The rising sea level surrounding the low-lying islands destroyed their habitat and led to the rodent’s extinction.
The music of Tune-Yards is impossibly difficult to categorize. The band performs live as a trio, but with all the vocal and synth looping, once the songs are structured live they feel larger than life. Garbus’ vocal abilities are captivating and have always been a fundamental component of the music. Sketchy track “Hypnotized” is a prime example and has been a mainstay in this tour’s setlists. Garbus delivers a bit of vocal play over a sparse, but deliberate drum beat to open the track, before an array of art-pop synths and a chunky bass line fill in the groove. The band also featured the track “Gangsta” from their second LP, Whokill. The song has been one of Tune-Yards’ most succesful, appearing in TV shows Letterkenny, Orange Is The New Black, Weeds, and The Good Wife.
Tune-Yards’ tour concluded over the weekend, with a final show on Saturday, June 18th, at Union Transfer in Philadelphia. The band spent a lot of time throughout the show thanking the people that have been supporting and enabling them to create their music. Garbus is also a new mother, and she relished in that as her baby was off-stage sharing in the moment. Garbus lamented that she felt that Tune-Yards would never be able to tour again after the pandemic, admitting that these shows were also a celebration of their miniature victory over COVID. Head over to the band’s website to see a handful of one-off shows they have scheduled, and see NYS Music’s full photo gallery from Brooklyn Steel below.
English indie rockers Alt-J made their way to Madison Square Garden on Monday, April 11 as part of The Dream tour. The show is Alt-J’s first New York show in four years since the band’s performance at the 2018 Mountain Jam Festival at Hunter Mountain. These shows come in support of their fourth studio album The Dream, released back in February on Infectious Records.
Support across the tour is coming from Alaskan indie veterans Portugal. The Man and this second leg of the run also features Cherry Glazerr. Portugal. The Man have been at it since 2005 and are gearing up to release their ninth studio LP. The as-of-yet untitled album features the lead single, “What, Me Worry?” and is out this June. As they always do, Portugal. The Man opened the show by inviting members from indigenous people groups that represent the land they are playing on. After this intorduction, the band kicked off their set with a thrash metal medley of Metallica, Pantera, and Slayer before playing one of their own songs. PTM typically plays their live sets as giant medleys, showcasing a really cool moment when the played “Another Brick In The Wall (pt. 2)” into their classic hit “Purple Yellow Red and Blue.”
Portugal. The Man at MSG, 4/11/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
It has been a quiet 5-years since Alt-J put out their last album, 2017s Relaxer. The band came out of hiding late last year with the announcement of The Dream along with lead single “U&ME.” The song starts off with a wandering guitar and vocal melody, dreaming of summer nostalgia and hot dogs off the grill. The song picks up the pace halfway through and crescendos into a psychedelic summer ballad. On Monday night, Alt-J also played the highly experimental The Dream songs “Chicago” and “Philadelphia.” Alt-J’s stage set-up for this tour is quite remarkable. The three band members are on elevated platforms, surrounded by a semi-transparent screen that they project visuals onto, completely immersing the band into the visual presentation.
With only four LPs, the band played many songs from each of their releases but weaved them together in such a compelling way that they could have been playing a complete album in full. Alt-J have been incredibly consistent over the years, and created quite a unique sound in the oversaturated indie rock scene. As a trio from the start, Alt-J never try to make their music too dense with many layers. Instead, the three members allow the instruments they are playing to shine through as clear as possible while moving in and out of subtle movements within their songs. They are uniquely able to create the illusion of a five-piece band without adding too much at any given point.
The US leg of the tour is nearing the end, with three more shows in Boston, Montreal, and Toronto. The band then heads over to the UK for a run of shows in May and then a larger European run in Novemeber. Head over the the band’s website for more info and check out our full photo gallery of Alt-J at Madison Square Garden below.
Pop-punk mainstays The Maine celebrated their 15th anniversary as a band this past Monday, April 4th at Webster Hall. The band last played in NYC back in August 2021 as part of the Sad Summer Festival, but the show at Webster Hall was The Maine’s first NYC headline in over four years. Overjoyed to be playing a club in the city again, singer John O’Callaghan thanked the fans for their longstanding support and treated them to a career spanning setlist.
The Maine at Webster Hall, 4/4/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
As the house lights went down, archetypal party song “Sweet Caroline” played over the PA as The Maine filed onto the Webster Hall stage. The song provides a perfect segway into the opening track from their 2021 LP XOXO: From Love & Anxiety In Real Time, “Sticky,” which references the Neil Diamond anthem. Staying true to their Southwest roots, light-up cowboy hats were on sale at the merch table, and have been a crucial part of the band’s merch package for many years. Looking around Webster Hall you found dozens of these hats as well as fan-made versions lighting up the room. Going along with the passion of The Maine’s fan community known as “8123,” the crowd exploded with energy as the band played the first notes of “We All Roll Along” from their debut Can’t Stop Won’t Stop.
The Maine at Webster Hall, 4/4/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
The Maine’s latest record was released last summer, and the band spent the second half of 2021 on tour supporting All Time Low; a tour that stopped at NYC’s Pier 17 for the Sad Summer Fest back in August. The current headlining tour (which began in January) is the first time the band is able to fully flesh out the new songs and mix them into their classics. Mixing nostalgia and with the reality of today, John told an anecdote of losing his wallet at The Knitting Factory while asking the audience to pay tribute to his baby who was in attendance clad in earmuffs at the sound table.
The Maine at Webster Hall, 4/4/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
The band cruised through a 16-song setlist that touched on all of their albums and various singles. In the last leg of the show, The Maine introduced Taking Back Sunday frontman Adam Lazzara as well as opening artist Charlotte Sands onto stage to perform their latest collaborative single “Loved You A Little.” Released back in January the song is a classic emo/pop-punk anthem featuring vocals from the three singers. Adam, Charlotte, and John from The Maine are all individually powerful vocalists that command a room, but on “Loved You A Little” the three are mixed so well and create a unified sound as if they were all in the same band.
The Maine with Adam Lazzara and Charlotte Sands at Webster Hall, 4/4/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
“Loved You A Little” by The Maine, Taking Back Sunday, and Charlotte Sands. Via YouTube
The Maine maintain a busy tour schedule through the month of April and ending on a somewhat hometown show in Prescott, AZ on April 30th. The band also has two festival appearances at SO WHAT!? as well as the meme-famous When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas. Head over to The Maine’s website for the full itinerary and check out NYS Music’s photo gallery from the Webster Hall show below.
Parquet Courts, the New York City based post-punk band, finished up a two-night stand at Bushwick’s Brooklyn Steel on Saturday, April 2nd. The band is on tour supporting their seventh LP Sympathy for Life; released last October via Rough Trade Records. The album features the infectiously groovy lead single “Walking at a Downtown Pace” and the psychedelic jam “Plant Life.”
Parquet Courts at Brooklyn Steel, 4/2/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
NYS Music was at night two, which featured a rather unique intro to the show. After the stage crew finished the change over between sets, a woman lit a sage bundle and immersed the stage in the smoke. She stepped to the mic and announced onto the stage, “Clown.” After expecting Parquet Courts to walk onto the Brooklyn Steel stage, the crowd was indeed perplexed, but intrigued as to what was happening. Two people walked on stage, one apparently the Clown in full face paint and a clown suit accompanied by a saxophone player. The two then played a gorgeous cover of Parquet Courts song and Sympathy for Life closer “Pulcinella.” The ambient balled swelled into a mix of sax and guitar loops, coming to a climax as Clown then introduced Parquet Courts to the stage.
Clown at Brooklyn Steel, 4/2/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
Once Parquet Courts took the stage, the crowd burst into joyous energy and never let up until the end of the show. The band played a career spanning set, and embellished much of the songs into lengthy live versions with extended jams and improvised movements. The band transforms their energetic post-punk style into a multifaceted live show that keeps even the most devout listener on their toes. Highlights of the show included the aforementioned Sympathy of Life singles as well as “Freebird II” and “Mardi Gras Beads” off the excellent 2018 LP Wide Awake!.
Parquet Courts at Brooklyn Steel, 4/2/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
Parquet Courts continue on tour through April, ending the month on the west coast before heading to Europe for a run of dates in May and June. The band sprinkles in a couple of shows in Australia later in the summer. Check out the full tour schedule HERE and see our photo gallery from the show at Brooklyn Steel on April 2nd below.
After a pandemic-induced two-year hiatus, the BUKU Music and Art Project made it’s triumphant return to New Orleans this past weekend. The 2-day music festival and art project took place at it’s usual location outside of Mardi Gras World on the banks of the Mississippi river. The project’s 10th anniversary featured a stacked lineup of EDM and bass music, rap, hip-hop, and indie rock. Back in March of 2020, as the stages and grounds were being built, project organizer Winter Circle Productions made the tough decision to cancel BUKU Project just over a week out. Being the first cancelled festival in 2020, it was only fitting that in 2022, a few weeks after Mardi Gras celebrations returned to New Orleans, that BUKU would be the first festival to kick off the season.
The 2022 lineup featured several hold over names from the cancelled 2020 edition including headliner Tyler, the Creator, Glass Animals, Alison Wonderland, Taking Back Sunday, and 100 Gecs. Over the years BUKU has grown into a 20,000 attendees per day festival and the location has proven ideal. A 100 year old power plant with graffiti covered smoke stacks and a vintage riverboat anchored on the Mississippi overshadow the project, reflecting the rich history of New Orleans’ warehouse district.
BUKU Project attendees were treated to a perfect sunny 75 degrees in New Orleans, a city that was eager to welcome music lovers back into their arms. New Orleans’ famous culture center of Bourbon Street is once again buzzing with music and activity and this was mirrored into the design of BUKU. Organizers weaved the experience of discovering local music into the fabric of the project.
As you walk around the grounds, you find pop-up musical performances, many which were not featured on the lineup. In the fields of the main stage area, there is a small vendor market with bands playing DIY style shows in the center of the market. A mobile rickshaw draped in hundreds of Mardi Gras beads was seen riding around the festival with massive speakers and a DJ playing music off the back. Outside of the ‘Ballroom’ stage, there was a boxing ring where rappers, bands, and interpretative performers played intensely experimental music.
Rickshaw and Boxing Ring “Stages”
Aside from the music, BUKU is also an Art Project that celebrates New Orleans artists. Art installations were scattered around the festival grounds and vendors were selling art and custom clothing. Modern sculptures and lighting pieces were found around every corner of the grounds, provided interesting backdrops to the music and for photos. There were also “live art” areas where graffiti and mural artists spent the two days creating beautiful pieces in the shadows of the music stages. Some of these were sold or auctioned for charity, but many fans just spent time watching the art being created while listening to the music in the distance.
Live Art Gallery
Bass Music and Underground Rap
The backbone of the BUKU Project lineup are the dubstep and bass music artists, with the ‘Wharf’ stage dedicated entirely to the genre for both days. The stage production was top notch and all of the performers took full advantage of the system’s power. Lasers from the stage were projected onto the nearby warehouse and the Louis Armstrong riverboat anchored in the river, creating the feeling of an intimate outdoor club while still housing thousands of fans. Liquid Stranger and Lane 8 headlined the stage on Friday and Saturday respectively, with Svdden Death, Mersiv, Clozee, and Wreckno filling in the days.
The Wharf Stage at BUKU Music and Art Project
“Multimedia aggregate” Lab Group also played the Wharf stage, only three months after the tragic death of member and producer Charlesthefirst. The 25 year old’s death shocked the community, but surviving members Potions and Supertask are keeping the aggregate alive and still performing the music that the group created together. At one point in their set Lab Group paid tribute by playing “Old Ways” which features rap verses from Charlesthefirst.
Lab Group Performs on The Wharf Stage. Photo by Buscar Photo
Underground rap and hip-hop played a large role in the 2022 edition of the BUKU Project in New Orleans. Odd Future founding member and now international superstar and fashion designer Tyler, the Creator headlined the project on Saturday. Ever since his solo debut Goblin back in 2011, Tyler, the Creator has been putting a fresh spin on his sound with each new release. 2019’s IGOR was an ambitious blend of rap and experimental R&B which debuted at No. 1 on the charts. Tyler, the Creator followed this up with Call Me If You Get Lost in 2021 which continued to propel his commercial success.
Tyler, the Creator at the BUKU Music and Art Project. Photo by Buscar Photo
Aside from the big name headliner, the rap lineup for both days of BUKU was stacked with rising stars and veteran artists. Friday featured ShyGirl and Tierra Whack in the Ballroom with Trippie Redd delivering a fiery set mid-day on the main Skyline stage. On Saturday, fans were treated to a full day of Flo Milli, Vince Staples, Baby Keem, Maxo Kream, and Tyler, the Creator. Another major success of the BUKU Project was that these individual genre lineups had no conflicts and fans who were there for the rap did not have to make any hard decisions.
Flo Milli at the BUKU Music and Art Project. Photo by Buscar Photo
Indie Rock and The Undefined
What festival would be complete these days without the indie kids? The best thing about music today is that anyone can listen to anything at any time. This has cultivated a generation of music lovers with a very wide palate. This was on clear display when Taking Back Sunday took the Skyline stage for their mid-day set. The band is on tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their seminal 2002 LP Tell All Your Friends and they split their set between newer material and classic songs “Cute Without the ‘E’” and “MakeDamnSure.” The band drew a large crowd for an early festival set and the injection of nostalgia was a beautiful way to kick off the weekend.
Taking Back Sunday at the BUKU Music and Art Project. Photo by Buscar Photo
Friday headliners and Australian psych-rock titans Tame Impala were the highlight of the indie side of the festival. The band is on the second leg of The Slow Rush Tour which was partially postponed due to the pandemic but is back on the road in full force. Featuring a massive lighting rig suspended from the stage, the band’s live production overwhelms any audience they host. The lighting gives the unsettling yet beautiful feeling of coming face to face with a UFO.
Tame Impala at the BUKU Music and Art Project. Photo by Buscar Photo
The band cruised through reworked live versions of The Slow Rush songs “Breath Deeper” and “Borderline” while playing a driving, laser fueled rendition of fan favorite “Elephant.” Two extended releases of confetti during the last two songs “Let It Happen” and “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” felt like a celebration not only of Tame Impala or BUKU, but more of the return to live music in one of the richest musical cities in the world.
Tame Impala at the BUKU Music and Art Project. Photo by Buscar Photo
Given the seemingly endless creative outlets that exist today, there are so many artists out there that defy categorization and cannot fit within the typical genre classifications. 100 Gecs were an early highlight of the day on Friday. Described as “hyperpop,” the duo performs an aggressive and in your face punk-like pop music. Their chaotic style is a great show to see in a small club, but their gigantic sound reverberated across the main stage grounds as if that was their natural setting. Porter Robinson performed his Nurture live show and British indie rockers Glass Animals brought their iconic summer pool staging to same time slot on the main stage on Friday and Saturday respectively.
Glass Animals at the BUKU Music and Art Project. Photo by Buscar Photo
Our Impression
All in all, the return of the BUKU Music and Art Project to New Orleans was a major success. Organizers brought back some of the big names from the cancelled 2020 lineup and designed grounds that were well laid out and easy to navigate. Lines for food and drinks were never too long and there was plenty of free water and “BUKU Budz” throughout the festival supporting attendees. Most festivals with bass heavy electronic music suffer from sound bleed issues, but none of the stages interfered with each other at BUKU. The food lineup featured local mainstays and highlighted the signature creole cuisine of New Orleans.
NYS Music had a great time at the festival and we caught sets from so any different artists and styles throughout the weekend. We enjoyed seeing big names like Tame Impala in their prime, but also discovering new music that will become part of our rotation. Nothing is better than discovering new music live, looking over at your head-banging friends and asking “what song is this?” Moments like this are what we missed most during the pandemic and we are so happy to have back again.
Check out our artist galleries from the 10th edition of the BUKU Music and Art Project below, photographed by NYS Music photographer Buscar Photo.
Tampa, Florida natives and metal-core innovators, Underoath, stopped at Brooklyn Steel on St. Patrick’s Day as part of their Voyeurist North America Tour. Voyeurist, Underoath’s ninth LP and second from Fearless Records, showed the band staying true to the hardcore/screamo sound they helped fashion in the early aughts, while also modernizing the production and adding electronic and futuristic elements. The band refers to this enhanced sound as “high-def violence” and are in peak form on this tour.
Underoath at Brooklyn Steel, 3/17/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
Underoath brought some new and long time favorite heavyweights to Brooklyn Steel to fill out an incredible hardcore quadruple bill. Long Island natives, Stray from the Path, opened the show, playing songs from a nearly 20-year catalog including their 2019 LP, Internal Atomics. Next up was Richmond, Virginia band, Bad Omens, who recently released their third LP, The Death Of Peace Of Mind, this past February on Sumerian Records. The penultimate performers were the incredibly exciting, Spiritbox, who released their debut LP, Eternal Blue, last September. Featuring vocalist Courtney LaPlante and her husband Mike Stringer on guitar, the band creates the perfect blend of etherial and melodic post-rock with crushing waves of heavy screaming hardcore. LaPlante stretches the vocal range with stunning beauty on the live stage.
Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox. Photo by Buscar Photo
Underoath were thought to be permanently retired after their farewell tour in 2013. Founding drummer and clean vocalist Aaron Gillespie had left the band in 2010 and the remaining members went on to release a record without him, 2010s â (Disambiguation). Gillespie ended up performing with the band on the last show of the farewell tour in Florida in January, 2013 but the band seemed finished at the time. A few years later, they returned with Gillespie in the lineup and have since released two records, including Voyeurist, which has instantly become a staple in the band’s catalog.
Underoath at Brooklyn Steel, 3/17/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
The show at Brooklyn Steel was Underoath’s first time playing in New York since August, 2019 when the band played in Saratoga and Wantagh with Korn and Alice In Chains. The Voyeurist Tour is nearly complete as they are set to close the run with two hometown shows in Florida on March 26th and 27th. Find the remaining show details on the band’s website. Spiritbox on the other hand have gained so much momentum with this new album that their tour schedule is just beginning. After these shows with Underoath, they have numerous festival appearances and a European tour stretching throughout the summer. Head over to their website for the full dates and see our photo galleries from Underoath and Spiritbox below.
Psychedelic mainstays Animal Collective brought their mind-bending live show to Brooklyn Steel this past weekend in support of their eleventh studio album Time Skiffs. “A thousand wasted Brooklyners, all depressed” sold out the Bushwick venue to see a band that has been on the forefront of modern psychedelic music for more than 20 years. Fans lined up early as the merch booth was transformed into a pop-up record store, selling nearly every Animal Collective album on vinyl including the Merriweather Post Pavilion special edition.
Animal Collective at Brooklyn Steel, 3/12/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
Animal Collective play a different set every night, but like every show, Saturday night in Brooklyn featured new tracks and a host of favorites and deep cuts. Time Skiffs featured with tracks “Strung With Everything” and “Cherokee” while Strawberry Jam hit “For Reverend Green” closed out the encore. For this tour the band dusted off deep cuts “Chores” and “Applesauce,” both of which have not been played live in 10 years.
Animal Collective at Brooklyn Steel, 3/12/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
Animal Collective are just beginning a very bust tour schedule for the rest of 2022. The US tour is two legs, with March in the east and midwest and May on the west coast. Then the band heads to Europe for two legs in June and November. Head over to their website to see the full schedule and see NYS Music’s photo gallery from the Brooklyn Steel show below, and check out our coverage from their 2016 appearance in NYC.
BUKU Music and Art Project returns to New Orleans for the 10th edition on the banks of the Mississippi River later this month. Taking place in the shadow of a 100 year old power plant, the festival boasts industrial art installations mixed with traditional New Orleans subculture to create a “playground with an edge.”
NYS Music will be covering the 2-day festival which takes place on March 25th and 26th. Headliners include Tame Impala (Friday) and Tyler, the Creator (Saturday) but the lineup also features a deep mix of underground and experimental bass, techno, rap, and hip-hop artists. Head over to the festival’s website for the full lineup and ticket information.
With a 2-day general admission ticket coming in at $120 before fees and a lineup full of up and coming artists, BUKU created a modern music festival focused on growing the underground music culture. Of course there are headliners and big names on the bill to grow the festival to a certain size, but even these artists fit the vibe of BUKU. A founding member of the underground rap group Odd Future, Tyler, the Creator has been on the cutting edge of rap with every bit of new music he releases, including his incredibly successful two album run of Igor and Call Me If You Get Lost. Tame Impala’s fresh take on classic 1960’s psychedelia inspired a massive new scene of Australian bands that are creating the best psych-rock in a generation. Every aspect of the 2022 BUKU lineup stays true to the mission of the festival.
BUKU has now released the daily schedules, creating some tough conflicts. Porter Robinson or Dom Dolla? Tame Impala or Liquid Stranger? Glass Animals or Maxo Kream? There are odd standouts on every festival lineup, and for BUKU 2022 it has to be Taking Back Sunday. We will certainly be front and center for their set, but the classic emo rock band from the early aughts certainly is the black sheep of the festival. In our experience however, these legacy bands with mid-day sets can sometimes draw the largest crowd and loudest sing-alongs of the weekend.
BUKU has also just announced the BUKU Late series of after parties taking place at various New Orleans venues. The night before the festival there is a kickoff party featuring GG Magree B2B Mija taking place at Republic NOLA. Friday night parties include Troyboi and Tokimonsta at Republic NOLA as well as a BUKU x Wakaan show headlined by Liquid Stranger at The Orpheum Theater. Saturday night has three options with Alison Wonderland (house set) at Republic NOLA, BUKU x BASSIK featuring Svdden Death B2B Sullivan King at Joy Theater, and a BUKU x Lab Group party featuring a “special closing Lab Group family B2B” at The Orpheum Theater. Tickets for all of the BUKU Late parties range from $25-$35 and are currently on presale for festival ticket holders.
NYS Music photographer Joseph Buscarello will be down in New Orleans covering the festival. Stay tuned for our daily recap and artist photo galleries from BUKU.
Southern soul rockers St. Paul and The Broken Bones made their debut at NYC’s famed Beacon Theatre this past Friday, March 11th. The band is still fresh off the release the excellent new album The Alien Coast; their fourth LP and first on ATO Records.
St. Paul and The Broken Bones at The Beacon Theatre, 3/11/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
Their most experimental record to date, The Alien Coast features psychedelic transitions and textures backed by singer Paul Janeway’s signature, soulful voice. The Beacon Theatre is known for it’s beauty and near magical acoustics; features Paul took full advantage of by climbing to the balcony during “Sanctify” and belting out the lyrics into the packed sold-out room.
St. Paul and The Broken Bones played a career spanning set at The Beacon Theatre. The band opened the show with three straight tracks off The Alien Coast, including hit single “The Last Dance,” and the night ended with a loud sing-along to Half The City favorite “Call Me.” St. Paul relished in the appreciation received from the Beacon crowd and returned the favor with such an extensive set.
Paul Janeway of St. Paul and The Broken Bones. Photo by Buscar Photo
St. Paul and The Broken Bones have a lengthy tour schedule ahead. The solo headline dates continue into mid-May before beginning a co-headline run with Fitz & The Tantrums. Those shows take place in June and then St. Paul head over the Europe for a short run of shows. Head over to the band’s website to see the full itinerary and check out NYS Music’s full photo gallery from The Beacon Theatre below.
Brooklyn locals Nation of Language kicked off a six week North America tour earlier this week and on Thursday, March 3rd the band landed at Webster Hall for their fourth hometown show in the past 6 months. The trio has been rocketing in popularity ever since the release of their excellent sophomore album, A Way Forward, on PIAS Records.
The band played the 2021 edition of Governor’s Ball back in September and NYS Music’s Steve Malinski caught up with the group during the festival. Check out the full interview and photos from their Gov Ball performance HERE.
Nation of Language at Webster Hall, 3/3/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
Webster Hall is the largest headlining show Nation of Language has played in NYC since forming. The band played the significantly smaller Market Hotel for a one-off show in November but this tour has them playing larger clubs all across North America. Blending bright synth-pop beats with passionate vocals and an enormous stage presence from frontman Ian Richard Devaney the band captivates the audience with an extremely minimal backline. Leaning on recorded drum samples, the stage only contained Aidan Noell’s synth table on the far left, two microphones, and a handful of pedals. Ian used every square inch of open stage to dance and just keep moving while singing and playing guitar.
Nation of Language at Webster Hall, 3/3/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
Nation of language fittingly began the show at Webster with A Way Forward opening track “In Manhattan.” The set was roughly split with tracks from both of their albums including their self-released debut Introduction, Presence. Head over to their website to find details on the tour and check out our photo gallery from the show below.
