A LocalBozo.com Concert Review
Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
December 15, 2016

The merry band of Canadian rockers in July Talk scorched the Bowery Ballroom on one of the most frigid nights in Manhattan this year. On the heels of the release of their sophomore album “Touch,” the uncannily unique five piece band provided their fans with a night full of polarizing vocals and addictive, dance inspiring rhythms. Minutes before 11pm, the quintet made their way to stage in nonchalant and unassuming fashion, walking through dark shadows. Looming behind the band, a banner hung adorned with hands, the cover art from their latest record release.

The band juxtaposed their low key stage entrance with an outright electric opening with “Touch” intro track, “Picturing Love.”  The new and undeniably catchy keyboard driven tune is a great snapshot of July Talk’s past, present, and penchant for seamlessly blending extremely different genres and and vocal stylings in a tasteful and disciplined style to create a truly distinct and dynamic sound. In what felt like an aural one-two punch, the band went right into the guttural blues rock laden “Summer Dress” from their self-titled debut album. The hard hitting groove paced by drummer Danny Miles physically moved concert goers from whimsical swaying into synchronized body rocking. Although they couldn’t be further from each other on the vocal spectrum, co-singers Leah Fay and Peter Dreimanis share an obvious musical and emotional chemistry which exhibited itself in many facets from the duo’s beautifully haunting harmonies to their almost marionette-like dance interactions with each other.

The pair not only shone in interaction together though- Fay and Dreimanis also dominated the room with their individualistic charisma. She moved about stage, in between shining on the microphone, with equal parts elegance, grace, and quirkiness. Dreimanis meanwhile exuded emotion through animated facial expressions and gestures ranging from intense guitar strums to this distraught and menacing outreach toward his singing partner, which persisted throughout the night. The set continued on with the garage rock, lo-fi feel “Headsick” and rhythmic right turn with the heavier, lurching strums and melodies of “Gentleman.” New tracks like “Johnny + Mary” and “Now I Know” would then bring the tempo back up, reviving the dancing on stage and in the live crowd.

The band alternated between albums- more vintage and uptempo new cuts like “Beck + Call” and “Push + Pull” were nice changes of pace to the grunge and punk vibe of “Uninvited” and the Johnny Cash cadenced “I’ve Rationed Well.”  For over ninety minutes, the set was an absolute gift from July Talk, with 18 songs that nearly covered their entire catalog- an energetic and powerful ride that showcased the band’s musical growth in the short time they’ve been collaborating. Aside from their inarguable musicianship, July Talk is irrefutably authentic and organic. Not the type of chemistry and output that can be mimicked or manufactured.

- Jon Asher

A LocalBozo.com Concert Review
Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
June 7, 2016

When a rain battered New York City was forced to cancel the final day of 2016’s Governor’s Ball, artists understandably reacted in different ways. While some turned the City upside down in the middle of the night, others took a more traditional approach and scrambled to secure a new location to perform for their fans while in town. Tuesday evening’s show at The Bowery Ballroom may not have been planned far in advance, but the show quickly sold out once the announcement was made during the previous day and fans were treated to a live show that lasted more than two hours in duration led by guitar virtuoso Gary Clark Jr. and his talented three-piece band.

If this sounds at all familiar – it should. It was roughly two weeks ago that Clark Jr. rocked a sold out Grand Ballroom at Webster Hall just before Memorial Day weekend. With Tuesday evening’s performance inside a far more intimate venue, Clark never took his foot off the pedal despite playing a far more intimate room. And fans predictably lost their shit once again, amid a set rife with mesmerizing musicianship and enough blues and soul to satiate even the most casual fans of either genre.

As much credit as Clark is often given as a guitar-player, he deserves nearly equal praise for his often outstanding vocals which capture more feeling than his finger plucking and facial expressions ever could. “Bright Lights” has become a staple atop Clark’s set in recent months, and yet it’s such an appropriate opener given the Manhattan setting that it would be difficult to envision the show starting any other way. While the spotlight never shone away from the charismatic fashionplate, the singer’s backing musicians, to their credit, never missed a beat- laying down some particularly excellent rhythm sections behind Clark’s sometimes lengthy and sometimes lightning fast guitar breakdowns.

Continually touring behind 2015’s “The Story of Sonny Boy Slim,” Clark would specifically shine on cuts like the falsetto-focused “Cold Blooded,” a slow and steady R&B song that showcased his versatility as a singer. Other tracks like “Shake” and “Grinder” were purposefully delayed to a bit later in the set, once the crowd had been sufficiently loosened up by the likes of the foot-stomping “Don’t Owe You a Thang” and a downright awesome rendition of “When My Train Pulls In,” a defiant rock track that allowed Clark plenty of time to solo at will. The eyes of the crowd watched in awe as the fedora-clad frontman confidently strode across the stage, effectively dancing with his six string axe and leading his bandmates with conductor-like precision through a much welcomed and seemingly improvised blues-fueled jam.

Among the show’s many memorable moments, the singer would begin his encore on stage by himself during a particularly stirring version of “Things Are Changin,’” which really seemed to captivate the assembly of fans on hand. Equally as impressive was Clark’s masterful playing on “Church” where he alternated between singing, strumming guitar and blowing into the harmonica affixed to his neck during the mellow but spirited number. The show quickly made clear that despite Gary Clark Jr.’s critically praised studio albums, they don’t do the level of expertise and musicianship at his live shows sufficient justice. While the audio is often brilliant, it’s the full sensory experience- watching him perform, interacting with the crowd of fans all around and actually hearing the music played in a live setting- that allows concertgoers to feel something different. And it’s a feeling that fans of any musical genre should go out of their way to experience for themselves.

- Dave Gendelson

A LocalBozo.com Concert Review
Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
November 7, 2015

From the opening chords of funky opening track “Dirt” to the last remaining ones of main set closer “Mama Knows” and for nearly two hours in between, Brooklyn’s own Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds energized a sold out crowd at The Bowery Ballroom on Saturday night. Tapping a unique blend of blues and soul, the group’s style somehow seems both unique and familiar, backed by six talented musicians and a singer with seemingly limitless vocal capabilities, evidenced in each one of the band’s seventeen songs performed on this night. But the tempo throughout the course of the evening would rarely slow down as the standing room only audience would revel in the party-like atmosphere of a Saturday night show in New York City, led by a conductor with unparalleled charisma.

For years, the band has been tinkering with its live stage show, growing organically from playing to small local crowds at the likes of Rockwood Music Hall to far larger venues all over town. But given the complete performance that we witnessed on Saturday evening, a sold out Bowery Ballroom was a stop befitting a collective of musicians that deserve far larger praise and far larger audiences. And finally it seems, the rest of the city is ready to catch on.

Shortly after 10pm, each bandmate would begin to emerge from the backstage area with singer Arleigh Kincheloe or Sister Sparrow fittingly being the last to arrive. Despite some fun covers thrown in for contrast, the group would lean heavily on 2015’s “The Weather Below,” the band’s most well rounded and complete release to date. Replete with powerful horns and a captivating stage presence, the entire evening was a homecoming of sorts for the Brooklyn band, evidenced by the entirely appreciative live crowd- most of whom never stopped moving throughout the show.

It is hard not to stand in awe of Kincheloe’s vocals in a live concert setting. Her style rests comfortably somewhere between the soul of Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard and the bombastic raw range of a defiant P!nk. But in person, Kincheloe is an absolute revelation. When she’s not enthralling the audience with her lightning fast hip-shaking and tambourine slapping to each song’s measured beat, she’s holding extended notes with perfect pitch and allowing the audience to join in on the fun that she’s so clearly enjoying while performing. It’s a strange connection between Kincheloe and the sea of eyes staring back toward her from the floor- as a local product, she seems like one of ours and with that in mind, the band’s success is one that we as New Yorkers can truly appreciate. But her voice alone is one that’s worth the price of admission.

The set list, predictably was nicely assembled, giving the crowd little time to catch their breath in between songs. Showing a great deal of versatility, songs like the harmonica led “Catch Me If You Can” and the decisively bluesy “Borderline” were particular highlights early on in the set, both of which allowed the complete band to shine cohesively. Perhaps the evening’s most appropriate number though was the awesomely soulful “Don’t Be Jealous,” whose chorus proclaims ‘It’s just me and the fellas.’ The pointed verses of rhythmic reassurance aim to quell the many insecurities involved with a male dominated band that’s headlined by a talented female singer, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that the song is one of the group’s catchiest numbers. Pleasantly preceding the evening’s pop-friendly and deliciously infectious single “Sugar” which was another of the evening’s many memorable moments, the band added even more blues players and tapped The Doobie Brothers for a fun rendition of “Long Train Running.” A lively trombone player would join the already fast paced horns section to the delight of the live crowd, while Sister Sparrow yielded the spotlight to her bandmates for the brunt of the throwback track.

Although the group has been performing together only since 2011, their live show is indicative of an act with far more experience. The band eschews much in the way of stage show pageantry in order to let their collective musical talents stand out, but because the group is so immensely talented, the entire experience resonates in entertaining fashion. And led by a singer with one of the best voices that we’ve heard in quite some time, finally, it seems, that Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds are ready to take flight.

- Dave Gendelson

A LocalBozo.com Concert Review
Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
February 16, 2014

A chilly Monday evening did little to keep the swarms of people from a completely sold out Bowery Ballroom where Brooklyn native Theophilus London was making his first area appearance since the November release of his album “Vibes.” That night, London swooned a jam packed Soho House during a VIP setting that was greeted by the likes of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. And though Monday’s showcase was a bit lighter on the star power watching from the audience, London ensured that it was his own star that shone brightest for all to behold.

Taking the stage shortly after 10pm, London spent the better portion of his ninety minute set keeping everyone on their toes, switching up styles and mood from song to song. In fact, London is perhaps best described as a hybrid performer, utilizing a multitude of genres and styles in a stage show that swings wildly from hip hop to electronic to crooning over an R&B track while slow dancing with some of his adoring female fans right up on stage. Eschewing the use of a DJ, London himself conducts each set using his MacBook which remains front an center and each song is backed by a live three piece band that does their best to match the singer/rapper’s intensity and stage presence.

With promises of special guest appearances for the hometown show, London didn’t disappoint with the likes of Devonte Hynes and Leon Ware making stage-front cameos in between the likes of the guitar-shredding Andrew Watt and rapper Manolo Rose, accompanied by nearly a dozen of his buddies. But the show itself served to highlight London’s talents, despite apologizing for the absence of Kanye West following a blistering rendition of “Can’t Stop,” featuring a studio recording of the rapper’s verse. Though much of the set revolved around newer material, the frenetic chorus of “I Stand Alone” was a particular highlight from London’s 2011 full length debut “Timez Are Weird These Days.”

With such drastic transitions from soulful tracks to high octane thumpers, it would have been easy for the crowd to become disengaged with the show- but to London’s credit, he managed to keep all eyes on him all evening long whether pulling up fans on stage or crowd surfing over their heads during his set.  New tracks like “Do Girls” and the catchy “Heartbreaker” and “Need Somebody” particularly invigorated the live crowd who seemed to be waiting all evening for the show’s eventual show closer “Tribe,” a fun and fast paced track that features London’s rapping skills laid over a radio friendly electronic beat. Matched with an equally eye-catching light show, the room exploded into an all out dance party fueled by London himself and his band, each of whom took it up an energetic notch for the song that would close the show. For an hour and a half, Theophilus London, the performer, unleashed a dazzling array of musical talent and a penchant for performing that allowed every fan in the house to find something that spoke to them. And Monday night’s show proved that despite just two albums under his belt, the jack-of-all-trades performer seems to be just getting started.

- Jane Van Arsdale

A LocalBozo.com Concert Review
Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
November 15, 2013

Friday night’s show at the Bowery Ballroom was headlined by eclectic rock act He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister. But those of us who made our way inside a little bit earlier were treated to a fun forty minute opening romp performed by eastern Los Angeles’ Caught A Ghost, a five piece band with a sound eerily reminiscent of the late 1970′s and early 1980′s with a modernized swagger. And in their very first show played live in New York City, the band’s short set provided a glimpse of an indie rock band surely on the rise.

Uniquely, the band doesn’t feature the guitar for periods during their set- instead inventively focusing on the likes of impassioned saxophone solos and keyboard playing. In fact what’s most interesting about the group’s dynamic live show is frontman Jesse Nolan‘s instrumentation which alternates between smashing a bass drum and the band’s only guitar. Taking the stage at 10pm sharp, Nolan’s shared vocals with Tessa Thompson though proved to be the most captivating portion of the show, positioned to his right and adding to the collection of sound with every shake of her tambourine. Opening tracks “Can’t Let Go” and “Sleeping At Night” were particularly rousing even if much of the crowd was unfamiliar with the band’s material. They made it work.

The band’s sound combines both catchy pop with indie rock, but truthfully evokes a deeper bluesy quality, similar to Frank Stallone in “Staying Alive”- a compliment despite any misconception. Standout tracks included “Relentless” and “Hold Out,” but Caught A Ghost forced the entire crowd to testify during “No Sugar In My Coffee,” whose chorus of ‘Hold your hands up high / My love I’ll see you by and by’ was repeated in unison like the congregation at a sermon. And by harnessing so many fun aspects of decades gone by with a distinctive sound and musical style, the Caught A Ghost has somehow carved out a niche and a stage presence that’s truly their own.

Arts & Culture

Saturday, June 15th – Remember playing with LEGO’s as a kid? Well, prepare to have your mind blown this weekend at Discovery Times Square. It’s, “Art Of The Brick” the critically acclaimed collection of art constructed using only LEGO toy bricks is presented by renowned contemporary artist Nathan Sawaya. Guests will have the opportunity to get an up-close and in-person view of the iconic, pop culture fan favorite, “Yellow”, a life-size sculpture of a man ripping his chest open with thousands of yellow LEGO bricks pouring out. (Art Of The Brick)

Sports

Sunday, June 16th – Show your dad how much you love him on Father’s Day by taking him to Citi Field for a great afternoon at the ballpark to see your New York Mets take on the Chicago Cubs. And hey, while your at it buy him a few beers and wait on line at Shake Shack for burgers. He deserves it! (New York Mets)

Music & Entertainment

Friday, June 14th – Movie release day. Quiet night tonight? Check out the films opening this weekend. Prepare for cinematic calamities at the movies this weekend! Join Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, James Franco, Danny McBride and Jay Baruchel all playing themselves in the extremely over the top apocalyptic comedy, “This Is The End” (R). Trust us, it’s both funny and super gross at the same time! Superman returns to the silver screen this weekend in, “Man Of Steel” (PG-13). Will newcomer Henry Cavill don the blue tights and soar, or will Krytonite stop this film in it’s tracks. Head to the cinema and find out for yourself!  

Saturday, June 15th – If you want to feel the hot breath of punk rock history in your face, then get your butt to the Bowery Ballroom on Saturday night to behold the presence of the, “Subhumans!” The classic U.K. outfit embodies everything you love about the early eighties punk movement, without a drop of that pop garbage thrown in. Oi Oi Oi!  (Bowery Ballroom)

Nightlife

Saturday, June 15th – Summer is truly here y’all! Saturday night marks the grand opening of the rooftop at The Yotel Hotel. The sprawling venue in the sky will be your weekend destination for crazy partying with Dj Big Ben and Jeffrey Choi spinning Open Format, Top 40, and House. As always get there early if you’re not on the list! (Yotel Hotel)

Other

Friday, June 14th – Sunday, June 16th – The Northside Festival returns to it’s Brooklyn confines for 2013. From now until June 20th you will have the chance to expose yourself to over 350 bands, 50 films and over 70 speakers. This is a huge event to find out what’s next in the creative arts space. (Northside Festival)

Saturday, June 15th – Brooklyn may have the most popular outdoor markets going right now. But that all may change after this weekend. The inaugural, “LIC Flea & Food” market kicks off on Saturday featuring the best food vendors in Queens, antiques, collectibles, art, crafts, fashion and more. While you shop and sip, you’ll have the Manhattan skyline to gaze upon and truly fall in love with this market! (LIC Flea & Food)

And as Always, Droid users- make sure to Download the official LocalBozo.com App for FREE from Google Play (formerly the Android Market)! Get all the information we can fit onto your smart phone, NOW!

A sold out night at the Bowery Ballroom Thursday night was packed with a room filled with mellowed out rock fans, set to welcome Hawaii’s surfer-turned musican Donavon Frankenreiter on a rainy New York City evening. Despite a moniker that fails to roll off the tongue, the mustached frontman led his bandmates on stage and a sea of his loyal and local fans through a ninety minute set comprising elements of rock, folk, and an influx of blues during the enigmatic singer’s captivating performance.

Any research on Frankenreiter will tell you that the artist is a long time friend of melodic crooner Jack Johnson. But the sentiment does a bit of a disservice to Frankenreiter himself, who deserves his own share of the spotlight. Pleasantly, his live show rocks much harder than the more relaxed guitar and banjo strums on his studio albums would indicate, evidenced by the constantly moving and passionate crowd as the Sanuk Summer Tour kicked off on this night. And perhaps best of all, he’s all about affording other artists an opportunity by giving bands the chance to win an opening slot at each stop on the tour, alongside support from two-piece throwback outfit Mia Dyson. Long before he would take centerstage, Frankenreiter could be found outside the venues doors, posing for pictures and chatting up some of his amped up fans.

The show’s late 10:45pm start was fitting in that the audience had plenty of time to do some pre-show drinking at each of the Ballroom’s three separate bars in the multi-level space. Donning a black fedora and skinny red pants, Frankenreiter casually strutted on stage just after the lights went down opening with an outstanding trio of “Same Lullaby,” “What’cha Know About,” and the folksy “Heading Home.” Leading his four piece band, the group alternated between acoustic and electric numbers, throwing in a saxophone, banjo, and harmonica solo along the way for good measure. Musically, Frankenreiter’s brand of feel good songs bring a smile to your face almost immediately with an easygoing simplicity that makes so much of his music easy to resonate with. Despite a majority of his catalog revolving around a laid back and tranquil feel, several times throughout the show Frankenreiter’s skills as a guitar player were utterly eye opening, resulting from solos that would make even the most ardent rock fan proud.

With much of the crowd sporting fake mustaches in support of the singer’s facial hair, Donavon Frankenreiter took them on a musical journey, with sounds reminiscent of sitting comfortably on a sunny beach, drinking a daiquiri, and listening to some soothing guitar strums- much like we’d envision the artist’s life to be when off the road. While tracks like “West Coast Fool” and “Lovely Day” paced the 17 song set, the familiar “Free” was a particularly rousing tune with his loyal fans singing along in unison. But the evening’s most inspired moment brought three lucky fans on stage with the frontman for “It Don’t Matter,” leading a hushed crowd through the song’s catchy as all get out chorus, a cappella style. Watching Frankenreiter, he seemed to be having as much fun watching his fans sing his signature tune as they were to be up there singing them. In actuality though, it was those of us that had the opportunity to watch him perform on this night that truly had the best time of all.

- Jane Van Arsdale

Arts & Culture

Friday, May 24th – A night at the movies doesn’t have to be cookie cutter anymore with the help of Rooftop Films. Tonight check out short films about people, babies and bunnies trapped in unusual situations, with dark dramas, weird comedies and even more surreal documentaries set to confound and astonish. (Rooftop Films)

Sports

Monday, May 27th – Spend your Memorial Day at Citi Field to see your New York Mets face, well your New York Yankees! It’s a subway series going down on one of America’s grandest holiday’s. Bring the family out to the ballpark for some seriously fun times and don’t forget the hot dogs! (New York Mets)

Music & Entertainment

Friday, May 24th – Movie release day. Quiet night tonight? Check out the films opening this Memorial weekend. Are you ready to team up with the Wolf Pack for one last drunken adventure? We thought you would say yes! “The Hangover Part III” (R) has Alan, Stu, and Phil returning to where the trilogy started for a balls out adventure that bodyslams everything we know about this extremely nutty franchise. “Fast & Furious 6″ (Pg-13) may have something to do with fast cars and crime fighting, but you’ll have to head to the theater yourself to find out. Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson all return for this high gear thrill ride! |

Sunday, May 26th – Monday, May 27th -  Sony Music Nashville recording artist Angie Johnson (featured on NBC’s “The Voice”), the USO Show Troupe and The Callbacks will put on exciting performances during a Memorial Day Weekend celebration titled, “Summer Salute to Hereos” at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on Pier 86. Use this weekend to truly pay tribute to the men and women of our armed services who have given everything for our freedom! (Intrepid Museum)

Nightlife

Saturday, May 25th – This Memorial Day weekend your allowed to take a break from it all! So why not get your head, “Up in the Clouds” at Rain Tea House! There will be dancing, celebration, photography, exuberance, visual art installations, specialty cocktails, delightful decor, surprises and of course clouds. Any more description and it would be a Stefan skit from SNL! (Zero Presents)

Other

Saturday, May 25th – Are you a soccer fantantic or just looking for some amazing plans for Memorial Day weekend? Well friends, the good people at Blaue Gans can satisfy both cravings with a larger than life event. It’s the, “Champions League Final Viewing Party!” Ticket holders will be able to witness Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund go head to head on the field while feeling like they are actually there thanks to the restaurant’s big screen and large projectors. While you root on your favorite team be prepared to dig into unlimited oysters, currywurst, champagne, and outstanding German brew, Radeberger Pilsner. Tickets are going fast, so act now! If you don’t you’ll get a red card! (Blaue Gans)

And as Always, Droid users- make sure to Download the official LocalBozo.com App for FREE from Google Play (formerly the Android Market)! Get all the information we can fit onto your smart phone, NOW!

The Bowery’s illustrious music history dates back to the emergence of punk rock’s initial movement, in the grittier grimier New York City of yesteryear whose iconic visuals coupled with the influential sounds emanating from the neighborhood- from inside of CBGB’s hallowed halls- so vividly inspired a preponderance of modern musical acts that would follow. But Tuesday evening, the area would play host to a different style of music entirely, but one that shares the same unrepentant attitude of the music scene in 1970’s New York. It’s been said that as time lapses and as we fondly look back on the emergence of musicians, hip hop music has become the new blues of our time. If that’s the case, while country music may not have always enjoyed a permanent home here in Manhattan, Shooter Jennings proved that his form of ‘black country’ may just have corralled the raw and in-your-face sound that once inspired what rock music originally used to represent.

With support from openers East River Bandits and crooner Daniel Romano, Jennings and his bandmates confidently strode out to centerstage sharply at 10:30pm. The 100 minute set that would follow focused a good deal on March’s latest release “The Good Life,” but encompassed the no frills approach to playing music that is Jennings’ signature- he lets his talent talk for itself. Outfitted in a fitting black t-shirt that read “Heavy Fucking Metal,” the bearded Jennings removed his black sunglasses only momentarily during the show to wipe the sweat from the eyes underneath his scraggily long dark hair. The frontman is hardly aligned to a signature sound, evidenced by 2009’s foray into an experimental psychedelic rock album “Black Ribbons,” but the brunt of Tuesday night’s show was a lesson in the singer’s musicianship ranging from throwback country ballads (the excellent “Sweet Savannah”), foot stomping odes to lost love (“Manifesto No. 1), and a dose of some heavy (“Mama, It’s Just My Medicine”).

But Shooter Jennings is purely at his finest when his grizzled voice manhandles the traditional country style songs that would have made his father Waylon so infinitely proud, of which tracks like “Wild and Lonesome” and “Gone to Carolina” were particularly indicative. Meanwhile, hits like the aggressive “Outlaw You” and the catchy, rocking version of “4th of July” awoke a relatively stoic crowd awaiting to cherry-pick the vocals on some of his tracks, before the softer but wonderfully melodic rendition of “The Deed and The Dollar” led toward the conclusion of the band’s main set.

Kicking off the encore with the synthesizer-laden “Wake Up” was a bit of an odd departure from the crux of the band’s main set because of its dark avant-garde type feel, but if Jennings has taught his fans anything, it’s a certain element of unexpectedness. It was thus only fitting that he end the show with new track “The Gunslinger,” which features a slow building, almost baritone Jennings progressing toward a defiant chorus of ‘You wanna run your mouth all day long / You better keep your mouth on my mother fucking trigger finger.’ Perhaps what makes Shooter Jennings so captivating is the perception of uncertain danger he seems to elicit. He may not be the stereotypical clean cut, smiling country music star that somehow uses some generic slang and his southern twang to sellout a full-fledged stadium tour. Instead he keeps true to himself and true to his familial roots and with each passing performance, Shooter Jennings’ uncompromising approach proves that he’s made the right decision.

- Jane Van Arsdale

On the heels of the January release of their second studio effort “Arc,” British indie band Everything Everything met a sold out crowd of their New York City fans within the intimate confines of the Bowery Ballroom on Monday night. After a successful show at Williamsburg’s Brooklyn Bowl just days earlier, the band seemed genuinely ignited by the passionate Manhattan audience from the moment the four piece outfit took center stage.

If you’re unfamiliar with Everything Everything, you’re certainly not alone, despite the band’s penchant for performing live and a reputation that seems to be generating more and more buzz with each passing day. The band sports a distinctive blend that meshes high pitched- almost falsetto level vocals- with a kind of synth beats that brings us back to the days of 1980s pop music. But labeling them in that regard would do the band and their fans an injustice, because of the fact that the music that they are creating just seems to be so completely unique.

Backed by a collaborative pink and purple infusion of lights behind them, Everything Everything pulled out all the stops during a 16 song set that combined all of the signature elements from their first two albums. Opening with cuts like the haunting “Undrowned” and “Torso of the Week,” the band’s different pitches of harmonies worked brilliantly between bandmates in unison while their steady mix of guitar streams and infectious keys delivered their brand of slow-building melancholy rock that indie fans tend to salivate over. And fans lucky enough to be inside of a sold out Ballroom on this night certainly did.

While tracks like familiar single “Kemosabe” revved up an already surprisingly bouncy crowd, frontman Jonathan Higgs’ exceptional work on a rousing version of “Duet” blew the roof off the joint. The catchy, slow building soft melody and isolated instrumentals built toward an intense all out rock breakdown, with much of the standing room only floor jumping along to Michael Spearman’s pronounced drum beats, as the rest of the band egged us on. Other highlights included the stop and start energy of “Sufragette Sufragette,” the blistering bassline heavy “Cough Cough,” and the funky, jazzed up “MY KZ, UR BF.” The audience meanwhile, had a hard time keeping it together as the evening drew to a close with songs like “Radiant” and a poppy rendition of “Don’t Try” leading to a dance party of sorts as the show reached its conclusion.

Everything Everything may not be for everyone. But their musicianship and creativity in experimenting with a cavalcade of different sounds is as undeniable as their successes to date thus far in their still budding journey. Any fan inside of a sold out crowd at Bowery Ballroom on Monday night will agree- this is likely to be just the beginning for rock’s next big indie.

- Jane Van Arsdale