BabyJake
American singer and rapper Jake Herring, known professionally as BabyJake, transported audiences at Racket NYC to 1970s rockstar heaven with his electrifying performance on September 22nd. Currently on a national tour, Herring was first known for his urban country-pop style, deftly transitioning from rap verses to vocals in his popular single, “Cigarettes on Patios,” and debut album, Don’t give me problems, give me wine.
ZHU
Grammy-nominated artist, ZHU, brought a celestial spectacle to the Brooklyn Mirage for three days, playing a sold-out show on Friday night. Known for his innovative approach to music and visually captivating performances, ZHU combined electronic beats and jazz rhythms with the help of a surprise appearance from special guest, Trombone Shorty. Zhu is known for pushing the boundaries of electronic music and crafting visually captivating performances and this performance matched all those expectations and more.
Neighbor
When having a conversation with your fellow neighbor, you might hear conventional phonetic phrases like “Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, And Good Night.” However, going to see a Neighbor show turns coresident speech into an all out jam fest where bluesy grooves and pure body language dominate the dance floor. This past Friday at Brooklyn Bowl was no different, as the band headlined there for the first time, accompanied by another up and coming psychedelic jam band, Baked Shrimp.
Tim Atlas
Alternative singer, Tim Atlas, brought down the house with a sold out performance at The Mercury Lounge on September 15th. This show was the second stop on his tour and close to his heart as he has recently resided in Brooklyn. Atlas released his debut album in 2013 and has been making music ever since. His newest release, Le Soir, a six song album that came out in 2023, is also the title of his headline tour.
Melt
New York may be a big city, but it can also feel like a small town. Melt, a powerful indie-soul group composed of NYC natives, will be bringing all the small town feel to the big city this Friday, September 15th, at Brooklyn Steel. The band started in 2017 as a high school project, and has since developed a dynamic sound and amassed an enthusiastic fan base.
Octave Cat
Octave Cat took the stage at the Brooklyn Bowl on a late August night, displaying highly developed synthetic precision and good old fashioned percussive sensitivity. The members took the floor: Eli Winderman on the bongos, piano, and mono synthesizer; Jesse Miller on bass and modular synthesizer; and Charlie Patierno drumming away on the ones, twos, threes, fours, and mores. Combining balanced synth tones with bouncing bass lines and a tight backbeat, the stage quickly gave way to a dance floor on a tight run through “The Epicurean.” The masterful Moog solos, the punctuated Prodigy pinpoints, and the sweeping bass set an exploratory, colorful tone for the night.
Telescreens
The Telescreens may be young, but they’re rising on a fast trajectory to stardom. Based out of New York, the four piece band includes Jackson Hamm (vocals and guitar), Austin Brenner (bass), Josiah Valerius (keys and synth), and Oliver Graf (drums). The Telescreens’ sound is classic rock with a twist, made unique by their alternative addition of keys and synth.
grentperez
As the sun set on a perfect evening in Central Park, grentperez performed a vibey, hour-long set for a joyous crowd. The singer/songwriter’s blend of jazz and indie always evokes a warm feeling and by the end, our cheeks hurt from smiling so much. The band seemed to feel the energy too, dancing along with us at Central Park’s SummerStage.
Altin Gün
Netherlands-based band, Altin Gün, has reached audiences across the world with their psychedelic, disco-laced reinterpretations of traditional Turkish folk songs. We got to see the Turkish-Dutch ensemble bring their signature 1970s psychedelia to Brooklyn Steel, one of many stops on their big North American tour.
Stolen Gin
Having started out as a couple of college guys playing music at NYU rooftop parties, Stolen Gin has blossomed into one of the buzziest jam bands on the scene. The dance-funk quintet is known for its high-energy live acts and avid improvisation which have cemented them as ones to look out for.
