Live Review: Silver Synthetic 8/14/25 Union Pool Brooklyn, NY

Silver Synthetic 

8/14/25 Union Pool Brooklyn, NY

It has been four years since the New Orleans, LA based outfit Silver Synthetic played NYC and on a hot summer night in August they returned to the same venue as four years ago, Union Pool in Brooklyn. Over that time the band has evolved, and the receptive crowd on Thursday night supported the group's return.

Album Review: Yuno - Blest

Hey all, got a review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here:

It is of the debut full length album from Yuno on Sub Pop, Blest. 

Support the artist, buy the album, read the review and peep some video below:

CBGB Festival Announced for September 27th in Brooklyn with Iggy Pop, Jack White and many more

The Bowery Presents has put together the upcoming CBGB Festival and it is a doozy.

Icons from Iggy Pop to Jimmy G will be hitting the stage as the great lineup was announced today.

Live Review: The Hard Quartet - Live 3/28/25 Warsaw Brooklyn, NYC

The Hard Quartet 

Live 3/28/25 Warsaw

Brooklyn, NYC

On a calm spring night in New York City, The Hard Quartet pulled into their hometown supporting their excellent debut, self-titled release. Opening the night were Loosey and Sharp Pins, who unfortunately RtBE missed, however the headliners had the house mostly filled when they took the stage around 10pm.

Live Review: Jack White - Live at Brooklyn Paramount 2/12/25

Jack White

Live at Brooklyn Paramount 2/12/25

Having caught Jack White at the intimate Irving Plaza just two days before, his Wednesday night, sold-out show at the gorgeous Brooklyn Paramount had a lot to live up to. With the way Jack and the band is currently playing though, that shouldn't have even been a worry as the group surpassed Monday's concert and let it all hang out for this gig. 

Live Review: Galactic - Brooklyn Bowl, NYC 1/31/25

Hey all, got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'Here!!!

It is of Galactic's recent live show Friday night January 31st at Brooklyn Bowl. 

Support the artist, read the review and peep some video below:

Album Review: Bill Frisell, Andrew Cyrille and Kit Downes - Breaking The Shell

Bill Frisell, Andrew Cyrille and Kit Downes

Breaking The Shell

*** out of *****

The trio of Bill Frisell, Andrew Cyrille and Kit Downes came together to record Breaking The Shell for Red Hook Records, at the historic St. Luke's In The Fields church in New York City's Greenwich Village. This unique setting inspired the artists, as did the church's large pipe organ. The resulting experimental jazz album, hums, buzz's and bang's as the avantgarde playing from the trio reverberates off the historic walls.

Album Review: Brass Queens - Hot Tub Sessions Vol. 1

Brass Queens

Hot Tub Sessions Vol. 1

**** out of *****

The Brooklyn based, brass band outfit, Brass Queens continue their evolution with their first collection of all original tunes titled, Hot Tub Sessions Vol. 1. It is their strongest release so far. 

Live Review: They Might Be Giants - 12/13/24 Kings Theater Brooklyn, NY

They Might Be Giants

12/13/24 Kings Theater 

Brooklyn, NY

The Brooklyn based They Might Be Giants had a huge homecoming show this past Friday Night, December 6th as their "Big Show Tour" made a stop at the gorgeous King's Theatre just south of Prospect Park. The sold-out crowd consisted of parents with kids, hipsters and music nerds as this tour finds the two John's (Linell and Flansburgh) leading a large band, playing two sets per night (no opening act), while focusing on one of their classic albums.  

Year In Review 2024 - Favorite Live Shows

The live show is a slippery thing. There are lots of variables at play, most having little to do with the performance itself. Does the venue have enough bathrooms? Is it going to rain? What day of the week is it on? Did I have a shitty day at work before hand? Did tickets cost waaay too much? All of this can alter one's opinion of a live show before the band even tunes up and with reason. However, when the stars align, there is no place RtBE would rather be than in the moment of magic occurring spontaneously from the stage.

Live Music Has No Equal!

Taken By The Fantastic Megan Donohue

While obviously we can't see every show that is out there, we try to get out often to catch live music. Sure there are a few left in the calendar year, but for now, here is a listing of the best concerts we were fortunate enough to have caught in 2024.

There are links to show reviews in the titles, also because who doesn't love arbitrary rankings, one show at the bottom took the top prize as RtBE's 2024 Favorite Live Show. 

Live Review: The Hold Steady - Massive Nights 12/6/24 Brooklyn Bowl Williamsburg, NY

Hey all, got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'Here!!!

It is of the live show, Massive Nights by The Hold Steady. This is the ninth year of Massive Nights and RtBE have been to them all. This might have been the best musically as the band seemed to be really in synch and clicking.

Support the artists, read the review and peep some video below:

 

Full Show Friday: Phoenix - Brooklyn Steel July 9th, 2018

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's. These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...Phoenix!

Phoenix performed live from Brooklyn Steel for Pitchfork Live on July 9th, 2018.

Pro shot, Pro Sound, Full Set List Below. Enjoy!

0:37 J-Boy 4:21 Lasso 7:42 Entertainment 11:47 Lisztomania 15:59 Trying To Be Cool 20:14 Long Distance Call 23:40 Role Model 28:33 Rally 32:31 Too Young 33:45 Girlfriend 37:25 Sunskrupt 45:50 Lovelife 48:57 Ti Amo 52:57 Armistice 56:13 Rome 1:00:57 If I Ever Feel Better 1:08:35 Playground Love 1:15:55 Telefono 1:20:40 Fior Di Latte 1:24:45 1901 1:28:37 Ti Amo Di Piu

Live Review: Fantastic Cat @ Brooklyn Made June 7th

Hey all, got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right Chere!!!

It is of Fantastic Cat's record release show on Friday night June 7th at Brooklyn Made in Bushwick. 

The overarching feeling all night was fun, as the band was clearly living it up, as were the family and friends in the audience. RtBE loved Fantastic Cat's debut album, ranking it in our top five favorites of 2022, and will have a review of their newest up on the site soon.  

Support the band, buy the album, read the review and watch some video below from the band playing the next morning on NBC:

Live Review: Dumpstaphunk - Brooklyn Bowl 5/18/24 NYC

Hey all, got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right Chere!!!

It is of Dumpstaphunk live at Brooklyn Bowl on 5/18/24.

 

Have seen the band a few times this month and this was the best of the bunch. 

Support the artists, read the review and peep some video of the band live below:

Earthless Announces April Tour with Minami Deutsch

The stoner-rock/jam-metal San Diego based outfit Earthless have just announced a Spring tour with Minami Deutsch.

They will be pulling into NYC on 4/20 at Elsewhere in Brooklyn. RtBE will be in attendance, as Earthless are a favorite of ours.  We have seen the band and reviewed their records, rating them highly.

Pumped to catch them live again, to get in the mood here is a tune from the band. 

Album Review: The Headhunters - Live from Brooklyn Bowl

The Headhunters

Live From Brooklyn Bowl

*** out of *****

The legendary funk/jazz/fusion outfit The Headhunters are still at it, with original members Bill Summers (percussion) and Mike Clark (drums) leading the band on a 50th anniversary world tour in 2023. To commemorate this milestone the group recorded their stop at Brooklyn Bowl in early January, releasing this live album. 

While nowhere near essential, Live From Brooklyn Bowl is a testimony to this bands grooving ways. Herbie Hancock is not present but the original members are supported by some of the best doing it today with the legend himself Donald Harrison playing alto sax, the energetic Kyle Roussel (Preservation Hall Jazz Band) on keys, and Chris Severin (Dr. John) holding down the bass. This core, some of New Orleans finest, pumps lively energy into all the tracks presented here. 

The funky big bass and percussion opens the live album with "Four String Drive" as Harrison's alto work is magical, shining with majestic power., a mid song break and piano solo to close kicks things off proper. "Rocking In The Mole House" from the band's 2022 release Speakers In The House, starts off with Roussel's soft piano intro and you can hear the bowling balls hitting the pins, a reoccurring theme whenever the band gets quite, pulling attention away from the music, but certainly speaking to the time and place.       

After some introductions Harrison again shines with a solo on "Headhunters Jam" while "Butterfly" is smooth jazz that flirts with easy listening before percussion and piano kick up the energy to end. The band's classic "Watermelon Man" is smooth as silk as the group expertly delivers the goods while "Loft Funk" is a solo showcase highlighted by Severin's bass outings and Clark's drumming. 

Editing on the album is a bit odd as the group fades into a energetic version of "Chameleon" with the spritely funk kicking around the venue while the fantastic show closing "Hey Pocky A-way" also fades out with Harrison still in full vocals flight. These editing choices and the random crash of pins makes this release feel just a step above a fan recording, but when The Headhunters are in full flight on Live From Brooklyn Bowl the energy is palpable and worth seeking out.  

___________________

Support the artists, buy the album see them live (like we did in October) and peep some video below:

Full Show Friday: Wilco - Live From Brooklyn Steel - 10/13/2019 - Brooklyn, NY

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's. These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...Wilco!

RtBE ends our Full Show Friday series for 2023 with Wilco - Live From Brooklyn Steel - 10/13/2019 - Brooklyn, NY. Enjoy!

01 - Bright Leaves - 02:04 02 - Before Us - 3:31 03 - Company In My Back - 7:02 04 - War On War - 11:03 05 - One and a Half Stars - 14:35 06 - Handshake Drugs - 18:44 07 - You and I - 25:18 08 -  Hummingbird - 28:48 Comedy act by Jeff - 32:26 09 - Someone to Lose - 33:48 10 - White Wooden Cross - 37:38 11 - Via Chicago - 41:00 12 - Laminated Cat - 46:35 13 - Random Name Generator - 53:58 14 - On and on and On - 58:19 15 - We Were Lucky - 1:02:50 16 - Love Is Everywhere (Beware) - 1:08:05 Comedy act by Jeff - 1:11:49 17 - Impossible Germany - 1:12:42 18 - Box Full of Letters - 1:22:00 Comedy act by Jeff - 1:25:24 19 - Everyone Hides - 1:26:22 20 - I’m Always in Love - 1:29:40 21 - Heavy Metal Drummer - 1:34:04 22 - I’m the Man Who Loves You - 1:37:10 Comedy act by Jeff - 1:41:30 23 - Hold Me Anyway - 1:43:01 24 - Misunderstood - 1:47:20 Encore 25 - En Empty Corner - 1:56:20 26 - Red-Eyed and Blue - 2:01:44 27 - I Got You (At the End of the Century) - 2:04:04 28 - Outta Mind (Outta Sight) - 2:07:57 29 - I’m a Wheel - 2:10:49

Album Review: Sonic Youth - Live in Brooklyn 2011

Sonic Youth

Live in Brooklyn 2011

**** out of *****

The final US show the fantastic Sonic Youth ever played is captured on this special release as the August 12th 2011 Williamsburg, NYC Waterfront set from the noise rock legends is now available on vinyl from Silver Current Records. 

Having attended this show, which at the time no one knew would be the bands last, there was a sense of something special in the air. The previous few years found the band revisiting past albums with strong shows, but this career ranging affair was unique and powerfully played. Lovingly captured here, this gorgeous night from the hometown band will now live on. 

The setlist was created by drummer Steve Shelley and as he explains it:

“This show was a culmination of a run of really special outdoor summertime shows in New York City for us, starting in ’92 with Summerstage in Central Park when we played with Sun Ra. For the Williamsburg Waterfront show I wrote out the set list to present to the band and it was a lot of material we hadn’t played in a while, a lot of deep cuts, so I wasn’t sure if everybody would feel like doing it. After worrying about which songs the band might say yes or no to, I threw those concerns out the window and I just made a list of songs that I thought would be a great set. We practiced the week of the show at our space in Hoboken and put the set together. First we’d try and make sure we had a guitar in the song’s tuning, then we’d try to remember the arrangement and try and put it together, sometimes re-learning bar by bar. In the end I think the whole song list made it through. Even as early as ’86 and ’87 we stopped playing ‘Death Valley 69’ and ‘Brave Men Run’ with any regularity. We’d just get excited about new material coming into the set and songs would get ‘retired’ and wouldn’t get played again for years. So on this particular night in Brooklyn a lot of those retired songs and deep cuts got dusted off and played for this show. It turned out to be a pretty special event with a really special song list.”

The band (Kim Gordon - voc, gtr Mark Ibold - Bass Thurston Moore - voc, gtr Lee Ranaldo - voc, gtr Steve Shelley - drums) tore into this old material right off the bat with that combo of "Brave Men Run (In My Family) > "Death Valley ’69" deploying scratchy layers of guitars, feedback, rumbling low end, and desperate vocals to recall the groups early noise days with passion and energy. 

Another old warhorse noise number "Kotton Krown" found Moore singing the prophetic words for this night, "New York City is forever, kitty I'm wasted in time and you're never ready Fading, fading, celebrating". Shelley puts his powerful drums to work with the head banging "Kill Yr. Idols" while Ranaldo gets the crowd revved up to go on "Eric's Trip". The muscle car guitars and motoring sounds continue for "Sacred Trickster", the cataclysmic "Calming The Snake", and the grooving "What We Know" all off of the bands final album (the underrated The Eternal), these were the newest song played on this evening, yet all fit in with the deep cuts/classics wonderfully.    

Speaking of deep cuts, "Starfield Road" is up next with crushing bass from Ibold, while the free jazz gets rolled out for the extended screeching and pounding of old school tunes "I Love Her All The Time" and "Ghost Bitch" from the early days of SY. The slow burn of "Tom Violence" builds with sexy power while the unhinged screaming guitars and Gordon's strong vocals slam on "Drunken Butterfly" ending the main set of tunes. 

The encores on this night were special as the group continued to delve into their past with feminist force of "Flower" and a rare "Psychic Heart" from Moore's solo career. Both were nice, but it was a gorgeous rendition of the band's "Sugar Kane" that really hit the sold out summer crowd squarely in the chest, the highlight of the whole night. 

Feeling extra giving the band returned for a second encore that saw them dig deep and unleash the chugging, noise rock blast of "Inhuman", ending the night, and basically their whole career, on loud clanging feedback, just the way these legends should.  

__________

On a personal note, Sonic Youth are one of our all-time favorite acts, and  RtBE has owned an audience taped copy of this show since it happened, so the music is well loved to these ears. It is nice to now own a soundboard recording on vinyl, but it is also bitter sweet as the band was still kicking ass at such a high artistic level when they broke up. It is another reminder, like with the recently broken up Screaming Females, enjoy this amazing music live while you can. 

Support the artists, buy the album and peep some video below:

Live Review: Dinosaur Jr. 12/7/23 @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, NYC

Hey all, got a review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here:

It is of Dinosaur Jr's recent show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn celebrating 30 years of Where You Been.

Lots of guests and a great night of tunes. Dinosaur Jr's original lineup returning in the mid 00's has been one of the best rock and roll comebacks ever. This night just continued the magic as it made our list of favorite shows from 2023.

Support the artists, read the review and peep some video below:

Year In Review 2023 - Favorite Live Shows

The live show is a slippery thing. There are lots of variables at play, most having little to do with the performance itself. Does the venue have enough bathrooms? Is it going to rain? What day of the week is it on? Did I have a shitty day at work before hand? Did tickets cost waaay too much? All of this can alter one's opinion of a live show before the band even tunes up and with reason. However, when the stars align, there is no place RtBE would rather be than in the moment of magic occurring spontaneously from the stage.

Live Music Has No Equal!

Taken By The Fantastic Megan Donohue

While obviously we can't see every show that is out there, we try to get out often to catch live music. Sure there are a few left in the calendar year, but for now, here is a listing of the best concerts we were fortunate enough to have caught in 2023.

There are links to show reviews in the titles, also because who doesn't love arbitrary rankings, one show at the bottom took the top prize as RtBE's 2023 Favorite Live Show.