My final night at the Bushwick Music Festival began at the Opera House, where Fuck Yeah Yankee Bang Bang (picture below) played fun, poppy rock, featuring Sita Asar and Glenn Baughman harmonizing on vocals and Sean Spada on keys.
Bartholomew (picture below) performed next, a moody blend of folk, country, and rock. Bill Bartholomew’s soulful vocals intertwined with Dave Klym’s melodic guitar solos created a catchy, distinct sound. The band’s often simple but dynamic melodies, strong energy and solid rhythm made for a personal, engaging set, especially captivating toward the end with songs “Walk On By” and “One Big Wheel.”
The Louisiana Sun Kings played at 9:30, a metal band with a petite female singer, Noelle Tannen. They had quick tempos and flashy riffs, but it was Tannen’s energy – dancing, twirling, rolling on the floor, singing into the audience – that charmed the crowd.
I then went to Eastern District and caught the end of Food Will Win the War (in the picture). Despite a seven-member strong lineup of two guitars, two keyboards, violin, bass and drums, they had a sparse, acoustic sound we truly enjoyed. The Last Nights played next, a trio comprised of a two-octave Korg controller and laptop, cello and guitar. Several of their songs had danceable electronic drum beats, and others were more minimal. The cello’s bass line sometimes provided the beat, often underneath haunting minor-key melodies.
I arrived House of Yes around midnight, during a flashy drum solo by Justin Ahiyon of Consider the Source (picture below). A progressive instrumental jam band consisting of a double-neck fretless guitar, drums and bass, they had unusual time signatures, complex riffs and tight chemistry.
I hustled to Bushwick Music Studios to catch a theatrical set by Not Blood, Paint. With skin covered in black handprints and all four band members wearing fur coats and shorts, they gave a cinematic, captivating performance that had the packed audience dancing, singing and howling wildly along to their dynamic, catchy songs.
The night ended around 4 a.m., with sets by U Say USA (picture above), a Dylan-inspired pop-rock band, and finally The Nuclears, a high-energy, Zeppelin-esque rock band.-Vivian Doskow