From June 14-21, Brooklyn hosted the annual, Northside Festival (organized by The L Mag) which involved over 350 bands, 50 films, and 120 panelists throughout 60+ venues. Although I got off to a late start, as the music portion began the 14th, I got my fair share of the offerings. A band from “just down the street,” Clouder, began the night at Trash Bar with their psych-garage rock formulations. Immediately following, W.A.L.N.U.T.S impressed with Dylan Robert’s powerful pipes and vocal range atop upbeat and feel-good styling. Power-walking to The Charleston, atmospheric Estrostratus and punky The Black Black blew out the venue’s basement ceiling with piercing guitars and rambunctious drums. Back at Trash Bar, The Gypsy West (pictured and streaming below), who also “curated” the show, stood out with intriguing melodies and harmonies of lead vocalist/guitarist, Alex Giorgetti, and bassist Andrew McCarthy’s nuanced vocals. Giorgetti’s elaborate guitar work carried the band into moments of psychedelia, jazz, grunge, funk, and heavy rock, creating an outstanding fusion and listening experience. The three piece will be at Bowery Electric on August 4 and should not be missed! The night maintained its high with the explosive and theatrical New Madrid, who kept the adrenaline pumping to the very last note with their “rock en Espanol.” —Meijin Bruttomesso
