.girlpool

I spent part of my Easter Break in New York going to a Girlpool show at Market Hotel. I met up with my Sleater-Kinney friends Amy and Laura to attend. The last time I was in the city was December for the S-K shows. Long overdue! Feels like I bought tickets forever ago. They played two shows since the first one sold out pretty quickly. I attended the first show. Before the show we had a busy day of eats at Cinnamon Snail, bumping into Torres at Dun-Well Donuts (but being too shy to say hi), record shopping at Rough Trade, pizza and late night hangs.

As Amy and I entered the venue we were amazed at how tiny it was! The back of the stage contained a window where you can watch the trains pass by and the bands have to go up the side of the stage to perform. There were a bunch of opening bands. We nabbed spots behind the people up front arriving only 10 minutes before doors! The venue was so dark my pictures did not turn out that great. Luckily I nabbed this one and another on my Instagram. Opening bands were Palberta (the verdict is still out if I loved it or thought it was too over-my-head), LVL Up, and Told Slant. Told Slant are playing with The Hotelier in Philly and New York. I would like to attend both shows. Girlpool didn't go on until close to 11. Harmony and Cleo were more amazing live than on their album. Is this even possible? The power of two voices and guitars. It's pretty basic but the formula works. They played my favorites (Ideal World, Before the World Was Big, Cherry Picking) so I was happy. Their on stage banter was adorable. They joked Mr. Kiwi must be rocking out below (grocery store below Market Hotel). They will be at the Asbury Park Music Festival in September. I'd love to see them again.