 |
| Dynamic duo of Girlpool |
Third time's a charm seeing Girlpool. This time they played a much larger venue and had a back-up band which was an interesting addition to amplify their sound. Openers Lexie came out which was fronted by Greta Kline of Frankie Cosmos and Cleo played the drums. They were selling really cute home-made merch of pins and cards. Greta was so sweet and complimented my Girlpool shirt "Before the World was Big" at the merch stand. After Lexie was Hardly Art's Ian Sweet, a band I missed my chance of seeing in September of 2016. They were pretty good! I can't get over how tiny Jillian is though!
Cleo and Harmony sounded even tighter this evening with the back-up band. They played so many old favorites (Emily, Before the World Was Big) but most off of the new album Powerplant. After the venue myself and some friends met Jillian and Cleo, it was amazing. I purchased the first Girlpool EP along with their new album. Cleo and Harmony signed their EP for me and signed other things as well for fans. Cleo was super nice and talked with a new concert friend we made outside of the venue. It was endearing. Definitely would go see them again.
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.
