After a few days of spring-like temperatures here in the city, not even a freak thunderstorm could keep fans of The Dig away from Music Hall of Williamsburg on Saturday for their album-release, hometown show. It’s been a quite a while since I last saw the band perform, unveiling their newest songs on a stage probably 1/3rd the size of tonight’s. But just as the stage grew in size, so did their songs – swelling to fill the cavernous space.
Along for the ride were two opening acts, however. Old Fashioned Bleeding Hearts, the 4 piece that the member of The Dig dubbed as “one of their favorite bands,” took the stage first to open the show. The moat-like space directly in front of the stage filled quickly with fans eager to hear what they had to offer, and they offered lo-fi & passionate tunes, armed with heartfelt lyrics and vocals from nearly all the band members.
Old Fashioned Bleeding Hearts
Old Fashioned Bleeding Hearts
Old Fashioned Bleeding Hearts
Old Fashioned Bleeding Hearts
Old Fashioned Bleeding Hearts
The second act of the night was Minneapolis band, Communist Daughter. The band, anchored by lead vocals from husband and wife duo Johnny Solomon and Molly Moore, showcased a wide variety of songs, both upbeat and mellow. One standout was “Keep Moving,” a slow burner from their last release, The Cracks That Walls Built, which hit me right in the feels.
Communist Daughter
Communist Daughter
Communist Daughter
Communist Daughter
As for The Dig, their set, comprised mostly of selections from their latest album, Bloodshot Tokyo, served to win everyone over within a pink-hued haze of smoke. Emile Mosseri and David Baldwin, taking turns on lead vocals as usual, and they’ve never sounded better. I’ve been listening to the album since I received that bubblegum pink vinyl in the mail, and the songs absolutely come alive when played live.
The Dig
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Throughout the night, spontaneous pockets of people dancing with reckless abandon took over, much to everyone’s delight. The songs were infectious, and to up the ante, keyboardist Erick Eiser threw shiny black wigs to the audience to don for their song “Jet Black Hair.” Drummer Mark Demiglio wasted little time placing one onto his head to rock out. Older songs like “I Already Forget Everything You Said,” and “Black Water” found their way into the set list and blended in seamlessly, proving this latest batch of songs is very much a natural progression for the band.
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The Dig
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With an epic night of tunes, both new and old, behind us, The Dig proved they are more than here to stay. They are one of the best bands out of NY, and my advice to you is to catch them live as soon as you can. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
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The Dig
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The Dig
Article: Lesley Keller
