PAN ARCADIA ROCK OUT AT BOWERY ELECTRIC

I walked into The Bowery Electric last week for my first indoor concert since venues shut their doors almost 16 months ago. The sound of amps crackling as instruments were being plugged in welcomed me in and the energy of excited crowd chatter got me emotional. Pan Arcadia, a Brooklyn based rock band, was set to play a last minute show they were asked to fill in for. This was only their second show since restrictions had been lifted and I could tell they were eager to perform.

As I hung out with the guys who made up Pan Arcadia back stage, they explained to me how most of them had known each other since they were teenagers. Vocalist Eamon Rush and guitarist Dylan Kelly have known each other since middle school detention. Dylan met bassist Henry McGrath in high school where they played basketball together. They met their other guitarist, Gabe Gonzalez, at a house party in 2019. Drummer Brian Duke was originally a last-minute fill-in found on Craigslist and Jimmy Brewer, who plays the trumpet, was discovered while playing his trumpet atop a lamp post in Washington Square Park.

Back in the main space of the venue, the room was filled with anticipation as five members of the six-piece band took the stage. The magical sound of a trumpet broke through the crowd chatter, capturing everyone’s attention. Jimmy made his entrance from the back of the venue, down the stairs and to the stage with the brass instrument in hand.

Pan Arcadia

I could tell this group, though they had all met at different times, had a connection that was sure to transfer to the stage and was proven right.

Pan Arcadia

They played a mixture of released and unreleased songs including their latest single, “In Vain,” that came out this past Friday. Their sound leans towards the surf rock branch of rock but the added trumpet gives their music its unique Pan Arcadia sound.