WHALE BELLY + YOUNG BUFFALO + THE CROOKES PLAY THE STUDIO AT WEBSTER HALL

WOW!

Ok where to start…. From the minute I arrived at the The Studio at Webster Hall, I knew I was in for a treat. It was one of those small but loyal types of crowd, which in my opinion are the best and most intimate. The show began with Whale Belly, a band from Brooklyn, New York. They had this unique folk sound AND a violinist! Any band who can sound totally badass and classy at the same time has my undivided attention. They weren’t too crazy on stage and didn’t really interact with the crowd as much as I would’ve liked, but what they lacked in confidence, they definitely made up for in talent.

Then, Young Buffalo went on after and had me so intrigued that I almost forgot where I was. There are so many things to love about this young indie rock band from Oxford, Mississippi, including their very original name. They were the most unpredictable band I think I’ve ever seen. Each one of their songs had a different sound and vibe. There were moments where the band members would look at the crowd, then at one another, then back at the crowd and just smile. It was very contagious. My favorite song had to be “Upstairs.” This song is placed perfectly to sneak slowly into your soul and takeover your mind. I found myself still singing it even after the show ended. More people really need to start listening to them, so they can experience the magic too.

Finally it was time for the headliner, The Crookes, a band from Sheffield, England, and they are sure proud to be where they are from. Their name alone is a part of Sheffield. I was already impressed by their British charm before they even started playing because I met them earlier. So, I was really hoping they were the full package. Oh My God… they were fantastic! Whether it was to 20 people or 200, I honestly feel they would rock out no matter what. They have hardcore fans who knew every single lyric to every single song and now I realize why. They make an impact. They have that simple, yet memorable melody with dreamy and whimsical sounds. They had facial expressions and movement that reminded me of the bands that would be on the Ed Sullivan Show in the late 50’s, early 60s. Just when I thought they couldn’t do anything more to win over my heart, they did the unimaginable. “We came all the way to NYC, so we are gonna play one more, not here on stage though, with you guys.” George Waite, the lead singer and bass guitarist said to the crowd, then jumped off the stage and formed a music circle with the rest of the band. We were all inches away from each other…acoustic guitars, no mics, singing, dancing, drinking… What a great gig to be a part of! Kayla approves!

Article by: Kayla Klein