WILDER WOODS: CONCERT REVIEW

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BY AMANDA SIGMAN

Electrifying.

That’s pretty much the only word I could use to describe the unforgettable night that was the Wilder Woods show in Brooklyn, New York. From the intimate venue to the vibrant set to the energetic audience, each and every piece of the night perfectly fused to create an atmosphere of, to put it simply, good vibes. 

The night kicked off with Rodrick Cliche and Four20's who made up not only Wilder Wood’s openers, but his own personal band during the main set as well. With their funky rhythmic energy, and self-proclaimed “walk through a record store” set list, Rodrick Cliche and Four20's introduced just the right amount of hype to warm the audience up for the show.

By the time 9pm rolled around, the audience was buzzing, ready to see the ever-anticipated main act. The audience was made up of both committed NEEDTOBREATHE fans and brand new Wilder Woods fans. No matter how long they had known the name Bear Rinehart, everyone had one thing in common; they were ready to jam.

When Wilder Woods hit the stage, the hype reached an all-time high and everyone let loose. Starting off with his own personal favorite and the first on the album, “Light Shine In” brought out everyone’s singing voices and dance moves, kicking off the night with the high energy the album calls for.

Wilder Woods kept the night flowing, mixing album pieces with a few fan-favorite covers. Some notable moments included the heartfelt and personable anecdote that introduced “Feel” as well as the completely acoustic rendition of “Religion.” 

With so much energy it only seemed fitting that the night ended on a high note, which Wilder Woods knew. He closed out the night with a fan favorite and his number one play on Spotify, “Supply & Demand.” This upbeat bop calls for all the dance moves, and that’s just what the audience and Wilder Woods did. Even after he exited the stage, the audience continued to sing and dance to that last little bit of an unforgettable night.

If it wasn’t clear, I personally felt like the night could not have been more-free and fun flowing. In fact, it was so good, you might just catch me getting tickets to the next closest one, which would be a short 10-hour drive.

If you want to have the time of your life and hear songs that are even better live than they are recorded, get your Wilder Woods tickets right now.

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SXSW: ONES TO WATCH (PT. 2)

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BY ZOE SALVUCCI

POTTERY

PHOTO BY ZOE SALVUCCI

Every year in Austin, thousands of musicians, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, and fans gather to celebrate and discover the latest trailblazers in each of the three industries. With SXSW 2019 having just wrapped up, here is part two of our artists to watch list.

1. Pottery (CA)

This young five-piece from Montreal only have two releases on their Spotify, but right after SXSW they’re kicking off a US tour supporting Sweden’s Viagra Boys. With post-punk sounds reminiscent of the UK and a look like an American indie band, Pottery is sure to bring their unique energy to audiences across the world.

2. Illiterate Light (US)

Virginia-based alternative rock duo Illiterate Light, made up of Jeff Gorman and Jake Cochran, makes up for the lack of members with their explosive sound. Pounding drums and shredding guitar build the rock and roll sound of Illiterate Light, a sound not heard often in modern music.

3. Black Midi (UK)

Black Midi is—or was—London’s best kept secret. They have released no music and only just appeared on social media, but have already done a KEXP session and played numerous shows around London, including support slots for highly acclaimed punk band Shame. Their math-infused punk style is unique in sound and brilliant in execution, and their young faces make it all the more impressive. With a US tour hot off the heels of SXSW, Black Midi is about to take the US by storm.

AVALANCHE PARTY

PHOTO BY ZOE SALVUCCI

4. Avalanche Party (UK)

Seeing Avalanche Party live is an experience like no other. Vocalist Jordan Bell gets right in the audience’s face, meandering throughout the crowd while the band holds down the beat on stage. It’s intense, aggressive, and truly a unique live experience, which is important in leaving a mark on the industry.

5. Godcaster (US)

Split between Brooklyn and Philadelphia, Godcaster is an insane mashup of experimental psychedelic garage rock that consistently leaves audience’s minds blown. Their energy is tangible, their musical chemistry undeniable, and their recent single “She’s a Gun” catchy as hell.

6. Roe (IE)

Hailing from Derry in Northern Ireland, Roe’s solo multi-instrumentalist act is one you have to experience firsthand. With a huge voice and an even larger stage presence, she fills the room with her music and charm.

7. Chai (JP)

CHAI

PHOTO BY ZOE SALVUCCI

CHAI, four girls from Tokyo, may have put on the most joyful sets at SXSW. From their latest single “Fashionista” to a cover of “Dancing Queen,” their set of hits made it impossible not to immediately fall in love with them.

8. Jealous of the Birds (UK)

Soulful singer-songwriter Naomi Hamilton made her second SXSW appearance since 2016 this year, hot off the heels of her 2019 release Wisdom Teeth. Performing with a full band now, Jealous of the Birds made quite an impression at South By, one of several Northern Irish acts to make their mark at the festival.

9. DYGL

UK-based, Japan-born DYGL, pronounced day-glow, are your classic indie rock band, but with the catchiest hooks imaginable and the stage presence of a band with twice their experience. With their latest single, “A Paper Dream,” released just days before the festival, 2019 is looking to be a huge year for DYGL.

10. The Nude Party

On a first listen of The Nude Party, you might think you’re listening to a band from 1973, because of their nostalgic style with a modern twist is the latest addition. With their self-titled debut album released only last year, the Nude Party have already made quite a name for themselves in the American garage-rock movement.

11. Sorry Girls (CA)

Montreal duo Sorry Girls is a nostalgia-fueled powerhouse of new wave-reminiscent indie-pop. Following the release of their EP Easier in November, published by Montreal DIY label Arbutus Records, Sorry Girls is likely to have an exciting year in 2019.

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SXSW: ONES TO WATCH

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BY ZOE SALVUCCI

FONTAINES D.C.

PHOTO BY NICHOLAS O’DONNELL

Every year in Austin, thousands of musicians, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, and fans gather to celebrate and discover the latest trailblazers in each of the three industries. With SXSW just a few months out and half of the artists for the music festival now released, here are 13 showcasing artists to watch in 2019.

1. FONTAINES D.C. (Dublin, IE)

Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, this post­-punk five piece took the Irish scene by storm, quickly gained popularity in the UK, and is preparing for a US tour supporting IDLES this spring. With powerful 2018 releases Chequeless Reckless and Too Real, Fontaines D.C. show no sign of stopping any time soon — expect big things from them in 2019.

2. Goodbye Honolulu (Toronto, CA)

This hidden gem of the Toronto underground scene released two EPs in the past two years, the most recent titled More Honey. With their energetic garage-­rock sound and Jacob Switzer's unique voice belting killer lyrics over catchy riffs, they are sure to take the rest of Canada by storm in 2019.

3. Sidney Gish (Boston, US)

Riding the wave of success following her 2018 album No Dogs Allowed, indie­-pop artist Sidney Gish toured with Mitski in the fall of 2018 before being announced for Boston Calling and SXSW. A student at Northeastern University, Gish’s music thrived in the underground Boston DIY community before her local success caused word to spread until her name was familiar among fans of DIY across the country.

4. The Blinders (Manchester, UK)

Another band leading the post-­punk explosion led by bands such as IDLES and Shame, The Blinders released their debut album Columbia last year, having already gained a following from several successful singles and EPs over the past few years. With SXSW as their US debut and several festivals announced for this summer, 2019 should be a huge year for The Blinders.

5. Orchards (Brighton, UK)

Orchards’ 2018 debut album Losers/Lovers garnered huge praise from the likes of DORK, Clash, BBC Radio, and DIY Magazine. Emerging from Brighton, England, Orchards blends bright alt-­pop melodies with math rock rhythms, creating a sound so singular they should be on every music fanatic’s radar in 2019.

6. Psychedelic Porn Crumpets (Perth, AU)

Australian psychedelic five ­piece Psychedelic Porn Crumpets released two singles last year following their 2016­/2017 two part album High Visceral. Gearing up for a February UK tour and a March US tour that will straddle the Austin festival, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets are likely to make waves in the Northern hemisphere’s psychedelic scene in the year to come.

DAVID KEENAN

PHOTO BY NICHOLAS O’DONNELL

7. David Keenan (Dundalk, IE)

23-year­-old David Keenan is making waves in the Irish scene with his uniquely soulful folk music and emotional, inquisitive lyrics. Described as “not just another young lad with an acoustic guitar” by Hot Press Magazine, Keenan has a voice and wisdom surpassing his age. After releasing three successful EPs in 2018, 2019 is sure to be Keenan’s strongest year yet.

8. Amyl and the Sniffers (Melbourne, AU)

Australian punk band Amyl and the Sniffers have made a name for themselves in the Australian pub scene, drawing crowds in for their energetic and raw performances, with a sound and concision more reminiscent of 70s punk than the punk of today. Following their tour supporting fellow Australians King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard in 2018, Amyl and the Sniffers have been announced for several festivals in 2019 that will be sure to thrust them into the international spotlight.

9. Viagra Boys (Stockholm, SE)

Stockholm­ based Viagra Boys’ unique blend of speed-­blues and proto­-punk has made them a standout in modern Swedish music. Their 2018 debut album Sweet Worms solidified their reputation as a band with a lot to say and the tools to say it. Having already caught the attention of music outlets such as Pitchfork, Viagra Boys will only push further out of Sweden and onto the international front in 2019.

WHENYOUNG

PHOTO BY NICHOLAS O’DONNELL

10. whenyoung (Limerick, IE)

Limerick-­formed and London ­based whenyoung is an indie darling of modern Irish music. Making NME’s 100 to watch in 2019 list (along with Fontaines D.C. and Sidney Gish), and already justifying this accolade with their January single Never Let Go, the band is sure to break onto the international stage this year following SXSW.

11. The Dunts (Glasgow, UK)

Leading the Glasgow punk scene is four­ piece The Dunts, whose youthful and ambitious energy is sure to enrapture audiences at SXSW. Already having announced several UK festivals for the summer of 2019, The Dunts are poised to take the world by storm with their catchy riffs, tight rhythms, and biting lyrics.

12. Tasha (Chicago, US)

Chicago ­based singer Tasha quickly caught the eye of NPR and Pitchfork with her sophomore EP Alone at Last, released in 2018. Singing her own gentle brand of soul “in the name of radical softness and black love,” Tasha has created her own unique genre that is impossible not to enjoy.

13. Sam Eagle (Essex, UK)

19-year-­old multi-­instrumentalist Sam Eagle has a sound that defies genre: it is hip hop-­jazz, alternative­-soul, DIY­-pop, and it is uniquely his own. Hailing from Essex, England, Eagle has gained support from BBC Radio, playing the BBC Introducing stage at Latitude Festival last summer following the release of his debut single, 15/8. Eagle’s talent is enough to guarantee his success, and many are sure to fall for his singular multi­instrumental creations at SXSW.

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