Photos by Charles Poladian, words by Carly Creed
Beirut – East Harlem
In the wake of the now kiboshed Pool Parties, day two of the Northside Festival featured an outdoor event with great promise, a day in the sun with Yellow Ostrich, Sharon van Etten, and Beirut. Although there were some passing thunderstorms, festival goers were rewarded for their dedication with an authentic double-rainbow (what does it meeean?) and a memorable day of good feelings and great music.
The past few summers for me have always been marked by at least one mind-blowing outdoor concert in Williamsburg. Much to my relief, Northside has stepped up to fill the void with several concerts in McCarren Park. The result is a bare-bones venue for music lovers to enjoy live music (and to splurge on delicious stands and specialty beer).
To get the negative commentary through first, the only issue with McCarren Park Pool was one any outdoor show deals with; the bathroom line. By the end of Beirut’s set, the bathroom line was about thirty people in but that tends to be the case when you are at an outdoor concert. It would be more efficient to leave the venue and find facilities somewhere else.
Thunderstorms clouded the skies, obscuring the Empire State Building on the horizon all afternoon but festival goers were prepared to make the best of it. The dedication of the fans warmed my heart as people crouched together under umbrellas and makeshift ponchos. Even people who outside of the confines of the park waited patiently to beat the rain for a chance to hear the bands. Fortunately, everyone was rewarded with not only Yellow Ostrich’s performance but a true “Double Rainbow”—what a beautiful start to a beautiful evening.
Opening with “Elephant King”, Yellow Ostrich establishes themselves on the stage with their good nature and uplifting sound. Bombastic percussions, introspective lyrics, syncopated guitar work, and warm horn section harmonizes together into comforting reward from all of the wet weather. With a strong start, the band’s set list included “WHALE”, “Marathon Runner”, and finished strong but sentimental with “Mary”. With three EPs and a national tour (including SXSW) under their belt, this will not to be the last time New York City will be rocked by Yellow Ostrich. With their chaotic yet sweet melodies, the band whet the audience’s appetite for Sharon van Etten.
Diminutive in size but not in talent, Sharon van Etten bared her soul with her powerful songs, treating the audience to quality alternative rock. Her edge lies with her soft voice that can be equally an emphatic and strong, imbued with a lilting vibrato that conjures an image of falling leaves.
Down to earth in a tee shirt, blue jeans, and a flannel, Van Etten played for not only her fans but for her parents in the audience, her voice breaking at their introduction. Backed with a full band, she still maintained a semblance of vulnerability that translated well to her songs, particularly for “One Day” and “Save Yourself.” Her songs are introspective and easy-going, her range flittering from warm alto to a drifting falsetto (never yodel-y). Personally, I would have appreciated a more stripped down sound that was present in her studio recordings, but the strength and emotion of her voice is present live.
With such a relaxing second act, it was a shock to the system when Beirut wrapped up the night. Beirut, like DeVotchka, take notes from “old world” European sounds, creating an altogether new world party atmosphere. Balkan beats, a kicking horn section (complete with a tuba and French horn), and constant use of the romantic accordion ensures a set filled with frenetic and exciting songs as well as contemplative and emotional ones.
Beirut stuck to mostly tried and true favorites such as “Elephant Gun,” “Postcards from Italy,” “Forks and Knives (La Fete),” and the latest single from the soon-to-be released The Rip Tide “East Harlem.” Beirut ended the night with “The Penalty.”
Beirut entertains with their sweet harmonies, International inspiration, and true musical expertise, ensuring their place as the headliner. Although their sound and energy was infectious, in true Brooklyn fashion, only a few members of the audience danced, but that was no fault of the band.
It may not be the Pool Parties, but McCarren Park Pool nailed it for Day 2. The bands each complimented each other in different ways and excelled not only musically in playing their instruments, but in working together to create music that unites people even on the darkest of afternoons.
Yellow Ostrich
Sharon Van Etten
Beirut
