Converse City Carnage took over New York and delivered a great experience. Featuring Sleigh Bells, Rye Rye, Jel and Mr. Dream, the one-day event was a successful debut for Converse’s event and Sleigh Bells definitely delivered the carnage thanks to a loud aggressive sound and blasts of strobes.
For a free event, things ran as smoothly as can be. Converse could not have picked a better location than Pier 63. Great views of the band and stage from all the way in the back, the sold-out, even though it was free there were tickets “sold” beforehand, the space felt open and at the same time intimate. Great audio definitely helped the event as well, especially when it came time for Sleigh Bells.
More of the show including photos after the jump.
Mr. Dream kicked things off with their blend of Brooklyn punk. With rumbling bass lines, Mr. Dream delivered a fun, albeit short, set. There was a sense of urgency that seemed to be lacking but that could have been due to the crowd who was filing in, the daylight and the lack of walls that would have helped created a sense of chaotic bombast.
Jel was just one man and his MPC. He mixed created and produced some great on the fly hip hop beats. He made technical artistry look easy.
Rye Rye created quite the dance party. As the place filled up and the sun was setting, Rye Rye’s set was a perfect storm of good songs, vibes and setting. It seemed like for many Rye Rye’s set was the one they came to see.
With the strobes ready to go, Sleigh Bells closed out the Converse City Carnage show the only way they knew how; loudly. The strobes were intense, the guitars were cranked up all the way and while those Marshall stacks are just for show, it was still as loud as could be. Tearing through songs from Treats and Reign of Terror, everything was dripping with excess but with Sleigh Bells, you wouldn’t want it any other way. Even when slowing things during “Born to Lose,” Sleigh Bells picked it right back up with “Comeback Kid.” Sleigh Bells ended the night with “Riot Rhythm” and “A/B Machines.”
Converse City Carnage was quite the success and with The Kills coming to town for the second stop in August, fans should expect a great day of music at one fine venue.
Sleigh Bells
Rye Rye
Jel
Mr. Dream
