As evening fades into darkness a little earlier with each passing night, fall continues to remind me that I should welcome the transitions we’ve all experienced over the past two years. Such changes have never felt so true than during the past few months in New York City. Not only is this city my home, but it is the home of so many amazing communities that have helped shape my experiences, including the NYC music scene.
It definitely helps that I’ve got to meet amazing people along the way.
Walking around the periphery of Bowery Ballroom on this cool fall evening, I was reminded of the first time that I went to see Albert Hammond Jr. at this historic venue back in 2008. It was my 18th birthday, and I remember getting lost on the streets of the Lower East Side. Basking in those nostalgic feelings made me feel like I’m part of something remarkable in NYC.
Those feelings were strengthened when I stepped into the building to see Wolf Alice.
This show on November 12, 2021, was incredibly special to me, as it was my first concert in two years. The experience was truly exciting, complete with those nervous but giddy jitters of a first date. The concept of getting back into concerts, especially after COVID, has been slightly anxiety-inducing and a little lonely. I say lonely because most of my friends have become extra-cautious in the aftermath of the global pandemic, so it’s understandable that not as many people are attending shows every week like we used to.
However, it’s hard to ignore the appeal of a raucous live show filled with the music you love and the people who love it. Concerts are the quintessential medium where crowds gather to enjoy the spirit of music, so attending this one was extremely emotional. It was also beautiful to see so many smiling faces, singing along to their favorite songs.
Meeting people has always been one of my favorite parts of going to shows because you get to share the moment with someone who has also listened to a band’s songs while going through life-changing moments. But as I made my way through the diverse crowd for a drink at the back bar, I tried desperately not to smile too widely, thinking to myself, “Be cool, be calm, be cool.” Thankfully, I met some really interesting people who helped me embrace my excitement as we talked about the band and our shared love of music.
All of a sudden, Bowery Ballroom went dark.
As the crowd shouted and yelled for Wolf Alice, the lights burst bright upon the stage, and each member walked on stage, their faces emblazoned with a huge smile. The band immediately kicked into “Smile,” one of the big singles from Blue Weekend. Released in Summer 2021, this new album tells the tales of love and breakups, close bonds, and disillusionment. I was then fortunate to watch the band play “You’re A Germ” from the soundboard for a few minutes as the crowd went wild. That intimate experience meant the world to me, so shout-out to that new friend.
Wolf Alice’s set combined songs from Blue Weekend along with their earlier classics, such as “Feeling Myself”, “Delicious,” and my ultimate favorite, ”Moaning Lisa Smile.” You can just tell the band was having a phenomenal time vibing off the energy of the crowd, and their onstage chemistry made the performance even more charming.
The astonishing thing about Wolf Alice is that they can genre-bend with such ease.
Few bands can effectively transition from punk-influenced songs like “Play the Greatest Hits” to ethereal beauties such as “Feeling Myself.” The range of emotions on display from beginning to end was extraordinary. It was the shivers-down-your-spine goodness that I’d totally missed during COVID. There were moments of stillness during “The Last Man On Earth” where I literally caught my breath in astonishment. As I began to cry tears of joy, I wrote in my notebook, “Ever get that feeling when a moment in your life when it’s perfect? This is it.”
Wolf Alice is a band that feels like home, and I was so happy I got to see them in my home of New York City.