Impressions from CMJ Day Two
Chairlift @ Fader Fort
Starfucker @ Crash Mansion
Yesterday marked Day Two of CMJ, and we did a lot of skipping around to different venues and showcases, starting off with Starfucker at Crash Mansion. The Oregon-based trio played for a small crowd at about 4 pm with infectious synth-pop that's bound to catch on in the next year, so keep your ears peeled. We also got to check out Look Mexico who shined a bit less brightly than our new obsession, Starfucker.
Next on the list was the Fader party, set up in a gallery space off The Bowery. Chairlift played a brief and mellow set, building up to the other bands on hand (The Muslims, Crystal Stilts.) All I have to say about that whole affair is Blagh. We were instructed to leave our waterpark/hospital patient-esque Fader/Levi’s wristbands on for the next 3 days to (A) ensure re-entry to each day's sets, which DO have amazing lineups, but will still be annoyingly crowded and with shitty sound (B) advertise for Fader/Levi's. So we took the wristbands off afterwards. No ‘effin way.
After that, it was time to hit The Annex for the Bring on The Brits showcase, where people were clearly wasted (even at 8 pm the scent of Soco-breath lingered in the air.) Virgin Passages started off with a tepid reception to their male/female fronted indie-shoegaze amalgamated sound. Nothing new to report there..... and nothing new to report on Radio Luxembourg, who played cutesy yet ultra-rudimentary Britpop. As for Dirty Fuzz (“Rock’n’Roll’s not deeeadddd!!! Woooooooh!!!”) RIYL Duffy, Macy Gray, or other mom-rock/soul.
Everyone knew the main draw of the evening was Friendly Fires, who pulled through and managed to put on a great performance. Considering the teenie stage at The Annex results in severe space constraints for an active, dancing, thrashing band like Friendly Fires, the group still spazzed around and suited the soused and packed crowd quite well.
Phew, see you at Day Three -
À demain, mes chéries!
Look Mexico @ Crash Mansion
Radio Luxembourg @ The Annex
Friendly Fires @ The Annex
Free SoCo = Madness
Dirty Fuzz @ The Annex
Photos c/o Mark Iantosca and Clarissa Roudabush
