Concert Review: Roosevelt Takes You Back To The Future At MHOW

I can describe my Roosevelt concert experience in one gif:

Roosevelt is a walking “Back To The Future” film; giving you an 80’s sound with a rock n’ roll finesse. Yet, like Marty McFly, he proves coolness comes in presence. The way he moved with his guitar or pressed upon his keys made the Music Hall of Williamsburg crowd think they were watching a Weird Science episode on music; you felt grooved by the discoed eccentricity. 

Did disco die? According to my mother and her Donna Summer collection, it, unfortunately, did. Yet, from Parcels to Roosevelt,  the genre is coming back and bringing a dancing swag to those that feel ignored by the world. From Punk to Hip Hop, disco, in its own way, spoke to those that feel like outsiders to higher societies. Yet, as in the modern era, Roosevelt has combined this genre with a chillwave appeal that makes you torn between swaying like a palm tree in a summer breeze or fist-pumping your life like it is on an episode of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation. Seeing a mass crowd of people leaping into the air and dancing as if music was their oxygen made me incredibly happy, especially because it was a Monday. 

I hate when Wednesdays feel like Fridays, and get me hyped too early, but it sucks when Sundays feel like Tuesdays because you are too “ready” to get back on the grind. Yet, when a MONDAY, the bluesiest day of the week, feels as lit as a Saturday, that can change your whole week dynamic, which is what Roosevelt did. People were bopping around the venue like ping pongs across a table, and there was no shame, anxiety, or sorrow in sight. Roosevelt had given his audience the rare opportunity to be happy for a moment, while singing songs like, “Take Me Back,” “Lucia,” and “Yr Love.” In this way, Roosevelt appealed to an 80’s vibe in spirit more than sound. 

The 80’s was a time of promoted excess and indulgence; an era, of which the most famous motto is “Greed is good!” Roosevelt does not go that far, but his rhythms and verses promulgate a feeling of extravagance and self-appeasement. Sometimes, it feels really good to only think of yourself, and do everything for you to advance. While we all need to give back, Roosevelt’s music is a reminder to still give to yourself. Thus, as synths and vocals zipped across the room like lightyears traveling through the present, Roosevelt felt like a cool guide to witness their journey. For More Information On Roosevelt Click Here.