Northside Day 1: Snail Mail Ships At Music Hall of Williamsburg
I am going to say it. I love Northside. This festival feels like the most obvious hidden gem. In perspective, it might seem like a nightmare. Having to jump around boroughs and different halls to get to varying shows. Yet, it is one of the easiest, brilliant ideas I have experienced. For a weekend, I got an NYC Pass to the New York Music Scene and Innovation Panels, and it makes me feel like I am rediscovering my own hometown. THANK YOU NORTHSIDE GODS!!!!!!!
In its first day, Snail Mail, Corridor, and Lionlimb played at Music Hall of Williamsburg, and gave me an epiphany. Northside is not just for the major artists of today but the ones of tomorrow. I could not help but feel like I had gotten a 500 dollar ticket for 15. With a packed house, it was as if everyone was scrunching in to catch the artists that, someday, will be too pricey for us to see with an 8 dollar beer. Hence, photographs were abound as our badges/ bracelets got us, exclusively, into the most prominent shows. Just walking to MHOW, I saw a group of “Northsiders” lining up to see Liz Phair, of which, while walking home, I heard them talking about how bubbly and wonderful she was. It was clear that Northside was a land of musical opportunity; something that played to Snail Mail’s dynamic.
“Heat Wave”, “Thinning”, “Pristine”, and “Slug” were amongst Snail Mail’s set that was extra celebratory; considering Lush, her critically acclaimed debut, was coming out. It was strange to not even have the album and seeing the entire audience know every song with one chord. Cheers followed the beginning of every melody, and her cover of Coldplay’s “Speed of Sound” solidified she could make anything feel original to her. Yet, with her voice, how would she not?
Snail Mail has a voice that is basically an emotional shred machine. She treats sentiments like they are paper about to be ripped apart. It is fascinating to watch how she presents her songs like diaries she is forcefully reading aloud; melodically rasping and retelling the abandonments and delusions she places in another thing that went wrong. It was no wonder the crowd felt enamored by her; in sound and spirit she represents the angst of this generation’s youth. She is smart, fresh, and eager to leave her stamp on a world that certainly needs it. Luckily, while most of us are trying to figure out where to put our frustrations and genius, Snail Mail is making the indie rock soundtracking our search.
