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NYC Popfest Night 1: Burning Hearts, Speedmarket Avenue, Dear Marje, Heaven's Gate, The Marshmallows (pics, video)

photos by Chris La Putt; words by Bill Pearis

Speedmarket Avenue
Speedmarket Avenue

Like years past, NYC Popfest 2012 kicked off with a show at Cake Shop. Finland’s Burning Hearts, who played Popfest in 2009 as well, headlined the night with a set of shimmering guitars and warm synthesizers. Also from that general part of the world were Sweden’s Speedmarket Avenue who debuted a bunch of strident, emotive new material (and a new line-up) at Cake Shop.

The rest of the Thursday’s opening gala was all local: Dear Marje came out of hibernation for a set of charmingly shambolic tunes; Heaven’s Gate treaded the line between shoegazy pop and bluesier material; and openers The Marshmallows recalled the ’90s heyday of indiepop.

More Popfest coverage is on its way. Check out more pictures and some videos from Thursday’s show below…

The Marshmallows

The Marshmallows

The Marshmallows

The Marshmallows
The Marshmallows

The Marshmallows

The Marshmallows

The Marshmallows

The Marshmallows

The Marshmallows

The Marshmallows

The Marshmallows

The Marshmallows – “Battle of the Sexy”

Heaven’s Gate

Heaven's Gate

Heaven's Gate

Heaven's Gate

Heaven's Gate

Heaven's Gate

Heaven's Gate

Heaven's Gate

Heaven's Gate

Heaven's Gate

Heaven's Gate

Heaven’s Gate – “Alex Division”

Dear Marje

Dear Marje

Dear Marje

Dear Marje

Dear Marje

Dear Marje

Dear Marje

Dear Marje

Dear Marje

Dear Marje

Dear Marje

Dear Marje

Dear Marje

Dear Marje

Dear Marje

Dear Marje

Dear Marje – “Soft and Sweet”

Speedmarket Avenue

Speedmarket Avenue

Speedmarket Avenue

Speedmarket Avenue

Speedmarket Avenue

Speedmarket Avenue

Speedmarket Avenue

Speedmarket Avenue

Speedmarket Avenue

Speedmarket Avenue

Speedmarket Avenue

Speedmarket Avenue

Speedmarket Avenue

Speedmarket Avenue – “Way Better Now”

Burning Hearts

Burning Hearts

Burning Hearts

Burning Hearts

Burning Hearts

Burning Hearts – “Into the Wilderness”