photos by Kyle Dean Reinford, words by Andrew Frisicano

Xiu Xiu and Deerhoof opened the first Pool Party of 2010 with a noisy, fleshy work out of Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures. The six-piece group smashed through the minimal record, with brash guitars and drums, free from studio EQ and delay, that were untethered and bold. Frontman Jamie Stewart put a muscular edge on Ian Curtis' deadpan gloom. By their headlining set, the clouds had parted and sun shined on the crowd.

Previously, it did rain a bit during Why?'s set, which also coincided with the end of the World Cup finals. Attendance picked up as the show went on, and after the game (which disappointingly didn't get screened at the show). Past the initial line of people at opening time around 2:30pm there was no wait to get in, and people could walk straight in, even during the headliner.

Earlier, Pictureplane gave the party a bassy, synthed out start. And Fang Island followed with a set heavy on guitars, group vox and unabashedly poppy melodicism.

"New York's senior State Senator" Chuck Schumer was there too, to tell his bike story through a faulty mic, and to wander through the crowd.

Chuck reiterated the freeness of the shows - obviously a good thing - though there's also an increasingly unavoidable corporate presence at the Pool Parties. Veoba logos brand much of the venue's eyespace, and freebies from All Saints (who rented out the building behind the stage), Vans and a bevy of low-cal sports and energy drinks line the park.

Also given a boost this year are the much improved food options, with the Meat Hook, Roberta's pizza, Mexican food and more on site.

Like the pay shows at the park (Weezer is this Friday), the stage now faces the water, leaving the Manhattan skyline to the backs of the crowd. The effect of that shift isn't inconsiderable, giving the space a more claustrophobic feel, though the sun (when it did shine) wasn't the problem it once was for the crowd. I'm guessing that the water-facing stage addresses some issues with sound carrying through the neighborhood. That said, the show Sunday was pleasantly loud, right through the abrasive conclusion.

Kyle was one of those who showed up after the soccer game. His pictures of the last two bands, Schumer, dodgeball, and more, below...

Continue reading "Xiu Xiu, Deerhoof, Why?, Fang Island & Pictureplane played a Pool Party (pics from the post-World Cup part)"

photos by Chris La Putt, words by Andrew Frisicano

"This is the first outdoor New York show we've played where it hasn't rained," said Dirty Projectors' Dave Longstreth (or something like it) of the sunshine and light clouds that soared over his band, and both of Sunday's openers, Magnolia Electric Co. and Crystal Antlers (who replaced White Denim on the bill). (it rained during Dirty Projectors' Sumerstage show in June and their lightning-backed Seaport gig last year.)

It was the second Jelly NYC Pool Party at the Williamsburg Waterfront aka East River State Park where activities include dodgeball, basketball, and drinking beer in a roped off area (but not slip n slide). The view of Manhattan, Empire State Building included, along with the breeze from the water make it a great place for spending the day outdoors. The live music makes it even better.

After the inaugural Waterfront event on July 12th, the July 19th show was more of a laid back affair -- a vibe carried by the organ-driven sound of Jason Molina and Magnolia Electric Co., who went on around 4:30pm. The band from Indiana made it clear they were very happy to be there and having a great time. After their set you could catch them behind their own merch table until the end of the show.

From the opening notes of "Two Doves" at 6:15, Dirty Projectors' set got off to a slow start (that opener being one of the most low energy songs on either of their last two albums). The band continued with new-album material before launching into a mid-set stretch of older songs. I was wondering how they'd rearrange the older material, it turns out they didn't. The band played the Rise Above and before material with their two new touring members (singer Haley Dekle and bassist Nat Baldwin) off the stage. The combination of "Fucked for Life," "Gimme Gimme Gimme," "Thirsty & Miserable" and "Rise Above" injected some much-needed energy into the crowd. In my opinion, the tension and drama in those is unmatched by anything on the (still good) new record. From there, single "Stillness Is the Move" solicited cries of excitement and applause. That song led a straight shot through the Dirty Projectors' poppiest numbers, closing with a two song encore and Dark Was the Night track "Knotty Pine" (though without David Byrne there to sing his part like he did at Radio City and Bonnaroo).

I was a bit farther back, but upfront Chris had a different view of something I missed... (of someone who wasn't content yelling his marriage pleas from the crowd).

"It was a blur. During the Dirty Projector's set a man managed to get into the photographer's pit and attempted to rush the stage. He climbed onto one of the speakers in front of the stage nearly toppling it over before security managed to pull him off and escort him out of the pit."

Crystal Antlers opened the show, but I personally got there too late to see them. Chris did get pictures though. More of them, along with an attempt at the DP setlist, below...

Continue reading "Dirty Projectors, Magnolia Electric Co & Crystal Antlers @ the Williamsburg Waterfront - pics & setlist"

photo by Bao Nguyen, words by Andrew Frisicano

The first Jelly NYC Pool Party of 2009 went off under blue skies at the new Williamsburg Waterfront location. A more-than-6,000-strong crowd (according to the NYT) visited East River State Park for a four-band bill of Jemina Pearl, Ponytail, Fucked Up and Mission of Burma.

Baltimore's Ponytail began right at 4pm and blazed through a set of joyful, proggy pop. "Celebrate the Body Electric" came with a bout of crowdsurfing by singer Molly Siegel, who was in energetic top form.

Fucked Up's Pink Eyes was already undressing during opener "Son the Father" - before the end of the set he'd be down to just boxer briefs. The band's fans showed up to sing along and dance. Event security strained to keep the barricades - a good five-plus feet from the stage - in place despite the surging crowds. That didn't stop Pink Eyes from engaging those right up front; the singer was more than happy to pass the mic, give a high five or, in my case, grab your face and rub it in his bare chest. The band joked around on stage as they layered three-guitar riffs over the hook of "Black Albuno Bones," slow jam "No Epiphany" and the rest. The security got a shout out at the end for doing what looked like one of the day's toughest jobs.

Mission of Burma took the stage after an introduction from the requisite NYC politicians (BP Marty Markowitz even got part of his speech looped by MoB's Bob Weston) (video below). Weston manned the tape and effects from the sound booth, leaving the stage to guitarist Roger Miller, bassist Clint Conley and drummer Peter Prescott, all of whom sang at times. The guitar tone was edgy and pointed, in a good approximation of the band's recorded sound, with the bass loose and under the surface.

The sun, which set right behind the band, backlit the stage and made it tough to see at times. But also provided a perfect chance to check out the area behind the stage. That space allowed a great view of the band and a closer look at the waterfront itself. A roar let loose when the crowd recognized the opening notes of "That's When I Reach For My Revolver." The band closed with "This Is Not a Photograph" and left with a wave of applause and looping static.

In the back of the park, Pool Party staple dodgeball was happening next to a 3-on-3 basketball game. The segregated beer area, a fenced in section along the left side of park, was one change mandated at the new space. For one, it made the area right in front of the stage less congested - not totally a bad thing on a sunny summer afternoon.

The next Pool Party will be on Sunday, July 19th with Magnolia Electric Co., Dirty Projectors and Crystal Antlers (who replace White Denim).

More pictures coming soon. F'd Up, Ponytail & Jemina pics HERE. Mission of Burma pics HERE. Fucked Up and Mission of Burma's setlists, and video of Marty Markowitz's speech, and other videos below...

Continue reading "Mission of Burma, Fucked Up, Pontail, Jemina Pearl & Marty Markowitz @ the Williamsburg Waterfront - setlists, video"

"The emails have been piling up and everyone's asking, "dude, what's up with the Pool Parties?" Well DUDE, so sorry to keep you waiting, but here at JELLY we've been working our asses off to bring you one of the greatest free concert series in history. The Pool Parties are going to be extremely crucial this year, "epic" or "amazing" as you people say these days. Seriously, eight weeks of FREE shows on the waterfront of Williamsburg? Does it get any better? You might be thinking "waterfront"? Yeah, in case you didn't hear the McCarren Pool's closed so get over it :) , and yeah we kept the name Pool Parties even though the East River's not at a pool, so what? We've still got DODGEBALL, basketball, DJ's, bands, burgers the works! We love you more than your parents ever could, and if you want to have fun and hang out with us this summer. [Full schedule below]. Bring your friends but please don't bring these things [pictured above]. As you can see below, underage drinking will not be tolerated. . You guys wouldn't do that though, so there's nothing to worry about. Thank you for visiting and stay tuned!!" -Jelly

Continue reading "JellyNYC announces Pool Parties @ Williamsburg Waterfront!"

photos by Ryan Muir

Gothamist: Are you guys excited about the upcoming show at the McCarren Pool?

Kelley Deal: The Breeders seem like a natural fit for the Pool Parties. Well, we do have the album Last Splash. And you know what a Cannonball is, right? But there's no water, is there? It seems like it would be hot.

I like to read the New York Times, so I saw a pictures of the Hold Steady show there last week. Why are they closing it.

Continue reading "The Breeders & The Whip @ McCarren Pool, NYC - pics"

photos by Ryan Muir

More pictures from Sunday's free show at McCarren Pool (July 6, 2008) below...

Continue reading "Ronnie Spector & Rabbit Factory Revue @ McCarren Pool -pics"

photos by Kyle Dean Reinford

"hold steady came on around 5:45, play until around 7ish. weather cleared up for their great set." [jkov]

"They played a holy fuckload of the new album, and as one who tries to avoid iTunes and is thus waiting for its proper release the show was hard to get into." [Tito]

Continue reading "the Hold Steady, Loved Ones, slip n slide, dodgeball & rain @ the 1st 2008 McCarren Pool Party, Brooklyn, NY - pics"

DOWNLOAD: Superchunk - Kicked In (acoustic) (MP3)

Continue reading "Superchunk & slipNslide @ McCarren Pool, Brooklyn, NY - pics"