Oh, darling Grizzly bear.
Why must you treat me so? First, you entice me to the fairytale land of Williamsburg, where the streets are paved with beautiful people; where the drinks are cheap and large. Then you tell me I can see you for free, and to top it all off; I get a view of the ever glorious Manhattan skyline in the background while attending said gig. What else, Grizzly bear, what else? Beyonce and her beau will be gracing your party you say? Sold.
Well, you failed to mention that I wouldn’t actually get into aforementioned ‘best gig in the world, ever’, due to a crowd of literally thousands stretching back to North 13th street. O.k., so I’m not going to deny that I might have been slightly on the tardy side, but really, I expected more than five security guards searching thousands of peoples bags, therefore creating a queue that moved at a horrifically slow and virtually unseeable pace.
Full Day in Photos coming soon
Realistically, I can’t complain. Having been to four other pool parties over the summer, I know just what a success and achievement the pool parties have been this year. Men in shorts? Check. Men in shorts playing dodge ball? check. Men in shorts on stage? I think you get the picture. But I also must compliment the undeniably exquisite choice in bands. Where else would I get to see Mission of Burma, Health, Dirty Projectors, Fiery furnaces, and Black lips for free over one summer – not in Scotland, that’s for sure. The brilliant organization (on most occasions), the lack of queues for the bathrooms, and the great girl with a fantastically well rounded knowledge of wine who helped me pick a lovely Pinot Grigio ($6) to accompany my listening experience. All in all, the jelly pool parties were an absolute success in my eyes, and I hope they continue for years to come.
Anyway, back to the point of this story. Having left due to the alarming prospect of queuing under the intense heat of a high summer, New York sun, we returned a few hours later; to sit and listen from the unglamorous sidewalk of Kent Avenue. Some might question this, but the acoustics of the park permitted listening to Grizzly bear with relative ease from this distance, and there were at least a couple of hundred others doing so also.
Obviously I cannot create a fair review of a gig when I wasn’t even inside the actual venue; but Grizzly bear’s neo-folk sound is certainly capable of stunning in intimate venues, and large open spaces alike. Ed Droste and Daniel Rossen’s Beach Boy-esque vocals complement each other gloriously. Their multi-layered harmonies seemingly express a delicate and simple fragility; while being quite the opposite in actuality. The set was full of crowd pleasers such as “Southern Point” and the enchanting recent release “Two Weeks”.
This is a band that has matured in such fast paced yet elegant fashion, you are really left wondering why they never hit the pitchfork headlines sooner. However, with Jay-Z and Beyonce being the most indiscreet fans in attendance at the Pool Party, they’re not going to be a well kept secret for very much longer.
Grizzly Bear’s setlist
Southern Point
Cheerleader
Lullabye
Little Brother
Knife
Fine for Now
Two Weeks
Ready, Able
I Live With You
Fix It
