Goth rock band Blü Anxxiety played a secret location in Brooklyn on July 21st alongside Mother Juno, Neuter, and DJ Amina Acid. The show was dark, hot as hell (people were literally taking their clothes off), and gave the David Lynch vibes that you can really only get from a DIY space.
Neuter, a solo electronic artist, opened with dangerously loud noise and an array of electronics that almost felt like an art installation. Their performance was anything but ordinary with nails-on-a-chalkboard screeching, harsh light shining through a loose bicycle wheel, and their own ambling around a table of synthesizers. What I saw of the performance was short (I came in a little late), but interesting nonetheless. All I had for earplugs was toilet paper and Neuter put two-ply to the ultimate strength test.
Then Mother Juno set up. Their red light was gorgeous so I had to take a snap before they even got started. The performance brought gothy beats and shrouded vocals. Mixed with all the fog and dancing, they really turned the space into a nightclub during their set. The visuals were like something out of a nightmare and the bops infectious—I’d definitely see them again for that sweet dichotomy.
Mother Juno
Between Mother Juno and Blü Anxxiety, DJ Amina Acid filled the space with beats suitable for the graveyard vibes of the night. Then Blü Anxxiety was up.
The first thing I noticed about them was their iconic look—they wore nun headpieces (a cornette according to Google) and gowns. The singer, Chi Orengo, blacked out their teeth, and of course black nail polish was present for church. Orengo connected with the crowd, mostly singing off stage and engaging all the people in front. Blü Anxxiety’s music had a blend of rock, hip-hop, and political dissent. While I couldn’t totally make out what I was listening to with the kind if production you might expect in a DIY space, the performance was clearly passionate and I admire the band for fighting through the heat to deliver their message to the world.
Blü Anxxiety
Overall I’m really glad I went and I’d go to shows at this space again. I wish I could share where it is, but you might just need to find that out the hard way.
Scroll down for pics of the show (photos by Juliette Boulay)
Being relatively new to the NYC music scene, I like to go through show listings (like we have here every week) and listen to bands I’ve never heard of. That’s how I got into the local noise rock band, Venus Twins. After listening to a few tracks, I knew I’d love them live and got a ticket for their show at The Broadway in Bushwick.
The night started off with Griffy Jones and the Phantom Band, a folky band sporting an upright bass. Their performance gave a warm summer camp vibe, as if they met around a fire in high school. The band’s Instagram page would imply that they have several members, but only three were performing, which might explain why their performance felt a bit less layered than their studio recordings. Either way, the set was pleasant and suited the summer heat.
Venus Twins played after with a set of fast heavy-hitters to celebrate their newly released single, “Return to Dust.” The twins, Matt and Jake Derting, created that whirring wall of sound that I look for in live shows – the ephemeral type that hits you in the face and you wish would never end. Their bassist’s strap holder broke on song two, but they held it together and did a really good job of pushing forward with the same energy. Overall the set was awesome and the twins’ sonic output is impressive for a two-piece band.
Venus Twins “Return To Dust”
Godcaster (listed on the ticket as “C Dogtears”) played afterwards with a lineup of dynamic songs and stage theatrics to match. I looked up the band afterwards to find out that they’ve opened for others like of Montreal, and I totally see the fit. (See our coverage from November 2021 when they played with Sloppy Jane.)
I stumbled upon the band cumgirl8 about a month ago and with such a standout name, I had to give them a listen. Their music was punky and alienesque, so of course I had to see how their music would translate to a live show so I headed to their recent show at Elsewhere.
The show was opened by Deep Breath who I unfortunately missed, but I made it in time for Jack Powers who took the stage next to lead a poppy set with his two leather-clad dancers. Powers brought a lot of energy to the space and made an impression with lyrics like, “I cut my cheeks like an Italian steak,” (referring to make-up, of course). He even had his dancers in a match with boxing gloves toward the end of his performance.
Up next was cumgirl8, arriving in layered lingerie outfits to match their sex-positive title. They brought a no-fucks-given essence that even had some fans freeing the nipple. To say the least, these women have a lot of guts and I admire them for it.
They played nearly every song from their self-titled album – my favorite being “Waffles”, a bass-heavy bop with a chorus about breakfast foods. The group closed their set with a campy synth track called “I Wanna Be”, bringing Jack Powers back up to turn the stage into an impromptu party. I love that cumgirl8’s music blends a 1970’s punk influence with otherworldly synthesizers and a bounciness only their songs can describe. Their sound is fresh, fun, and downright weird (in a good way).
After cumgirl8’s performance, Anysia Kym rounded out the night with clean, punchy beats. The crowd danced and mingled until people started heading out.
Overall I’d highly recommend cumgirl8 to anyone wanting to see a show that feels like the heartbeat of New York City nightlife – bright, odd, and fantastically unpredictable.
Scroll down for pics of the show (photos by Juliette Boulay)
