[ATTENDED: November 2, 2021] BLACKSTARKIDS
The weird thing about seeing an artist who is new and very young is that her opening bands need to be (relatively) newer and younger. And so, when seeing an artist like Beabadoobie who has one album out and who was born in you’re going to get openers who are gasp, probably teenagers.
I don’t know why it bugs me so much to be late for a show…especially when I don’t know the opening act. I just like to arrive early, pick the spot I want and get psyched for he show. For some reason, I was running late for this show and I wound up walking in after BLACKSTARKIDS had started.
There were five members on stage, but the core of the band is TyFaizon and The Babe Gabe–the main songwriters–and Deiondre acting as producer. They all rap and sing leads (there was also a keyboardist and a drummer).
Their music is genre defying, being equally inspired by indie rock, hip hop and pop culture. So a song like “PALS” has rapped verses (from all three of them, I think) and then a super catchy chorus with lovely backing ahhs.
They had some slower songs and a few real bangers and the bangers got the crowd going crazy. At one point Ty (who did not have the awesome bouncy hair, that’s Deiondre) took off his shirt and damn he was cut. There was much swooning in the crowd as he got everyone charged up.
Near the end of the set they played the most fun sing-along anti cop song I’ve ever heard. “All Cops Are Bastards” has a great pre-chorus and a wonderful chorus with overlapping vocals. If you weren’t paying attention, you’d never guess these lyrics:
We yelling “All cops are bastards”
So they know we meant it
Thesе days I’m counting down my life by every minutе
I know you fucking hate my kind
What’s the news? We get it
I won’t stop stopping you until I’m fucking finished
I can finally go to peace when you’re all diminished
[Chorus]
Times are changing, losing patience
So go, revolt, keep hope
Fuck the cops, feel the same
They ended with the bouncing “Time Flies When You’re Having Fun,” and they attacked this song like they meant it. Everybody on stage was having a good time and it easily translated to the audience.
I’m taking this setlist from the next night at Webster Hall, since I assume it’s the same.
- Sounds Like Fun §
- JIMMY NEUTRON ∞
- Frankie Muniz ϖ
- PALS REVOLT SYNDROME ∞
- FIGHT CLUB ∞
- Love, Stargirl §
- ACAB ∞
- TIME FLIES WHEN YOU’RE HAVING FUN ∞
§ Surf (2020)
ϖ Whatever, Man (2020)
∞ Puppies Forever (2021)
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