There Goes the Neighborhood Review: A Festival Curated by TV on The Radio - Atwood Magazine

      TV On The Radio successfully completed the inaugural year of There Goes The Neighborhood, a Brooklyn festival featuring carefully selected artists that embody the essence of the band’s captivating appeal.

      There’s an enchanting quality to live music set against an urban backdrop—the sound reverberating off steel structures, the warm glow of the setting sun filtering through concrete, and the collective energy of a city coming alive one last time as summer draws to a close.

      This September, TV On The Radio hosted the festival version of a new music event called ‘There Goes The Neighborhood’ at Under The K Bridge Park, located directly beneath the Kosciuszko Bridge in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The venue was ideal for the mini-festival: a total of five artists performed as the sun dipped below the horizon, creating a distinctive listening experience for those whose sounds are as niche and experimental as the setting itself.

      If the festival becomes an annual occurrence, it could serve as a perfect end-of-summer celebration, with TV On The Radio curating a lineup of artists they are passionate about. This year's roster featured the punk band Spellling, the experimental poet/musician Moor Mother, the exceptional Sudan Archives, and the genre-bending DJ Flying Lotus—culminating with a performance by TV On The Radio.

      Spellling opened the festival with an eclectic blend of grunge and early 2010s alternative rock, while incorporating modern gothic and e-girl aesthetics into their stage presence. Lead singer Chrystia Cabral showcased a rich and soulful voice, seamlessly incorporating different vocal styles. One moment, she would howl into the microphone, and the next, she would switch to a playful Britney ‘baby voice’ style before diving into ethereal, haunting tones. This dynamic performance was further enhanced by the chemistry she shared with her bandmates.

      Their musical offerings varied widely, shifting between fast-paced rock tracks and more subdued ballads. Cabral's captivating stage presence allowed her to embody the energy of each song, whether she was energetically bouncing on stage during upbeat numbers or showcasing her emotional range during more melancholic tunes. They made for an excellent opener, energizing the early festival-goers for the performances to follow.

      Moor Mother delivered perhaps the most unconventional and thought-provoking act of the evening. Her music, which melds ambient sounds with spoken word poetry, challenges traditional song structures. She began her set with a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, with her bandmates providing an instrumental backdrop that gradually transformed into more ominous soundscapes, as her lyrics poignantly addressed the nation's issues.

      Moor Mother’s work encourages deeper reflection rather than following a conventional chorus format, forcefully confronting the injustices affecting many in the country. Lyrics expressing sentiments such as “We will always vote for our own demise, our own destruction,” resonated strongly with the audience, highlighting the state of affairs across the nation.

      Sudan Archives, known for her enchanting voice and dynamic performances with her violin, lifted the crowd’s energy as she took the stage. Solo, without any accompanying bandmates, she skillfully engaged the audience. Her performance stood out due to the diversity of her musical influences, blending folk, rock, R&B, and pop. One moment she played the violin like a guitar, and the next, she had the crowd jumping to her new tracks that fused hyper-pop, house, and rap, before shifting back to emotionally charged pieces that showcased her violin skills. She managed to transition between genres seamlessly, making her set one of the highlights of the evening.

      Maintaining the same vibrant energy, DJ Flying Lotus delivered a psychedelic set that explored an array of soundscapes. His mix of groovy elements and traditional house production provided a refreshing break, allowing festival-goers to dance while being captivated by the stunning visuals projected behind him during his performance. The combination of intricate visual elements and his sonic mastery created an impressive atmosphere; his complex tracks felt especially alive in the live setting. Flying Lotus served as the perfect prelude to TV On The Radio's closing set.

      As TV On The Radio took the stage to wrap up the night, the crowd beneath the bridge transformed into a sea of enthusiastic fans eagerly anticipating their performance. The space quickly filled with listeners who stood shoulder-to-shoulder.

      Their performance featured the signature soaring vocals, band synergy rarely seen today, and numerous intimate moments shared between lead singers Tunde Adebimpe and Kyp Malone and the audience. Adebimpe expressed heartfelt sentiments about the previous acts, highlighting the significance of the event and the artists they had shared the stage with. “That’s what happens when you get old, you get to invite everyone you love and watch the fucking show!” he remarked. The band then commenced with a cascade of instrumentals and vocals that characterize TV On The Radio’s unique sound. Both Adebimpe and Malone possess distinct vocal styles; Adebimpe delivers strong emotional intensity while Malone’s voice carries a laid-back classic rock vibe

Other articles