OctFest 2019

The third annual Octfest presented by Pitchfork and October was held at the Knockdown Center in Queens and featured an impressive line-up of craft beer and killer rock and roll.

Lower Dens - "Young Republicans"

Four years since the release of their great record Escape from Evil, dream-pop wonders Lower Dens have announce a new album called The Competition. It's out September 6 via Ribbon Music.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Lower Dens played Irving Plaza

Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Lower Dens both had banner years in 2015. Each released their best records to date (two of my favorites) and their joint tour brought them to a sold out Irving Plaza.

Television, Viet Cong and Lower Dens played House of Vans

House of Vans does a terrific job of curating free shows in Greenpoint. The lineup of Television, Viet Cong, and Lower Dens was one of their strongest to date.

Lower Dens played Bowery Ballroom

Baltimore's Lower Dens dropped by Bowery Ballroom in support of their third, and best, record Escape from Evil.

Lower Dens take pop melodies and strip them down into synth-noir, tingling tones of motorik drums, thudding bass, and rippled guitar. Their sound is neon in the dark. Covered in a soft glow, Jana Hunter led the band through a strong set that relied heavily on their latest material. Singles "To Die in L.A." and "Sucker's Shangri-La" struck high notes and accentuated the mood of the night while "I Am the Earth" oozed at the seams, allowing the band, in perfect syncopation, to lead the track in a solid march until finally breaking free in crashing harmony. "I Get Nervous" was a highly received throwback amongst the new gems and reinforced some of the dreamier vibes of the night. Their rhythms were locked tight, never once missing a single beat and Hunter's voice was booming, capturing the entire room and filling it with her presence. The band's previous dream-pop sound still rings true as cascading guitars still make their status known, but their turn towards neo-synth has taken a firmer grasp on their songs and has pushed the band in such a fantastic direction. However bashful she may have appeared between songs, Hunter faced the crowd with brilliant focus and determination. Alternating between guitar and owning the mic, her attitude was flawless and her charisma immaculate. As they closed their set, they asked for the lights to be dimmed and phones to be kept away, an uncommon thing in 2015. For one final moment, the band hunkered down and drilled into "Brains". It was a stunning ending to a great evening. One that highlighted a band that has paid their dues producing great albums and has now found a sound so pure and exciting that witnessing on stage is a true pleasure.

Lower Dens - "Sucker's Shangri-La"

Lower Dens have shared the video for "Sucker's Shangri-La" off their recent album, Escape From Evil.

Lower Dens - "Brains"

Despite a lackluster and rather dull live performance, Lower Dens can still produce somer killer tunes as displayed in the new track, "Brains", off their new album Nootropics (out May 1st) via GorillavsBear.