London-based, punk trio Dream Wife played their first show of the year at Bushwick’s Elsewhere on Monday. With a non-stop fiery performance and a thunderous debut album, the band is sure to storm through 2018. Dream Wife’s self-titled album is out today via Lucky Number.
Dream Wife
The energy of the Monday night crowd was at a minimum when Sabri took the stage. Despite the low energy, the band, led by singer Sam Sundos, manifested a danceable set, which included their lighthearted and only released single “Oh Honey.”
Sabri
New York City’s own relaxed rockers QTY were up next. Fronted by Dan Lardner and Alex Niemetz, QTY effortlessly performed songs off of their recently released debut album. Notably, the band’s biggest fans surfaced halfway through their set: Alice Go and Bella Podpadec of Dream Wife were in the crowd dancing front and center.
QTY
Dream Wife emerged on stage with the ever-so-catchy “Hey Heartbreaker,” and played singles “Lolita,” “Somebody,” and “Fire” throughout the night. Before performing “Love Without Reason,” lead singer Rakel Mjöll and guitarist Alice Go declared their mutual love and admiration of QTY, whose members were also watching from the crowd. The playful back and forth between the bands mid-set livened the camaraderie between Dream Wife, QTY, and the audience.
Dream Wife
With only two songs left, Rakel invited all the “bad bitches” to the front of the stage. After sufficiently rousing the women of the crowd, she said, “this song is dedicated to all of the bad bitches!” The trio then erupted full-force into their roaring “FUU.” During the song’s anthemic “I spy with my little eye, bad, bad, bad, bad, bitches,” Rakel jumped into the crowd and inspired a small mosh pit. Noticing the tameness of the New York crowd, she later said, “that might have been the most polite mosh pit we’ve ever seen, and we’re from London.” The show wrapped up with the ‘oohs,’ ’aahs’ and blaring chorus of “Let’s Make Out.”
Dream Wife
The post-show momentum continued when The Cranberries’ “Zombie” started playing in the background. The same strangers, who were belting out Dream Wife lyrics moments before, started singing along together. It was a bittersweet moment after the recent passing of Dolores O’Riordan.
Written by and all photos by our new Brooklyn photographer, Alexandra Howard. Check out more photos from the show:
DREAM WIFE UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
1/26/2018 London, UK @ Sebright Arms
1/29/2018 London, UK @ Rough Trade East
2/2/2018 Adelaide, Aus @ Laneway Festival
2/3/2018 Melbourne, Aus @ Laneway Festival
2/4/2018 Sydney, Aus @ Laneway Festival
2/6/2018 Sydney, Aus @ The Landsdowne
2/7/2018 Melbourne, Aus @ The Tote
2/10/2018 Brisbane, Aus @ Laneway Festival
2/11/2018 Perth, Aus @ Laneway Festival
2/15/2018 London, UK @ Jazz Cafe
3/7/2018 Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Sugar Factory
3/8/2018 Hasselt, Belgium @ Café Café
3/9/2018 Berlin, Germany @ Badehaus Szimpla
3/10/2018 Copenhagen, Denmark @ Ideal Bar
3/11/2018 Malmo, Sweden @ Plan B
3/12/2018 Stockholm, Sweden @ Obaren
3/14/2018 Hamburg, Germany @ Molotow Sky Bar
3/15/2018 Koln, Germany @ Blue Shell
3/16/2018 Paris, France @ Les Femmes s’En Melent
3/17/2018 Rotterdam, Holland @ Roodkapje
3/18/2018 Brussels, Belgium @ AB Club
3/20/2018 Bristol, UK @ The Exchange
3/21/2018 London, UK @ Heaven
3/23/2018 Glasgow, UK @ Stereo
3/24/2018 Manchester, UK @ The Deaf Institute
3/25/2018 Dublin, Ireland @ Workmans Club
5/2/2018 Hamden, CT @ The Ballroom at Outer Space #
5/3/2018 Boston, MA @ Sonia #
5/4/2018 Montreal, QC @ Petite Campus #
5/5/2018 Toronto, ON @ The Garrison #
5/6/2018 Buffalo, NY @ The Mohawk #
5/8/2018 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern #
5/9/2018 Detroit, MI @ Pike Room #
5/12/2018 Grand Rapids, MI @ Founders Brewing Co. #
5/13/2018 Pittsburgh, PA @ Funhouse #
* with Sleigh Bells
# with Sunflower Bean
