New York rock trio Sunflower Bean played their sophomore album Twentytwo in Blue (released March 23rd via Mom + Pop Records) in full Thursday night to a sold-out Bowery Ballroom. Being on home turf, the band was accompanied on and off stage by longtime friends and were even joined by their album’s producer, Matthew Molnar, who played bass on several songs.
The stage was adorned with metallic, blue letter balloons spelling out “twenty two in blue” and disco balls littering the floor. Sunflower Bean took to the stage clad in blue. The band is effortlessly cool. Julia Cumming, Nick Kivlen, and Jacob Faber carry themselves with such ease and cohesion. You would not think they tried very hard at all.
Their live show carries a reputation for sparking mosh pits. During this show, the moshing commenced at the opening lines of track four, “Crisis Fest.” Moments of calm in the crowd only came during the slower songs, like “Only A Moment” and “Any Way You Like.” The implied mosh pit is not apparent in their recorded music, however. At times punk in nature, Sunflower Bean’s sound does not fit into one category – it transcends genres and decades.
At one point, Julia Cumming said, “We’re all 22, it doesn’t mean much.” Expressing the same attitude as their lyrics, the band is very much situated in the here and now and keep life in perspective. While Nick tuned his guitar, Julia said, “and one more thing, Bowery Ballroom is the best venue in New York City.” That is a fact.
Julia told the audience “to stay right where you are,” as if anyone was about to leave. The band emerged in new outfits and played their cover of “Harvest Moon.” Julia said she felt sentimental about playing “Ever Since,” because it was the song that defined the band’s sound. Closing with “I Was Home,” the mosh pit reached its peak when the band reprised the chorus after thanking and hugging their friends for playing with them on stage.
All photos and written word by Alexandra Howard. Check out more photos from the show below:
Sunflower Bean Online:
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Upcoming Sunflower Bean Tour Dates:
5/2 – Hamden, CT @ The Ballroom at The Outer Space ^
5/3 – Cambridge, MA @ Sonia ^
5/4 – Montreal, QC @ Petit Campus ^
5/5 – Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern ^
5/6 – Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place ^
5/8 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern ^
5/9 – Pontiac, MI @ The Pike Room at the Crofoot ^
5/11 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall ^
5/12 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Founders Brewing Co ^
5/13 – Millvale, PA @ The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls ^
5/20 – Gulf Shores, AL @ The Hangout Music Festival
5/31 – Nelsonville, OH @ Nelsonville Music Festival
6/1 – Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery *
6/2 – Washington, D.C. @ Rock & Roll Hotel *
6/3 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle – Back Room *
6/5 – Charlotte, NC @ Snug Harbor *
6/6 – Atlanta, GA @ Aisle 5 *
6/8 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall: Upstairs #
6/9 – Austin, TX @ The Scoot Inn $
6/10 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada #
6/12 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar #
6/13 – La Jolla, CA @ Che Cafe #
6/14 – Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room #
6/15 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom #
6/19 – Vancouver, BC @ The Fox Cabaret &
6/20 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile &
6/23 – Denver, CO @ Westword Music Showcase
6/25 – Omaha, NE @ Reverb +
6/26 – Kansas City, MO @ recordBar +
6/27 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry +
6/30 – Indianapolis, IN @ Hoosier Dome +
7/1 – Nashville, TN @ 3rd and Lindsley
8/4-5 – Happy Valley, OR @ Pickathon
^ – with support from Dream Wife
* – with support from The Nude Party
# – with support from Jesse Jo Stark
& – with support from The Paranoyds
+ – with support from Public Access TV
$ – with Broncho
