Catalyst / Vs Self @ Market Hotel
Shots by Mia Baric
Tucked into an unassuming street corner, Market Hotel is a historic venue located in Bushwick Brooklyn. With an iconic large window behind the stage that overlooks a working train station, Market Hotel is unique and unforgettable. On Saturday, September 2nd, Sleepwell, Auxiena Saint, Olth, Catalyst, and Vs Self brought insanity to this little Brooklyn stage. As people watch the show through the window while waiting for their train, concertgoers indoors are just as enthralled.
Sleepwell (Shots by Mia Baric)
Although Sleepwell was added to this stacked bill last minute, the band opened the show with an extremely memorable stage presence. Lively and striking, the three-piece New York City based post-punk band was a perfect edition, setting up a rowdy and engaged energy that persisted throughout the entire show.
Auxiena Saint (Shots by Mia Baric)
Auxiena Saint is a sight to be seen. Face costumed in an array of googly eyes and a striking white contact, the lead singer jumped into the audience for a majority of the set, becoming one with the crowd. Preforming in the pit as the rest of the band owned the stage, the set was intimate and the band was truly connected with those who came out to support them.
Olth (Shots by Mia Baric)
With an exhilerating stage presence and energetic performance, Olth tore up the stage next. Perfectly playing off each other’s energies, they quickly turned the stage into their playground. The ambiance was special and as the room filled with a thick fog from the fog machine, this screamo/emo-violence band delivered a captivating performance to the rowdy crowd.
Catalyst (Shots by Mia Baric)
After Olth was Catalyst, a rising Rhode Island based screamo band. The room still filled with an eerie fog, the band put on a sweaty performance as the crowd began to spill onto the sides of the stage. Stage divers could be observed in a steady stream as show-goers screamed the lyrics in unison. As the lead singer flung himself around the stage, it is easily observable that these individuals care so much about the music and the art that they create on and off the stage.
Vs Self (Shots by Mia Baric)
Currently on tour, Vs Self, a screamo band from California headlined with twinkly guitars and captivating vocals. Unfortunately cut short by a noise curfew, they still properly rocked the Market Hotel. With an iconic tambourine being played throughout their set behind meticulous guitar, they closed out the show passionately. The crowd emotionally yelling lyrics back at the band was accompanied by disorderly stage diving, creating a scene almost out of a movie. Although the curfew cut their set in half, they still managed to move the audience and close out the gig powerfully.
All 5 bands brought an insanely strong energy to Brooklyn’s Market Hotel showcasing the power of performance and the art that they create, bringing a strong close to Vs Self’s small East Coast Tour. Keep an eye out for more shows this September in the LI/NYC area and get to the gig!