Your Arms Are My Cocoon, Oolong, Godfuck, Gingerbee, & Warm Wishes, July 17th @ The Meadows - Brooklyn, NY
Shots by Mia Baric
Your Arms Are My Cocoon began as a solo project by Tyler Odom, releasing their brilliant self-titled EP in September of 2020, and they have steadily grown a dedicated fanbase since then. On Monday, July 17th, they played a packed show as a part of their 2023 summer tour at The Meadows in Brooklyn, New York, with support from bands Warm Wishes, Gingerbee, Godfuck, and Oolong, for a rowdy yet intimate crowd.
Warm Wishes
Sweet and captivating, native New York band Warm Wishes took the stage first. Warm Wishes released their first EP, Prosperity, in 2021 and have been consistently working on music and playing shows since then. Upbeat and meaningful, the quartet’s gentle guitar-led indie ballads are hard to ignore. Differing in intensity compared to the other bands on the bill, yet still universally enjoyed, Warm Wishes left the crowd with thank you’s and smiles after their incredible set.
Gingerbee
Succeeding Warm Wishes, Gingerbee introduced a new kind of energy to the Brooklyn venue. Describing themselves as “5th wave emo bedroom skramz”, their presence is loud, engaging, and light-hearted, as they danced around the stage while performing. To the crowd's amusement, during the entirety of their set Gingerbee had 2008's ASDF movie shorts projected on the wall and looping behind them. Along with the splash of youtube nostalgia, their vocals were raw and powerful, forming a rowdy mosh pit and building a foundation of good energy that was able to persist throughout the rest of the concert.
Godfuck
In the middle of the five-band lineup was Godfuck, a skramz band from Massachusetts. Their first and only request from the crowd as they made their way onto the stage was to open up the pit, but their instructions were specific. They instructed everyone to circle up, but not to start moving just yet. As the lead singer got the entire venue to crouch down around them on the floor, suddenly, all at once, the crowd sprung to their feet with them, turning the floor into a sea of bodies. The stage quickly became the new pit as stage divers swiftly made their way up and down. Godfuck was a powerful force to be reckoned with, leaving the crowd sweaty but smiling.
Oolong
Second to last, beloved Long Island emo band Oolong graced the stage with intricate, twinkly guitar riffs and an upbeat performance. The group of four plays off each other’s energy well, communicating through their music while on stage. Beginning their set with a lie about hating bagels, a ludicrous statement to come from any New Yorker, they easily had concertgoers laughing as well as moshing. Oolong’s energy is unbeatable and their performances are never short of fun, rocking the crowd with their bright presence.
Your Arms Are My Cocoon
Easily the most anticipated performer of the night and headliner, Your Arms Are My Cocoon, made their way into the spotlight after Oolong’s energetic set. As wedding music fills the venue and heads turn, lead singer Tyler Odom parts the floor and walks down to the stage, adorned in a fluffy wedding gown and rabbit ears. This part of their set has become a staple of their recent tour making for a more interesting and engaging performance. The bunny ears do not stay on for long, as the group’s lo-fi screamo reaches a new and exciting level when it is shared live. One with the audience, the entirety of the band is interactive and full of energy, often leaving the stage to dive into the crowd themselves. There is a special kind of magic created as the band gets on the same level as their fans, holding onto one another and screaming together. Everyone is on the same plane of existence, shouting the same lyrics and holding on to each other as a single entity. Powerfully ending their set, Your Arms Are My Cocoon is talented and real, completing a community of people who love making music just as much as them.
Your Arms Are My Cocoon and their supporting bands showcased the intimate moments that performers can have with the audience and how united music scenes can be. Putting on an unforgettable gig, New York will eagerly await their return. In the meantime, you can keep an eye out for Oolong and Warm Wishes' shows in and around New York, as they are here to stay. Get to the Gig