Midrift Takes on the East Coast
brooklyn, new york - february 19, 2025
Midrift brought the heat to a freezing NYC night, playing a sold-out show at Baby’s All Right on Friday, February 19th. From Northern California, the young trio has been doing big things ever since releasing their first EP in 2022. With support from Brooklyn’s very own, Mx Lonely, and a more experimental set by Her New Knife from Pennsylvania, the low and personal stage welcomed stage divers and crowd surfers alike.
Mx Lonely opened with a short but exciting set. Powerful and punchy, they are self-described as “heavy gaze”, mixing shoegaze-inspired guitar riffs with commanding vocals. They were followed shortly after by Her New Knife who opened their set with a cover of Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd, so good that it had some in the crowd questioning the band’s genre of music. After a taste of some southern rock, the band dove into their discography, a unique and fresh take on shoegaze, with melodic, clangy guitar textures.
The small stage at Baby’s All Right immerses you in a band’s sound and energy, allowing the entire room to engage fully with the artists playing. Midrift was beaming as they took the stage and, although they were missing their usual bassist, the band’s chemistry was exciting as they played a mix of old and new songs for the eager crowd. Younger than the other bands playing that night, they are energetic and fun, clearly happy to be performing the music they love for a live audience. Playing a fun Title Fight cover before ending off their set with a couple of older songs, Midrift puts on a good show, helping keep the excitement of live music alive for younger adults and teenagers.
Small bands and live music are alive and well in New York City, facilitating community and helping the growth of local art in spaces such as Baby’s All Right. These spaces offer scene crossovers and the sharing of music even from states away. Midrift, Her New Knife, and Mx Lonley’s recent show is proof of this important crossover for musicians and music lovers alike, from the west coast all the way to the east coast.
