Widowspeak at the Music Hall of Williamsburg is a Return to Form
Brooklyn, New York - June 16, 2026
The first time I heard Widowspeak was a little over a year ago in a TikTok of an older gentleman pouring himself a French roast and showcasing his vinyl collection. @crtrmon features a different record, bean blend, and piece of pottery nearly every morning, captivating the internet with his expansive taste in both music and coffee. Widowspeak seems to be a favorite of his, making an appearance in multiple videos as he starts his day. It’s easy to see why once you tune into the rest of their discography – the indie rock band’s languid energy is the perfect soundtrack for a slow morning, a lilting echo of eras long gone.
That was the overwhelming first impression of the band’s show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Tuesday – it felt, astonishingly, as though the audience was glimpsing into a concert that predated the digital age. The stage design consisted only of the band’s five musicians and two bundles of massive roses, a nod to their recent album. The energy in the room was so intimate, so present, that I felt a deep sense of embarrassment upon taking out my own phone to briefly record.
“The Hook” started the show off perfectly – acoustic-driven and bright, the song masterfully balances the band’s ‘70s influences with singer Molly Hamilton’s suave vocals, setting the night’s tone. The instrumental of the song, funnily enough, is reminiscent of the Broadway play Stereophonic. Like “Bright (Fast)” from the show’s soundtrack, “The Hook” contains a little bit of Arcade Fire, a dash of Tom Petty, and the smooth croon of neo-psychedelia singers like Hope Sandoval.
Hamilton’s soft rasp feels assured and humble all at once, dreamlike in her warbling. Her quips between songs, too, were incredibly charming; Hamilton remarked after the opening number that this was their first hometown show in a while, and yet the band felt right at home onstage.
Widowspeak’s New York City roots were palpable in their obvious comfort while performing. The musicians each nursed a Modelo as they effortlessly delivered song after song, winsome and charismatic even in their minor slip-ups – Hamilton endearingly laughed off a lyric flub, chuckling at her stage fright even after decades as the crowd eagerly rallied with supportive cheers.
For “If You Change,” a sunny, tender declaration of love, the band announced that they were bringing on a friend to play the tambourine: a man in a dog suit. Though perplexing to outsiders, fans of Widowspeak will recognize the character from the song’s music video featuring a lost beanie baby magically brought to life. The band enthusiastically welcomed their guest as Hamilton sang fondly over relaxed, agile guitar riffs. Giddy and nostalgic, “If You Change” embodies the band’s evolution as frontmen Hamilton and Robert Earl Thomas embraced parenthood last August – the love is patient, quieter, and yet feels stronger than ever.
Tying back her hometown roots, Hamilton began the penultimate number, “The Drive,” with a serendipitous anecdote – the singer-songwriter penned the lyrics while she was working in the box office of the Music Hall of Williamsburg, bringing a small guitar on her shifts to pass the time. “I brought it home,” she said sweetly, epitomizing the show’s sentiment: Widowspeak at the Music Hall of Williamsburg was a gorgeous homecoming, intimately reminiscent of a bygone era.
You can listen to Widowspeak’s seventh album, Roses, on all streaming platforms now – catch them this summer on their North American tour or in Europe in the fall!
Photography: Sam Felderman
