Sid Simons & The Darlings Electrify The Bowery Ballroom
new york, new york - july 12, 2024
The Bowery Ballroom is brimming with anticipation by the time I find a good place to stand; a light chatter floats over the room, a crowd of people seen buzzing around the bar, similarly hunting for a good vantage point. Last Friday marked Sid Simons’ biggest headline show yet, and the last time we’ll see him in New York for a while, thus the beehive was growing by the minute.
Around 9:30, Rose Paradise, clad in a sparkling headpiece and flowing sleeves a la Daisy Jones, took the stage. She, along with her six piece band, gave a mesmerizing folk rock performance, ending with a call and response that quickly had the audience wrapped around her finger. Bloomsday was next up, enchanting listeners with dreamlike vocals and crushingly candid lyrics: “I saw God buying a dollar slice,” singer Iris James Garrison croons with Adrienne-Lenker-esque ardor, “He said, “won’t you try to let go and live your life instead of wasting it?”” Though I wasn’t familiar with either act beforehand, Rose Paradise and Bloomsday reminded me of the joys of stumbling upon new bands to love.
Shortly after they exit, a hush falls over the crowd as a montage lights up the stage screen. It gradually picks up speed, flashing images from the “Dead Ringer” music video before abruptly cutting to Simons alone in the studio. The air is charged in the pit–everyone is holding their breath. As his voiceover begins, the video’s message is clear: Sid Simons has roots here. He recalls sneaking into the Ballroom as a kid, witnessing artists like Angel Olsen, Radiohead, and Yo La Tengo perform in their primes. “I think I’ve been kicked out of Bowery just as many times as I’ve gone,” he narrates with a laugh. “Now,” he begins, a smile evident in his voice, “it’s my turn.” Simons’ affection for the venue shines not only in the heartfelt video, but in his excitement to play; the band is on fire from the get go. “Dead Ringer” is the perfect opener, showcasing not only their musical talent, but the band’s wonderful chaos–within two minutes, Simons is stage diving, rolling, and spraying the crowd, all with a grin on his face. Simons’ sister joined the band shortly after for a few songs, her smooth vocals a welcome addition to the group’s sound.
Zach Gaffo and Jensen Gore are the picture of Lennon and McCartney on guitar and bass, looking straight out of the sixties as they give a synchronous “woo-woo!” into the mic. As I draw the comparison, I can’t help but laugh to myself, observing the crowd of screaming fans around me, not unlike Beatlemania. It’s not hard to see why they’re so excited–the music is magnetic, the band electric, and I can feel the bass in my chest as I jump with them. It doesn’t take long for a mosh pit to form, and one thing becomes quickly apparent: there’s no “easing into” a Sid Simons concert. We’ve gone from zero to one hundred instantly, and it’s fascinating to watch.
In an interview with Off the Record, Simons and Gaffo talk about wanting their concerts to be more–a performance, rather than just a show–and they’ve accomplished just that tonight. Spotlights bathe the room in blues, reds, and greens, shifting and flashing in tandem with the drumbeats. “These Days” was a crowd (and my personal) favorite, and had everyone gleefully chanting “You don’t even really know me!” The chemistry between the six members is palpable–their joy is infectious. For “Only Smile,” Simons cements his place as this circus’ ringleader, commanding the audience to hold up their lighters in solidarity as he sings, “But you've seen the sun on a dismal day / And you can love someone who's lost their way.” The song is a nice change of pace at this point in the night, a reminder that Simons can deliver both rock ‘n’ roll mayhem and vulnerable, heartfelt lyricism.
Huxley Kulhmann and Sammi Katzmann are the standouts on keys/guitar and sax, respectively. Kuhlmann’s keys are strong and rompy, and it’s obvious how much they add to each song–if Simons vocals launch us into the band’s 60s rock sound, Kuhlmann sticks the landing. Katzmann’s sax is subtler on the recording of “Beneath the Brightest Smiles,” but live, her performance shines; I was quick to whip out my camera when her solos began. More saxophones in modern rock, please!!! Noah Boling rounds out The Darlings, holding down the fort with sharp percussion–the drums are crisp and cutting in every track, dependable yet playful in their melody.
Simons ends the night with “Wendy,” my, and many other fans’, introduction to Simons’ music. The song made waves after going viral in a TikTok video last year, and was the perfect way to close the show. It’s a lovely full circle moment, ending with the band giddily running offstage to go celebrate–but not before one last encore.
Sid Simons and the Darlings are vibrant, joyful, and one of a kind–a can’t miss, if they ever grace your city. You can find “Beneath the Brightest Smiles” on all streaming platforms, and check out Off the Record’s interview with Sid here.
