Sid Simons and The Darlings Kick Off the Summer at the Rockaway Hotel
Rockaway Beach, New York - May 25th, 2024
Sammi Katzmann (left), Sid Simons (middle), and Jensen Gore (right) | photograph by Nat Tucker (@nat__tucker)
Memorial Day weekend sparks a unique yet universal feeling of anticipation and thrill each year. In addition to the national holiday itself, there is much to celebrate: warmer weather, longer days, and less work (thank you, Summer Fridays). Last Saturday, all reasons for celebration converged on the breezy terrace of the Rockaway Hotel as revelers gathered to end their beach days with an evening of live music. The stage was set with views of the Atlantic to the east and New York City to the west. However, all eyes were set on Sid Simons and The Darlings as they took the stage.
High off the recent release of his debut album, Beneath the Brightest Smiles, Simons had his own reason to celebrate that evening. He and his band were opening for The Heavy Heavy about an hour from their usual downtown Manhattan rock clubs. Despite this, 20-something-year-olds who made the trek from the city made up the first two rows of the crowd, a clear indication of the band’s showmanship and the album’s success.
Simons and The Darlings began the night with “Three Days,” to which their supporters sang along fluently. The rest of the crowd was not as familiar with Simons’s music, as proved by the person behind me who asked, “Is this the main band?” I confirmed it was not but noted how they stayed nearby to listen. Simons ended the upbeat tune by repeating “You don’t even really know me,” and I smiled at the irony.
“Families staying at the hotel came out onto their balconies overlooking the terrace” | photograph by Nat Tucker (@nat__tucker)
The less acquainted individuals appeared eager to get to know Simons better, though, as the band transitioned into “Toy Gun.” Those at the perimeter of the crowd came in closer, and families staying at the hotel came out onto their balconies overlooking the terrace. On one balcony, a baby bounced along to the punchy drum beat while, on another, a slightly older child in an oversized hotel bathrobe clutched their stuffed bunny and swayed to Sammi Katzmann’s bright saxophone. Both sets of parents clapped along, happy to tire out their kids just a bit more before bedtime.
Now properly introduced, both the crowd and the band loosened up and bent to the opening riff of “Dead Ringer.” Watching any band with more than four members play on a small stage can be tense and distracting. However, the six-piece band that is Sid Simons and The Darlings, did not only play but performed with ease. In rhythm with the ocean beyond the terrace, Simons and his bandmates flowed with one another. The ripples they created were felt by the audience who moved in response as the chorus released into a surge of 60s Americana sounds.
Simons then slowed down with the sentimental, lullaby-like song, “Please Stop Smoking Mum.” The little ones on the balconies above let out yawns, and their parents took the opportunity to usher them inside. Those remaining in the audience below draped their arms around each other and swayed, listening more intently to Simons’s softened voice. Squeezes and nose scrunches were exchanged in the moment of tenderness the song created.
“Those remaining in the audience below draped their arms around each other and swayed” | photograph by Ana Gonzalez (@anagonzalllez)
The band kicked into an unreleased, Western-sounding tune, “Under My Skin,” and reminded everyone that the set was far from over. A crowd’s response to new music can be fickle, but this crowd gave their literal nods of approval as they bopped their heads to the beat of Jensen Gore’s hardy baseline. The band ripped into the chorus and fans leaned into the music, forming a friendly mosh pit to compensate for the lyrics they didn’t know. The movement warmed the crowd as the sun fell behind the hotel.
Huxley Kuhlmann’s strong but careful piano tone then introduced “Dirt.” Simons’s voice brought out the chill in the air as he sang, “I just want to leave my life, just for a little while.” The rest of the band lit up to support Simons as he repeated the line. Encouraged, the crowd joined in and belted through the rest of the song. The shared moment perfectly matched the song’s message: we are never as alone as we may perceive when facing hardships.
After such an emotional song, Simons took a moment to introduce and thank each of his bandmates. Simons gave a special shout-out to his drummer, Greg Venizelos, who was filling in for their usual drummer, Noah Boling. A fan began chanting “Greg! Greg! Greg!” which quickly caught on. Venizelos smiled and shrugged before starting a drum roll. The rest of the band followed his lead and built into their most popular song, “Wendy.” If there was anyone who hadn’t been dancing before, they surely were then as the rhythm accelerated and Zach Saffo riffed on the lead guitar.
Simons and The Darlings carried that spirit into the final song of the night. Although the song is unnamed and unreleased, Simons’s supporters proved just how loyal they were by punching the air in perfect time with the drums and singing the hook before Simons even leaned into the mic to do so. The crowd continued shouting “I’m not singing for you” and Simons layered the melody of the bridge over the top. The engaging moment left the audience breathless and animated for the rest of the long weekend ahead and the promising summer beyond it.
This June, catch Sid Simons and The Darlings as they venture even further beyond New York beaches on their Pacific Northwest tour. In July, their hometown crowd will welcome them back as they headline Bowery Ballroom in New York City. Buy tickets here.
Stream Beneath the Brightest Smiles and read my review of the album here.
Polaroids by Allison McWhite (@allisonxxa)
