Though they’re often claimed by their Southern California fans, Delta Spirit are in many ways a quintessential Brooklyn band. They exude that punk-hipster vibe both in their style of dress and in their sound, and it’s clear when they’re in the cooler-than-thou borough that Brooklynite fans feel a certain ownership over them. Their recent three-night run in New York City found them playing the tiny, low-ceilinged Mercury Lounge (surprising given their immense following), the classic Bowery Ballroom, and finally, the Music Hall of Williamsburg, a venue so ideally suited to them they should play it monthly. However, their recent pilgrimage to Austin, Texas has them a bit further out of reach than their fans would like, and it was a treat to have them back in Brooklyn, even just for a night
With an impressive light show that featured a huge background of rotating images of celestial space-scapes, sherbet-hued sunsets, dark crashing water, icy urban landscapes, trippy pyramids and more, this installation could be perceived as a kind of ode to rootlessness—perfect for a band that’s really spread itself across the US. But whether the meaning was something so grandiose and existential, or simply a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing backdrop, it was truly spectacular, and added a level of excitement to their already energetic set.
Playing almost the entirety of their fantastic new record Into the Wide, a lush pop-rock foray into a bigger sound than anything they’ve ever done, Delta Spirit put on an amazing show from start to finish. Their energy never waned even for a second, as they crushed through songs like “From Now On”, “Empty House”, “Take Shelter”, “California”, and “Language of the Dead”. Encouraging their fans to sing along (though most of them were, already) to “Tear it Up”, “Live On”, and “People C’Mon”, the guys seemed over-the-moon to be in the company of this loving audience.
Lead singer Matthew Vasquez is a huge personality and his live performance shows how much he adores being on stage. His over-the-top goofiness at this show was so endearing, as he never takes himself too seriously, and even mentioned both his cat and his wife (as an intro to the glorious, soaring tune “Yamaha”). He also displays the utmost love and adoration for his band mates, twice embracing them so genuinely; you were wishing they were all your best buds. Vasquez expressed deepest gratitude for getting to play these shows to such enthusiastic crowds, telling us he wouldn’t trade it for anything. He’s a “live-in-the-now” type of guy, and seems to play every show like it’s his last.
This is a band that’s bursting with charisma onstage. Vasquez’s theatrical performance included playing guitar with his mouth, making funny inside jokes about Brooklyn (changing the name of fan favorite “Bushwick Blues” to “East Williamsburg Blues”), and designating part of the set as the “booty shaking part” where he does a zombie walk and exposes his belly, while shimmying toward the edge of the stage. Even when he finishes singing a more dramatic tune like the John Hughes film-ready “Patriarch”, he flashes a silly grin, reminding us that he’s still having a blast.
The best part of the night came when the guys employed the “anti-encore” that’s growing in popularity. “We’re gonna skip the encore bullshit and get a sip of whiskey,” Vasquez said, promising they’d be right back to play their final set, and minutes later they were. And as they rocked out to “Money Saves” and the title track of their new record “Into the Wide”, both with thrashing guitars, the audience didn’t want the night to end.
