Mad props need to be given to the good people at JellyNYC for providing free Sunday concerts in a quintessentially Brooklyn atmosphere, an old abandoned swimming pool. These concerts are already a success with the likes of The Slip, Pretty Girls Make Graves and Of Montreal having played in July. The first free show in August saw a mix of styles poured onto the huge stage which runs along the middle of the pool, blasting its sound out to all corners of the neighboring McCarren Park.
The day was a relaxing break from the oppressive heat that has been bogging down the east coast recently, but the sun still shone brightly, keeping most people out of the empty pool and lined against the wall in the shade for the Trick and the Heartstrings set. Dance rock with extended jams punctuated by falsetto lyrics, the set contained a Prince like feel. The band then took it a step further incorporating syncopated dance steps into their performance, which was amusing at first, but quickly became over done and rendered their set, well, silly. After a long extended break between acts (which were moved along by DJ’s Kool Kear and Todd-O-Phonic Todd all day) The Everyothers took the stage. A fitting name as their bar band style was adequate, but seemed interchangeable with every other bluesy rock act out there as suitable for a free moment under the mid day sun, but just as forgettable.
After another long break where people explored the bouncy slip and slide, the Brooklyn Beer tents and the frenzied Dodgeball court, The Legendary Maxine Brown took the stage to belt out some R&B classics. With a tight backing band and a bevy of dancers invited onstage from the crowd Maxine tried to get the party grooving with Sam and Dave’s “Hold On, I’m Coming,” but horns should be required for this song at all times and they were absent today. Maxine ended her set with a few ballads that sapped the energy out of the crowd, but showcased her velveteen voice.
The headlining Detroit Cobras came on getting those in attendance up off their asses and shimmying to retro garage rock. Lead singer Rachel Nagy joked about the band not being programmed for playing during the day, but the hip shaking dirty soul rave up did not suffer by leaving the dark clubs behind. Some gremlins caused feedback issues, but they were minor, and the band seemed to gain steam as they rolled through the set, playing fan favorites like “Cha Cha Twist,” “Hot Dog” and Otis Redding’s “Shout Bamalama.” The Cobras energetic set ended a fun day of music, where tattoo’s and babies were out in force, parading around the graffiti covered pool, enjoying a Sunday in the 718.
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