Gramercy Theatre presents: The Rocket Summer, June 21, 2023, in New York City, NY
Words and photos by: Chantel Malin
Bryce Avary, better known as The Rocket Summer, came to New York City on June 21st as part of his summer tour in celebration of his most recent release, SHADOWKASTERS. His first full-length album since 2019, the record is the latest installation in Avary’s decades long, genre transcending, illustrious career.
The Juliana Theory opened the show with an acoustic version of their usual rock sound, still managing to command an audience despite their quieter sound and fewer band members. Duo Brett Detar and Joshua Fiedler played through a 45 minute set that would delight any fan of early 2000s pop punk; having returned after disbanding in 2006 and a few subsequent reunions, they breathed new life into songs dating back to 1999. The two of course didn’t forget to bring some humor into the night, breaking into an impromptu cover of “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys after commenting on its similarity to their song “Something Isn’t Right Here.”
Avary began his headlining set with a solo rendition of “Stuck Inside Your Light,” before quickly picking the energy up as his band joined him on stage. They followed with “Break It Out” and “So Much Love,” two fan favorites from 2007’s Do You Feel. The whole Rocket Summer band took us on a whirlwind time-traveling journey, bringing us to newer songs “Shatter Us” and “M4U” before diving back to 2005 with “Never Knew.”
Always one to value the honestly and vulnerability of music, Avary commented on his desire to get even closer to his audience, before jumping distraught into the center of the floor to perform “Goodbye Waves and Driveways.” Back on stage, he commented on how polite his fans are, and New York as a whole, saying that as a Texan he has always adored the city and felt so welcomed here. Following the moody favorite “Brat Pack” and the alluring “FL, CA,” the audience was treated to a blast of confetti during “Eyes 2 Skies,” which Avary later joked about finding trapped between the keys of his keyboard.
After playing through the brutally honest tracks “A Song Is Not A Business Plan” and the equally vulnerable “Cross My Heart,” Avary brought out his sitar for the lengthily titled “Do You See Your Dreamscapes In Your Dreams Before The Dream Escapes When The Sun Beams.” Struggling through the mouthful of a title, he joked that he only wrote the song as an excuse to play the sitar, and that he may have titled it after being awake for several days straight.
Ending the main set on a mellower note with “So, In This Hour…” Avary told the audience it was time to pick it back up for the encore with some drums. Hailed one of the great songwriters of the indie pop/rock world and something of a modern Prince, Avary is known for playing every single instrument on his records, and he played homage to this fact with an improvised live loop session. The multi-instrumentalist built up layer of drums, piano, guitar, vocals, and harmonies to essentially create a full song in a matter of a few minutes. He then played “I’m Doing Everything For You” for the first time in several years, commenting that it was only fitting as it was written in Brooklyn.
Staying solo on stage for a bit longer, Avary took requests from a very eager audience, including “Show Me Everything You’ve Got,” “Colors,” and “Around The Clock,” before returning to his planned set with the tender track “Walls” made even more heartfelt with its bare piano and vocal delivery. Avary invited his band back out to finish the night with 2007’s hit and longtime favorite “Do You Feel,” followed by “Hills and Valley” - a commentary on the beauty of the world and its travels, and a fitting way to end a beautiful night filled to the brim with equally beautiful music and positive energy.
Check out the full gallery of The Rocket Summer below!
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