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The Pool Party Lives On in Williamsburg
Jelly NYC moves its free Sunday shows from McCarren Pool to the North Side waterfront and the quality lineup follows
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With three Sundays of Williamsburg “Pool Parties” still remaining in the season, it is safe to say that there are some real differences between the old location at McCarren Pool and the new one on the Williamsburg waterfront. Thankfully, having already given us shows from the likes of No Age and Deerhunter, Jelly NYC still knows how to promote a fresh lineup of bands.
On the negative side, it is not nearly the casual atmosphere that the pool was. Due to State Park restrictions, the crowd control and the distribution of liquor is much more “stringent” in 2009. The Lagunitas I.P.A. is still good but you can no longer walk to the front of the stage with it. You have to get your wristband, go through a security check point and into the fenced in over 21 zone where you can see the stage on a diagonal and hear half the sound. This presents a dilemma to the average New York concert-goer: beer or music? A tough choice in today’s soul crushing global environment. McCarren Pool had that look of decay and informality that made it seem like you were getting away with something by being there. Or maybe it was just me. Then again, for a “pool” it was certainly dirty and dry.
On the upside, the new location is stellar. The line into the outdoor venue/weed-choked lot/State Park/neighbor to half-built condos, seems to move faster than last year. Once inside the gate you have unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline and the river. You’d have to be pretty cynical not to appreciate that. Outside of the beer corral the sound is booming. You can hear it in the distance already as you make your walk from the L-train towards the river. There is plenty of open space, a basketball court, dodge-ball, food, beer and cold misting fans when the humidity ramps up. Which it did, indeed, last week for Simian Mobile Disco, Fiery Furnaces and Dark Meat.
Now that the real summer temperatures have returned along with the usual blanket of August moisture you can expect muggy days ahead. Don’t let that stop you from waxing your ironic facial hair and heading to Williamsburg for the remaining three weeks of FREE shows from the likes of Prince Paul, Girl Talk, Beach House and critic’s favorites Grizzly Bear. Just keep an eye out for park rangers if you’re having “too much fun.” They seem to be on the lookout for “funny business.” Just saying.
More information at thepoolparties.com.