On Thursday night of June 27th, Bandits on the Run performed for the notable winery, City Winery, in anticipation of their upcoming EP to be released later this summer.
The NYC based three-part band are tough to pin down, seamlessly fusing indie, folk, soul, and witch-pop (it’s as cool as it sounds). However, their signature trio of harmonies and distinctive instrumentation are what turns heads and makes them sets them apart from the rest, and their charisma and almost theatrical stage presence is what makes audiences remember them.
The beginning of their set did not disappoint. The three members of the band, their friends, and the opening band cheered and sang as they walked through the crowd to the stage in a single file procession with masks and headdresses. Then taking the stage declaring, “This is a stickup!” and launched into their first song.
The crowd was not shy to join in with their more popular songs, like, ‘What To Do,’ ‘Blue Heaven,’ ‘Funky Ghost, and ‘Paris.’ Towards the end of the set, the bandits slowed it down with a couple of ballads, one of which is coming out on their new EP this summer. The other was my personal favorite, ‘Back Home,’ a forlorn folk number about missing home, done with a gospel choir in the background.
This fascinating and dynamic band forged their songs using the acoustics of the NYC subway stations to make symphonies for the public, the marking of a true NYC band. They even wrote a song about two of the band members meeting in the subway called, ‘Love In the Underground.’ The sincerity of their lyrics brings an interesting twist to their nostalgic melodies with shades of Motown, pop, and indie-folk. As they are preparing for a tour in Europe and the release of their new EP this summer, this band is just gathering momentum as they shoot for stardom.
For those soon to be fans that missed this show, their next visit to NYC will be August 16 at the Mercury Lounge to celebrate the drop of their new EP, Bandits Live at the Power Station.
