While many flocked to Madison Square Garden to camp out for the Sweat Tour, indie rockers came to landmark venue Baby’s All Right to bear witness to the latest members of the shoegaze and alternative rock revival. Shower Curtain, the Brazil-born New York-based dreamgaze newcomers, opened for the dream-pop band Winter. Apart from sharing musical influences and sound the two band’s frontwomen Victoria and Samira Winter also share DNA: they’re sisters. Throughout the night, friends, family, and fans of the two bands shared their support in a familial manner.
At first, it was startling how few people were there, but by Shower Curtain’s first set, the room was packed. The night began with colorful and warm hues from Baby’s distinctive stage lights ushering guests onto the floor. Frontwoman Victoria Winter sweetly adjusted her sparkly guitar strap and microphone while Ethan Williams (guitar), Sean Turrell (drums), and Cody Hudgins (bass) prepared their instruments. Despite their sophomoric demeanor, they started with a hit. “Wish You Well,” a single from their upcoming album words from a wishing well, balanced the band’s youthful kindness with their more hardened dissonance.
Each musician was a master of their instrument, as Winter chastely wailed into the microphone Hudgins slashed on his bass. The entire show Willaims performed in his socks, as he adjusted his pedals with his toes. Winter lifted her guitar and massaged the strings with her fingers, contrasted by Turrell, who was ripping so hard into his drums at one point the sticks flew away. He quickly replaced them and continued. Despite the spectacle, at no point did Shower Curtain feel gimmicky or overwrought, the band conveyed an air of authenticity and earnestness. The intensity with which they played was not performative. They were rehearsed, yes, but each song communicated a primalness that exhilarated the crowd. They were imperfect, but crafty. They were reminiscent of what one can imagine seeing early performances of indie pioneers like Pavement or Chapterhouse in the 90s was like: the same fuzzy, electric talent waiting to be harnessed for everyone to see.
As Shower Curtain exited the stage, the harsh lights shifted towards a moodier blueish-purple, and smoke filled the room. Samira Winter, frontwoman of Winter, emerged in an ankle-length white gown. She smiled out to the audience before beginning her dreamy set. While Shower Curtain was grungier and more potent, Winter was softer and moody. The band was playful, and performed some new tracks from their upcoming album. Their sound does not really stray beyond the typical meandering handful of shoegaze chords. Most of their set featured the familiar tuned screeches and looping “Oohs” and “Ahhs” found in modern shoegaze bands of the 21st Century. While not a fault of the band, it does speak to the oversaturation of the genre since its relatively recent revival. That is not to say that the band is not innovative, or good in their niche, though. Fans should look forward to newer, sloping interludes, intercutting synths, and bright piano melodies.In general, their sound is more mature and composed than their openers’; Samira’s feathery voice complemented the concurrent haze left by the guitar and bass. Samira noted the positive energy from the crowd, gleaming into the audience and thanking her sister for welcoming Winter into the New York scene, and her family for coming to support them.
Similar to Shower Curtain, Winter projected a sense of honesty with each song. The dynamic between the two bands shined on the dynamic most siblings share. Shower Curtain, literally and metaphorically, is the brattier, grimier younger sister, loudly stomping on pedals and amps, while Winter served as the sweet and sentimental older sister, wistfully singing into the mic. Perhaps more venues should consider booking families because, by the end of the sets, each member of the audience was cheering with warmth for the Winter sisters. Family, friends, and fans united in their appreciation for the two acts.
