Running with the 95 Bulls in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Stacie Joy 

The Brooklyn-Queens-based five-piece 95 Bulls, led by vocalist Emily Ashenden, tore through a grimy collision of garage punk, post-punk and synth-wave in Tompkins Square Park yesterday afternoon as part of a free Show Brain lineup. 

Here are a few scenes from their fiery set...

Show Brain brings more live music to Tompkins Square Park TODAY

Show Brain returns to Tompkins Square Park today for another afternoon (2-6)  of FREE live music.

Singer-songwriter Sid Simons headlines with: 

• 95 Bulls 

• Dauber 

• Joudy

• Gold Roger

A special pop up in Tompkins Square Park yesterday

Photos by Stacie Joy 

To celebrate the release of their 13th studio album, There Near (released yesterday), Dinosaur Jr. have been playing a series of smaller venues and pop-up shows around the city. 

After a Thursday evening appearance at Lucinda's on Avenue A, the trio turned up in Tompkins Square Park yesterday afternoon for a free surprise show presented by Show Brain and Fender. 

The concert was first announced on Instagram around 10 a.m. 

Despite some later rumors that it wasn’t going to happen, J Mascis, Murph and Lou Barlow took their places (no stage!) and delivered a short, tight set.

The band will move on to larger venues for its 2027 tour. 

And now, J Mascis and friends, as they were announced...

After the set, Mascis quickly left Tompkins... but we did find a happy Lou Barlow and longtime drummer Murph...

Marc Rebillet was 'Outside' today in Tompkins Square Park

As you may have heard/seen... musician-YouTuber Marc Rebillet performed today on Ninth Street and Avenue A inside Tompkins Square Park...

... thanks to EVG reader David for the above pic... and many others for the YouTube link... part of his "We Outside" broadcast series...

Sunday afternoon with the booyah! kids in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Stacie Joy 

This past weekend saw the free two-day Show Brain Festival in Tompkins Square Park, featuring a lineup of 10 emerging bands. 

Here, we're focusing on the booyah! kids, a trio of NYC natives featuring Emma Lee...

...Aidan Ludlam...

... and Julian Kaufman...

The three take turns on lead vocals, with an intimate, DIY sound that pairs indie-pop sensibilities with lounge-y synth textures. (Their music has been described as "bedroom pop.") 

The band formed in 2018 and continued while the three attended college in different states. They have since released a full-length LP and several EPs, with a set of covers coming next. (A highlight Sunday was their take on Nelly's "Ride Wit Me" — the first time they played it live.) 

Between songs, Emma, an East Village native, talked about making another memory in Tompkins Square Park on this day. She recalled spending a lot of time there growing up — swimming in the mini pool with her brother and grabbing a slice at Nino's (RIP) on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place. She also gave shout-outs to her old East Village schools, the Neighborhood School and Tompkins Square Middle School.

You have a chance to catch the booyah! kids when they headline Night Club 101 on Avenue A on Sept. 26 as part of a five-city tour.

And a few faces in the crowd from their set ...

Show Brain Fest returns to Tompkins Square Park this weekend

Show Brain's fourth annual two-day indie music festival is back this weekend in Tompkins Square Park. 

Here's the lineup for the free Show Brain Fest... 

Aug. 8/Saturday

• Loose Buttons 

• Garret Elias 

• Improvement Movement 

• ISTA 

• Bonny

Aug. 9/Sunday

• Dogpark 

• The Booyah! Kids 

• Shilpa Ray 

• Alex Orange Drink 

• Mary Shelley 

Per the organizers: "Show Brain Fest is a weekend built by artists, fans, volunteers, and everyone who believes people should be able to access live music."

As always, these shows are a budget-friendly way to see some local touring bands ...

Sunday in the Park

Photos by Stacie Joy 

People of all ages gathered in Tompkins Square Park on Sunday afternoon as the annual Tompkins Square Riot Reunion unfolded. Here's a look at some faces in the crowd...