America’s oldest performing arts center, BAM, is gearing up to host what may be Brooklyn’s most refined, intellectually stimulating music festival: Crossing Brooklyn Ferry Festival. Running from May 3-5, the festival is curated by The National’s Bryce Dessner and Aaron Dessner, and features a lineup of many of their collaborators and friends.
It’s a good bet that you’re likely to be turned on to what at first will be strange and new interesting music, as well as performances across other mediums. There will be films. There may be some dance. There will definitely be indie classical crossover. Several groups in the lineup are of a more classical persuasion, such as JACK Quartet, NOW Ensemble, and yMusic; the latter of which has performed compositions written by the likes of indie darlings Annie Clark of St. Vincent and Sharon Warden of My Brightest Diamond. And wouldn’t you know, My Brightest Diamond + yMusic will be performing together on the last day of the fest.
A few more bands of note:
Zs – Village Voice already described this band quite well, advising to “think Black Dice performed by Sun Ra and you’re getting closer.”
Buke and Gase – A talented duo of multi-instrumentalists who modify their instruments so much that they almost don’t even sound like anything recognizable. They are the type of band you have to watch to understand.
Ava Luna – this band is definitely one of my favorite personal discoveries of this year so far, and they really do fit in well at this classy-ass festival. Plus, I’m still not over their latest LP, Ice Level.
Plus this NYC via New Orleans band Callers, who have a really fresh jazz art pop vibe going, topped with beautifully dusty vocals. They also have a song featuring Delicate Steve that you can hear on their Facebook.
There will be headlining sets by The Walkmen, St. Vincent, Beirut, and earlier performances by other dealmakers like Sharon Van Etten, Caveman, Atlas Sound, The Antlers, Tyondai Braxton, and even the borough’s own Brooklyn Youth Chorus. The last two days of the festival will end on late night DJ sets by more local artist indie favorites. Get the full schedule, find tickets, and view some cool cardboard art all at crossingbrooklynferry.com.
