New York based multi-genre indie band ‘City of The Sun’ performed at Elsewhere on Friday, November 7. With opener rock trio ‘Forager’ known for their indie psychedelic sound.
City of The Sun kicked off a celebratory hometown show coinciding with the release of their new song Vuela with Gizmo Varillas and the announcement of the bands upcoming album titled, Under the Moon. The all instrumental band formed in 2011, featuring guitarists John Pita, Avi Snow, and percussionist Zach Para. The band leans into Latin influences while fusing indie rock, folk, surfy-guitar driven groove and afro rhythms.
The dynamic trio began as a group of buskers, playing their acoustic driven instrumentals in parks, the echoing subway stations and anywhere the band could gain traction from the public. Music born from the streets, they defined the sound of driven New Yorkers. John Pita stated during the show, “I miss that time. The time we all played on sidewalks. That was a fun time, before it all happened.”
City of The Sun illuminates a sonic and cinematic soundscape that left the crowd feeling transcendent. Their music invites the audience to feel the sound as movement. The absence of lyrics pulls people inward and speaks directly to an emotional unity. The band motivated the crowd to not only listen but absorb the hypnotic rhythms and percussive guitars. Their live performance became a shared experience between musician and audience, transforming into a meditative celebration.
“The New York City trio does what they do best – use their insane musicianship to create evocative instrumental tracks that don’t need lyrics to speak to the listener.”
— ALEXA SHOUNEYIA, BILLBOARD
By the end of the night, it became clear that City of The Sun doesn’t just play to perform, they play to remind their audience how it feels to be fully present. Each song built a space where melody and rhythm replaced language, leaving the crowd feeling euphoric. Their musicianship builds a rare kind of communication and made for a memorable Friday night.
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