Manhattan’s intimate Mercury Lounge welcomed alternative rock group SAMSARA with open arms on Thursday, January 29th. The concert hall is known for their ability to highlight emerging rock artists, while keeping space for established bands to return back to. It’s a place brimming with loyal fans, and local New Yorkers. Undoubtedly, the perfect spot for SAMSARA to run through their latest album, whatever helps you sleep at night.
Before SAMSARA took the stage, the night started off with The Sheer Currents. From NYC themselves, their discography balances a blend of rich guitar instrumentals with catchy lyricism. Their track-lists are reminiscent of early Arctic Monkeys including head-banging riffs from their latest EP, Through-Line and driving melodies that one can’t help but sway their body to.
As 10pm rolled around, MORAVIAN took the stage, dressed in all black. Leaning into the early 2000s rock, “boy-band” aesthetic, MORAVIAN blends modern-pop choruses with a raw rock sound. Their nine hour commute from Detroit didn’t hold them back from flying across the stage. Listeners were urged forward, reaching up to grab falling red roses from above. MORAVIAN played their most recent single, “Ashes,” before closing off their set with a cover of “End of Beginning” by DJO.
There was a buzz in the air, cheers breaking out across the audience as SAMSARA appeared in view. SAMSARA hails from Long Island and Queens, consisting of Dylan Trif (Lead Vocals), Ben Bustamante (Drums/Background Vocals), Charlie LoMonaco (Guitar/Background Vocals), John Devito (Bass), and Brendan Sandhovel (Guitar).
Recognized for their heavy yet ambient sound, SAMSARA is not afraid to push upon the boundaries of rock music. Their goal is to drive up energy and start a mosh, whenever there’s a chance. As frequent performers at Mercury Lounge, primarily for singles and EPs, it was simply kismet for the space to host them for their latest work.
Mercury Lounge turned into a frenzy. Fans launched their hands into the air, thrashing their heads to mimic Sandhovel on stage in a hypnotic, captivating set. SAMSARA made sure to do a full playthrough, including classics such as, “mrs.porter” and “how do you say my name?”
By the time whatever helps you sleep at night rolled to a finish, the crowd started screaming out requests. The loudest praise was for their beloved single, “OUT OF SIGHT.” When Trif broke out in song, chants of, “Sometimes I feel like I’m always in my head, Some days I can’t get myself out of bed” followed in suit.
This is only the begining for SAMSARA. Their next shows include Massapequa VFW on Feburary 18 and The Meadows in Brooklyn on February 23rd.
SAMSARA.- Mercury Lounge- Thursday, January 29, 2026
Setlist: mrs.porter, can you not stay any longer? So far gone, talking to a stranger, lexi, how do you say my name?, I’m alive!, restless nights, everest
Encore: OUT OF SIGHT
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