To give you an idea of how Harlem’s show at the Mercury Lounge went on Thursday evening, I’ll give you the parting phrase from lead singer Michael Coomers: “Be kind when telling your friends about this show.” Rough.
The show was in the early slot at Mercury Lounge – a tough spot for any band – and suffered from a lackluster audience that seemed more set on standing than doing any dancing. Earlier on in the show, Coomers seemed like he was about to thank the audience for paying attention. Instead, he cut it short at “Thanks for paying,” drawing an awkward laugh from the crowd. Over the course of their forty-five minute set, Harlem visibly lost interest in the crowd and the concert. “Christ this is too early,” Croomers noted. Toward the end of the set he muttered, “I would really like to hang out at somebody’s house right now.”
I would have liked that too. Because the fact of the matter was that Harlem – as a band – was pretty darn good. They played the set I expected them to play – raucous record tunes cranked up a bit on stage. They ripped through songs new and old, with recent single “Friendly Ghost” highlighting the set. The drums, which featured the largest bass drum I have ever seen, were crisp; the guitars played fast and loose with measures and time signatures. It was rock and roll with the safety off.
But it just wasn’t meant to be – Harlem is meant to play sweaty basement shows that start in the single digits of the morning. They’re a band you want to see when your legs are at the point of collapse and a wall of sound is all that’s keeping you awake. Instead, Thursday night gave concertgoers a story to tell.
“Christ, you really want this to continue?” asked Croomers as the crowd lazily called Harlem back for the obligatory encore. He offered another suggestion: “Let’s go watch another band fucking ruin their Village Voice critique.”
In reality, it was a lesson learned, not a reputation ruined. Harlem held up their end of the bargain and played a solid show. In fact, the show made me excited to see them again, somewhere where people are dancing. Next time I’ll make sure it’s dark outside.
