October opened with a one-two punch as the dreamy double bill of the Psychedelic Furs and The Jesus and Mary Chain turned College Street Music Hall into a post-punk version of heaven.
The two lyrically and sonically charged bands have more than their legendary status in common: both were started by and continue to be anchored by brothers, both have been making music for over 40 years, and both have a unique sound that has been highly influential but can never be confused with anyone else.
Opening the show was Frankie Rose, who came to a darkened stage bathed in red light and backed by a projection screen, from which various sculptures, shapes, and static accentuated her New Wave-peppered electric pop that married sexy synths, moody guitars, and melodic vocals.
As the crowd filled in, more and more people — from teens to sexagenarians — cheered her on and some were even singing along. I hear this New York-based musician and songwriter has performed previously at the Space Ballroom, but she was new to me, a perfect start to the night’s proceedings. It was the type of music I spent a number of my younger years listening to in my room while writing: ethereal with an edge. I may start doing that again with Rose’s discography (actually, I already have: her latest album, Love as Projection, is playing in the background while I’m writing this piece.)
