Soft Spot, Lootbug, Solitude
10selden
Woodbridge
Jan. 3, 2026
Do you need long hair to be a rock star? No. But it looks cool as hell when you’re whipping your head back and forth in perfect timing to the strum of the bass.
Gianni Carpanzano’s lengthy mane and devil-may-care demeanor not only fit the part on Saturday, but the sound of his band Soft Spot also backed it up. The Stamford-based, four-piece alternative band filled 10selden with their self-described spatial, atmospheric rock, transforming the intimate venue into a gritty universe of reverb and feeling. The band has been together for about three years and cite the acts Hum, Alice in Chains, Superheaven, Narrow Head, and Kurt Vile as influences – a lineage you can hear in their heavy and melancholic, yet melodic music.
From the first note, Soft Spot instilled a sense of immersion as their sound expanded the confines of the space. “Use Me” started with haunting, plaintive guitar riffs and languorous drumming that ratcheted up to a spirited scream fest between guitars and bass with pummeling drums. Just when the song descended once more, it would kick off again with a scorching snarl, mirroring the emotional rollercoaster of being used crudely by a romantic partner – the song’s message.
A dark, thunderous drum beat and snarling guitars drove “Loose,” a stuttering bass line punctuating throughout. Bathed in red lights, the band looked ominous and fully locked in. Carpanzano accidentally kicked over the mic in his excitement but didn’t miss a beat singing, “No control over what happens/I’m a freak I just/can’t help it.”
Their cover of Hum’s “Stars” was a rollicking hit that brought everyone out to the dancefloor. Naturally, a mini mosh pit was formed. The song started off plainly without backing music and with the twice repeated lyrics, “She thinks she missed the train to Mars/she’s out back counting stars.” Then the screeching guitars and bone-rattling drums swooped in, pulling the audience fully into the song’s gravity.
When Soft Spot performed their new track, “Temporary Bliss,” a zealous fan walked up to the stage, clutching his arms to his chest and giving the band an air hug, as Carpanzano sang, “I cannot follow this/it’s only temporary bliss. You could feel it was Carpanzano’s favorite song with every sway of his head. The track is set to be released as a single on March 20.
“Even without the lyrics, [our] music is emotive,” said Carpanzano, a statement reflected in their debut album’s title “This Will Make You Cry.” In fact, the band’s name stems from their music being as sensitive as the soft spot on a baby’s head – tender, vulnerable, and easily bruised.
As concertgoers exited the venue, the man who gave the air hug summed the show up simply. “Soft Spot just keeps getting better and better.”
You can catch Soft Spot for yourself in New Haven on March 19 as they kick off their third tour at café nine.
