Whether you came to Fall Fest early this year to go to the carnival or get an up-close spot to see Rae Sremmurd, you most likely got a chance to hear the opening band, Hello Brooklyn. Depending on your music tastes, they might have been your favorite performance of the day.
Hello Brooklyn is a cover band that originated in 2011, with only one founding member still playing with the band today. Their schedule consists of a wide variety of gigs, ranging from weddings and private events to clubs. They even have a residency at Ulysses, in Manhattan’s financial district, on Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. Although the band has had rotating members over the years, the five current members seem to be a perfect fit. Not only do they sound great together, but they also just enjoy each other’s company both on and off the stage.
Hello Brooklyn isn’t playing in hopes of being rich and famous – they play for their love of music and the friendships they have found with one another. In the coming years, they hope to maintain where they are now – established in the areas they play with, the freedom to make their own schedule and play the music they enjoy.
The band had a perfect mix of rock and pop throughout their two sets at Fall Fest. They also clearly had fun on stage, which made the crowd have fun watching. In a similar fashion to bands like Paramore, they have a pop vibe to their songs but infuse them with a rock or punk sound that can capture any audience’s attention.
Although the whole band was clearly talented, the real showstopper of their performance was the vocals of lead singer Liz Regan. With a unique voice that could be compared to Alanis Morisette or Sheryl Crow, Regan could make any passerby want to stop and listen. She has a versatile voice, making her sound fantastic on a huge range of songs throughout multiple genres. From Amy Winehouse to Carrie Underwood to Olivia Rodrigo, there wasn’t a song that didn’t sound good with Regan’s vocals.
For five people who have only known each other for the last few years, Hello Brooklyn got lucky with their chemistry both on and off the stage. From chatting and bonding to getting in sync before a set to their weekly performances at Ulysses where they can try out new things and just have fun with their music, it is clear they love working together.
Although Hello Brooklyn doesn’t write their own music, Regan and guitarist and vocalist Karl Markgraf have recently released an EP titled “What Jacket Are You Wearing?” with a separate group called Mercy Lurkers that is worth a listen for those interested in pop rock and punk.
While Rae Sremmurd may have been the long-awaited event of Fall Fest, Hello Brooklyn couldn’t have been a better performance. If you find yourselves looking to plan a wedding anytime soon, give Hello Brooklyn a call.
