On Friday and Saturday, October 25-26, 2024, Red Hook’s Pioneer Works kicked started the Halloween-weekend festivities as the United Sounds NYC Festival unfolded. With an eclectic mix of indie stalwarts and emerging talents, the festival was a testament to New York’s enduring love for independent music. United Sounds, in collaboration with nonprofit partners Noise for Now and Sounds of Saving, managed to create an intimate yet thrilling music festival experience, dedicated to reigniting the spirit of New York City’s indie scene.
Pioneer Works, with its open, industrial space and scenic Brooklyn waterfront backdrop, set the stage impeccably for the lineup’s dynamic range. The warehouse, typically housing a wide variety of art exhibitions, was transformed into a concert venue for the two nights of United Sounds and was truly a magnificent location for the Brooklyn music festival to make its debut in. With tall ceilings, an expansive standing room area, multiple floors, and a quaint outdoor space, Pioneer Works provided more than enough territory for attendees to let loose and relish in the moment. The venue even had a handful of art exhibits still occupying some of the rooms, which attendees thoroughly enjoyed perusing and mingling alongside. The outdoor section was designed for attendees to relax in and escape the crowds, featuring multiple firepits, an overlook tower with additional seating, and short nature walks that provided stunning scenery for photographic memories.
Although Red Hook used to be considered a somewhat dangerous area, housing two NYCHA units and being notorious for high crime rates, United Sounds proved sections of the area are up and coming and it’s establishment in Red Hook is a massive step in the right direction of transforming Red Hook into a sanction for all sorts of artists to flourish. Nonetheless, there are definitely pockets of Red Hook you will want to avoid walking through, especially once the sun sets, thus the easiest and safest way to get to the venue is by taking a subway and then a bus. This being said, traveling to and from Pioneer Works is no easy feat, it is best to give yourself an extra hour to tackle the bus as it is terribly unreliable. I left work early on Friday to try and get to the venue on time but even when departing from the Financial District in Manhattan, which borders Brooklyn, it was impossible for me to get to the venue before the show ended. I made it to Brooklyn, waited over an hour for the bus, and ultimately had to turn around once my GPS predicted I would get there by 10 p.m., smack in the middle of the night’s finale performance. As with all festivals, the inaugural curation comes with kinks that’ll eventually be worked out and my hope for next year is United Sounds employs their own bus service of some sorts to ensure attendees’ arrival and departure is straightforward, especially once the night concludes. I believe this would attract many more people to the event, even if they’re not familiar with the artists featured, since tickets are already very affordable and there aren’t many music festivals in New York City to begin with.
Despite the fiasco of taking the bus, the industrial nature of the community surrounding United Sounds makes it effortless for attendees to drive into the area with extensive street parking that is not only free but also right alongside the venue, making it only a short walk from the car to the event. This is surely a bonus because there is virtually nothing but warehouses in this section of Red Hook, thus the area essentially shuts down after 5 p.m. For the most part, there’s no officers or surveillance even before the sun goes down. As many might have heard in the recent news, there have been numerous homicides in Brooklyn, specifically at concert venues. As a young girl myself, who travels solo to these areas, I can vouch that, at night, it can be a bit scary walking home or to the train alone especially with my expensive gear; It was nice having the option to drive, park for free, and not have to worry about a long walk alone to the train or parking lot afterwards.
The assortment of vendors and sponsors for United Sounds NYC was minimal and affirmed why the event was catered to those 18 and older. Official festival sponsors included Narragansett Beer, Fiddlehead IPA, Spindrift Spikes, Archer Roose Wine, and Tipsy Scoop Ice Cream, all of which were promoting alcoholic provisions. Our personal stand-out was Tipsy Scoop Ice Cream, who is local to the area and based out of Queens, New York. The owners of the company set up ice cream stands similar to the ones you’d see at the beach and personally handed out tasters of their various delicious flavors, including a dairy-free sorbet option. The savory sweet markets 5% alcohol in each carton and the flavors are thoughtfully crafted to complement the confection of the ice cream against the bitterness of the alcohol. My personal favorite was the Vanilla Bean Bourbon flavor which is as delicious as it is dangerous. If you’re like me and hate the taste of alcohol, I highly recommend checking out Tipsy Scoop Ice Cream. They even ship worldwide!
With so many alcohol vendors, you’re probably expecting a showcase of tasty, mouth-watering foods to counteract the effects of the drinks, however, United Sounds only employed two food vendors; Birria Del Toro Rojo and Gorilla Cheese NYC. Granted, the event began at 4 p.m., which suggests attendees would only be eating one meal at Pioneer Works, if any, but with so much alcohol being passed around, it felt wrong for there to only be two options to eat. Luckily, United Sounds permitted re-entry. While some tried out the food trucks, many left and returned with takeout bags or plates of food from nearby establishments. In some senses, this upholds United Sounds’ mission to enhance the Red Hook community by supporting local establishments but, in another way, there are really only warehouses in its nearby proximity; it was a bit of a walk to find another option to eat.
In addition to the six straight hours of practically non-stop music at Pioneer Works, United Sounds also partnered with WFUV Public Radio, 90.7 FM, and wfuv.org to implement a United Sounds NYC Festival Day Party – WFUV NY Slice Showcase – hosted by DJ Alisa Ali and held at The Good Fork Pub from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. both days. The day party featured performances by Tipa Tipo and Sam Kogan, who were also Brooklyn-bred musicians, further enhancing United Sounds’ emphasis on supporting the local community. Although I did not attend the day party, entry into the event was free with a festival ticket, which was only $75 for both days and $50 for a single day, making United Sounds easily the most affordable East Coast festival. It appeared the day party was well-received too as Pioneer Works didn’t begin to fill up until after 6 p.m.
The day’s setlist of performers started off light and built in intensity, carrying fans from the experimental to the high-energy, with a lineup that spanned psychedelic rock, art punk, and avant-garde pop. OJ Acetone kicked things off with a DJ set that created a club-like ambiance in the warehouse, blending electronic beats with more mainstream tracks everyone knew and sang along to. OJ Acetone kept the energy high, performing filler sets during the intermissions and in between stage changes so there was never a moment without music.
The first to grace the United Sounds NYC Festival stage was Bec Lauder and The Noise, bringing a fresh burst of energy to the crowd. Known for their layered soundscapes, the group balanced catchy riffs with experimental undertones, drawing in early attendees and setting a lively tone for the night. Lauder’s onstage presence and the band’s raw energy had everyone nodding along, and by the time they wrapped up, the crowd was buzzing for more. After their performance, the members were found in the audience, headbanging and dancing along to every other artist performing, which only further enhanced the communal atmosphere United Sounds NYC aimed to create. I had never heard of Bec Lauder prior to their performance at United Sounds NYC but I’ve been obsessed with their sound ever since. Their music is an eclectic mix of punk rock and alternative, garage grunge. It is unconventional but truly authentic in all the best possible ways. Plus, the members are all gender-fluid which makes the environment of their performances feel inclusive and inviting for all.
Peel Dream Magazine took the stage next, pulling the crowd into a world of dream pop and shoegaze. Their hypnotic melodies and atmospheric sound were a stark, yet complementary, shift from the previous set. Fans seemed entranced by the ethereal performance, nodding along to the lush waves of sound that washed over the crowd. Peel Dream Magazine’s set was a standout for those looking to drift away into a blissful, introspective moment.
Monobloc turned up the energy with their eccentric mix of electronic beats and indie-rock influences. Their set pulsed with rhythmic experimentation, keeping fans moving while blending elements of post-punk with synth-driven melodies. This performance marked a seamless transition from the mellowness of Peel Dream Magazine, giving the audience a taste of the genre-hopping nature of the lineup.
Man Man‘s wild, unpredictable stage persona brought a jolt of eccentricity to the evening. Known for their theatrical performances and off-kilter rhythms, they didn’t disappoint on any prospect. From the quirky costume changes to the frenetic keyboard and percussion work, Man Man was a festival favorite. Their set, brimming with energy and bizarre fun, had the crowd cheering wildly, with fans old and new soaking up every chaotic second.
The punk icons of Les Savy Fav lived up to their reputation for raucous, boundary-pushing performances. Front man Tim Harrington took over the stage in his signature unpredictable fashion, entering into the performance dressed as a bunny, wishing everyone a “Happy Half Easter,” and at one point even jumping into the crowd where he kept fans on their toes, never knowing what to expect next from him. Les Savy Fav owned the venue for the entirety of their hour long performance, attendees were awe-struck and, for those who were unaware of Les Savy Fav prior to United Sounds NYC, the band made sure to leave their unforgettable mark on everyone present. Harrington didn’t just embody the stage, he engulfed the entire venue, stealing a ladder from the event staff, picking up the LED light fixtures around the room, starting mosh pits where there weren’t any. The band’s tight, aggressive sound coupled with Harrington’s outlandish antics energized the crowd, reminding everyone of the rebellious spirit that United Sounds seeks to celebrate.
As the headliner, Blonde Redhead brought a masterclass in indie sophistication and moody elegance to close out the night; a stark contrast to Les Savy Fav’s prior performance but another reassurance of United Sounds’ emphasis on diversity. With their erratic, atmospheric soundscapes and Kazu Makino’s hauntingly ethereal vocals, the trio captivated the audience. Known for their textured arrangements and experimental artistry, Blonde Redhead’s performance was an emotional and evocative finale to the festival. Fans swayed along, completely immersed, with the band’s haunting sound reverberating in the crisp October air.
United Sounds did more than just deliver a stellar, genre-spanning, and eclectic lineup. Partnering with nonprofits like Noise for Now and Sounds of Saving added a layer of purpose to the festival. In keeping with their mission, United Sounds embraced the values of connection and inclusivity, bringing together a community of indie music enthusiasts, activists, and fans for a shared cause. The festival merch was uniquely handmade to order by a Brooklyn-based screen printing company. It was another intimate addition to the event to watch your merch be made in the moment by the artists and their screen-printing mechanisms. At the end of the night, fans were treated to free screen-printed tote bags upon exiting, which further made the event memorable. WFUV’s day party at The Good Fork pub was also a highlight, giving fans an intimate pre-show experience and a chance to connect with local talent.
United Sounds NYC Festival successfully filled the void left by the absence of large-scale indie music gatherings in New York City. For a $50 ticket, fans were treated to a thoughtfully curated lineup of both legendary acts and rising stars, all within the charming and creatively charged space of Pioneer Works. United Sounds NYC was a celebration of the resilience and spirit of the indie music scene, and for all those who attended, it was a reminder of why New York City remains a pivotal hub for music lovers and artists alike. While the festival might be in the past now, United Sounds has plans to expand beyond the annual festival, producing a full calendar of events in NYC and in additional markets. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for more unique experiences like United Sounds NYC Festival and don’t forget to support local by snagging tickets to next year’s curation!
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