On a crisp March evening, the cozy setting of City Vineyard transformed into a haven for musical storytelling as Vakili Band took the stage for WFUV’s Slice Nights series. Led by the exceptional Lily Vakili, the band delivered a set that was both deeply intimate and unapologetically powerful, blending bluesy grit, punk swagger, and forthright emotional introspection.

Vakili Band is a force of gritty, fierce vitality in the local New York City modern rock landscape. Blending the poetic urgency of punk rock’s most influential females, the blues-infused fire of rock performers tittering on the edge of genres, and the unfiltered power of classic rock, Vakili Band’s music is compelling across all avenues—spanning concepts of law, activism, and a passion for the arts. Lily Vakili brings a unique perspective to her music, crafting songs that explore desire, love, loss, and defiance with an unflinching candidness.

Born from a deep love of storytelling and a fearless approach to rock ‘n’ roll, Vakili Band has carved out a distinct space where vulnerability and grit collide. To date, they’ve released three full-length albums, including their 2024 LP Honey, which also marked Lily Vakili’s debut as a producer. Their sound draws from a rich tapestry of influences—ranging from classic rock to punk to blues—while always maintaining a fresh, contemporary edge.

In 2024, Vakili released Tannersville, an acoustic EP that showcased a more intimate side of her songwriting, leading to a tour with John Douglas of Trashcan Sinatras. This period of musical exploration informed the band’s evolving sound, as Vakili began weaving the stripped-down essence of her solo performances into her full-band arrangements. Now, with a new album in the works at NYC’s Second Take Sound studios, co-produced with Reed Turchi, Vakili Band is pushing their creative boundaries even further.

Whether delivering soaring, full-throttle rock anthems or hushed, contemplative ballads, Vakili Band remains rooted in the essence of storytelling. Their music is for those who have lived, loved, lost, and fought to find their place in the world.

Vakili, a true musical shapeshifter, enthralled the audience from the moment she stepped onto the stage, dressed in attire that already began to cross the line between blues, rock, and punk. With a voice that channels the rebellious spirit of Patti Smith, the mystical allure of Grace Slick, and the soulful depth of Janis Joplin, she commanded the room with both a knowing intensity and a warmth that made every line linger. Her presence was magnetic—equal parts street poet, rock ‘n’ roll, storyteller, and truth-seeker.

The set opened with “Lake City Blues,” an unreleased track that pulled the audience into Vakili’s world, setting the tone for an evening rich in introspection and reinvention. “Photograph” followed, the lead track from Vakili’s acoustic offering Tannersville. Though originally recorded with a stripped-down arrangement, the full-band version of the song added a pulsing, hypnotic groove, with Vakili’s husky vocals wrapping around each line like a spellbinding incantation. The audience hung onto every word, drawn into the song’s evocative imagery.

By the third song, Lily interrupted the music momentarily to finish off the ensemble, welcoming their harmonicist to the stage for “Honey.” This was by far my favorite performance of the night—every word dripped off the microphone slowly, sweetly savored by the audience—Lily’s delivery was dominating yet nothing short of ethereal. Released in 2023, Vakili’s live rendition of “Honey” on Monday breathed new life into the track, it was a testament to the evolution of the band’s sound following Lily’s solo revelations—more textured, more nuanced, but still piercing with honesty.

The chemistry between Vakili and her band was palpable. Each musician brought a distinct ambiance to the mix, from the swirling psychedelia of the guitar work to the steady, heartbeat-like groove of the rhythm section. It was a performance that felt lived-in yet unpredictable, as if every note and lyric could shift shape at any moment.

Closing out the night, Vakili delivered a haunting, slow-burning teaser of their next endeavors with “Had A Penny,” leaving the audience in a stunned silence before standing ovations simmered. It was the perfect encapsulation of what makes Vakili Band so compelling—songs that speak to the universal human experience with a rawness that lingers long after the last note fades.

WFUV’s Slice Nights continues to spotlight some of New York’s—and also New Jersey’s, not begrudgingly!—most dynamic and genre-blurring artists, and Vakili Band’s performance at City Vineyard was a masterclass in musical experimentation. With a new album in the works, this show felt like both a reflection on the past and a thrilling glimpse into what’s to come. Lily Vakili is an artist who doesn’t just perform—she transforms, transcends, and invites the audience along for a ride.

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