Sometimes the most unforgettable shows don’t happen in giant venues with wall-to-wall crowds. They happen underground. Literally.
On a quiet street in Somerville, The Rockwell (best known for community theater and comedy nights) played host to a low-key gem of a show as The Ivy and Lyncs rolled through Boston on their North American tour. The venue holds maybe 100 people on a good night, but with a crowd closer to 50, this one felt more like a secret session than a public concert. And that intimacy? It worked.
Lyncs, the solo project of singer-songwriter Jacqueline Hynes, opened the night with the kind of set that made you wonder why she isn’t headlining rooms twice this size. With only a guitarist and drummer behind her, Lyncs crafted a sound that blended the emotional vulnerability of The 1975 with synth-soaked 80s nostalgia. Her voice was uniquely her own, clear, bright, and full of edge, and her stage presence made it easy for the small crowd to quickly become fans. If you didn’t know her name before, you probably looked her up before the second song ended.
Headliners The Ivy took the stage following what can only be described as a tour week from hell. According to lead singer Wyatt Clem, they had just parted ways with their longtime tour van, only to have their rental vehicle stolen in Montreal days later. But you wouldn’t have known any of it from their set. The Tulsa-based band powered through with the polish and passion of a group that’s used to rolling with the punches, delivering a high-energy performance that had the room locked in.
One of the standout moments came when Lyncs returned to the stage to perform their new collaboration, “Don’t Fall Asleep To This,” which translated beautifully in the intimate setting. It felt less like a tour stop and more like a living room show with friends who just happen to be incredibly talented.
In a city packed with venues and big-name headliners, it’s easy to overlook a small basement room in Somerville on a weeknight. But on this night, The Rockwell was where the magic happened.
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