Read previous – Garden Party 2022 // Laura Stevenson + Marissa Paternoster at Crossroads
Photos and words by Rosi Lamela
Screaming Females still remains one of my favorite bands. Anytime they release a new album, I go into Screamales mode – this not only has me playing their new album over and over again, but I go through their amazing catalog on repeat. February is always a great month because it’s when they put on their Annual Garden Party at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City. For the 2023 edition, it was 2 nights – I was there on night 2 and it featured GEL, Catbite, and Laura Stevenson.
GEL was on fire from the beginning of their set until the end and it was a challenge to follow singer/frontperson Sami Kaiser with my camera. Even though I’m not into hardcore, I can appreciate the energy this Jersey band brought to us live. Catbite definitely helped me appreciate ska. They were a super fun band and it felt like they were holistically in sync. There was a lot of “rocking out” and lead singer Brittany Luna belted out lyrics with some “cat scratching” and that Philly energy. “Call Your Bluff” had everyone cheering and dancing, but “Bad Influence” was my favorite song of their performance. Laura Stevenson is a name I have hear a lot and it was was great to have the opportunity to hear more of her music. I was so excited to see Lily Mastrodimos (of Long Neck) on guitar and vocals. They both harmonized beautifully as they sang songs like “Don’t Think About Me” and “Wretch”.
Screaming Females opened with “Brass Bell” from their brand new release Desire Pathway. It was great to hear some of their other new tunes like “Desert Train”, “Beyond The Void”, and “So Low”. They always deliver and so did the rowdy crowd. Too rowdy for me, so I sought refuge in the balcony after a few songs. They played two of my favorites, “Doom 84” and “Boyfriend”, which led to a crowd surfing frenzy that included Marissa Paternoster’s guitar. They came back for an encore of “Glass House” and “Fall Asleep”.
Saturday’s Screaming Females show will be one I will remember forever. After a few failed attempts to get my attention at the front of the stage, I was wooed by the love of my life with an engagement. Yes, she asked me to marry her at the show up on the balcony – and I said “yes” in the presence of my music loving friends. What an unforgettable night!
Screaming Females will be back in the area again this coming April, playing dates in Philly and Brooklyn. See all of their upcoming tour dates here. Check out the music video for Desire Pathway track “Mourning Dove” below and keep scrolling to see more photos from the show.
