The streets of Williamsburg belonged to musicians, even more than normal, for the four days that the Northside Festival staked its ground. There was a constant bustle of badge-clad press agents, photographers, managers and agents in addition to guitarists toting their instruments and lead singers trailed by groupies. Booze was certainly also flowing freely. At Good Co. on Hope Street, Jameson hosted a party featuring their whiskey and McClure’s pickle juice. A young lady I met at the bar admitted, “I’m not even in the music industry, but all my friends are. And I wish I was.” Then she ordered herself a pickleback (a shot of Jameson followed by a shot of pickle juice, which is apparently a New York phenomenon?).
The catalog of bands and showcases was extensive; in browsing through the program trying to determine which band to check out next, I quickly realized it was a crapshoot. There were very few names I recognized, so any choice was going to be hit or miss. Luckily, there were more hits than misses. Here are a few highlights…
<< well, what are they?? >>
(Photos by Andrew St. Clair)
