British alt-pop band daydreamers made their American debut on November 5, hosting a showcase of crowd-favorite songs and introducing attendees to a few heavily expected unreleased tracks. The quartet, composed of Riley (vocalist and guitarist), Aurora (bassist), Jay (drummer) and Marco (guitarist), gathered fans old and new at The Bowery Electric in Manhattan for a night celebrating nostalgic indie-pop.
Attendees got comfortable at the cozy venue, grabbing drinks from the bar and making their way to the floor in anticipation of the event. The group, known for their energetic yet euphoric sound inspired by the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Blur, and Bleachers, delighted audiences with a 45-minute setlist to celebrate their monumental first U.S. performance.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
From the very first note strummed on his guitar, band leader Riley set the stage for the thrilling night ahead, while bassist Aurora’s infectious energy got the crowd grooving along. Despite this being the first time most, if not all, onlookers had the opportunity to see daydreamers live, the love for the group and their sound was apparent, with some fans calling out “I’ve had this song in my playlist since it came out!” The setlist of signature anthemic melodies showed exactly why they continue to be invited to support music legends such as Kings of Leon and Pale Waves.
Good Intentions
Released just two months ago, daydreamers’s new single “Good Intentions” was a clear crowd favorite. Much of the audience sang along to the chorus. Drummer Jay provided a steady beat, while Riley’s smooth and low tone reflected the song’s comforting message that it’s okay to make mistakes so long as you are trying your best.
Unreleased Tracks
Fans were also treated to two unreleased songs that only added to the building anticipation for daydreamers’s future endeavors.
The inspiration behind the first track — loving someone so deeply it can seem obsessive and all-consuming — was clear in its lyrics: “She is my fantasy, and she is the only thing that matters to me.” Though still punctuated by the constant bass drum, this track showed off a sweet and sentimental side to the group’s discography, and was a personal favorite for me.
The second track, “Start Living,” stayed true to daydreamers’ signature sound, encouraging listeners to follow the title and start living life truly and enthusiastically. Jay’s drum solo at the end of the song stirred up the crowd after the previous, more mellow performance, segueing into the group’s final track before the end of the showcase.
Call Me Up
After having performed many songs from their debut EP daydreamers, the band pulled out their upbeat debut single “Call Me Up,” a song much of the crowd recognized and enthusiastically sang along to. The performance ended with the group gathering at the front of the stage, beautifully singing the last few lines acoustically alongside a tambourine, before taking a final bow to close out their very first American concert.
ENERGY LEVELS
In a day and age where everyone is obsessed with capturing every moment on their cameras, it was heartening to see the crowd put their phones down to sway along to the rhythm, soaking in the nostalgic tunes.
For attendees, the beloved live music hub was a welcome respite from the cold autumn night. Despite the small floor and stage, daydreamers captured the attention of their audience, who cheered, clapped, and engaged with the band’s instructions to “get down low” and “jump up high” throughout the showcase. The air was buzzing, not only with the electric bass and guitar tunes from Riley, Aurora, and Marco, but also the excitement of the audience vibing along.
Riley encouraged the audience to hang back after the showcase, spurring many attendees to approach him and the rest of the band in a shower of praise, congratulations, and admiration. The small bar area and floor remained packed for a while, with only a few people leaving to make the trek back to the nearest station.
VERDICT
daydreamers’ stint at The Bowery Electric is just a taste of what is to come. The band orchestrated a surprise performance for fans the next day at Washington Square Park, and returned to London for their final show of the year on November 11. Fans can eagerly look forward to the release of the two new tracks — which likely will be a part of their debut full-length album releasing soon!
Keep up with daydreamers on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube. For more concert recaps, check out our review of spill tab’s Brooklyn show here!
