DUALITY IN MOTION: SADDER DAYS’ FIRST ALBUM AND LIVE SHOW
Sadder Days, a New York-based new era R&B fusion duo, held their first live performance at Trans Pecos in Brooklyn on Saturday, March 14th. The show was in celebration of their first full album, Yin & Yang, which was released on Saturday, February 7th of this year. The duo's beautifully curated performance matched the world of ethereal balance that they’d been cultivating. The entire experience ends up a transformative and love-filled night.
To set the scene, Trans Pecos is a heavily queer-focused venue in Ridgewood. It holds about 250 people, complete with a backyard and a bar. It boasts being an all-ages venue, and honestly holds to that. The place is decked out with hanging plants and a disco ball, completing the rather chill club feel.
I arrived about half an hour before doors to a line going around the corner. Fans were shivering in the cold, decked out in their black and white themed best. There were people hosting interviews, shooting photos, taking selfies, and chatting excitedly about the performance. Though the best surprise was yet to come as Cameron Wesley and Grant Celestine burst out onto the street in full costume to come meet the crowd, making their best effort to high-five everyone in line. Once everyone is inside, the place is packed almost to the door, people are jostling for good spots to almost no avail, and the building is blanketed in the haze of the smoke machine. There are three initial DJ sets by Mt. St Michael, Elektra, and Deermaxxing. All three put on a great time as people danced in the tight space.
Finally, a hush over the crowd before the excitement starts. Through cheers of “Sadder Days,” the duo ran out onto the stage. Their performance is full of drama, energy, and even choreographed moves. What makes it such a good time is how absolutely thrilled the two were. The show was a constant exchange of joyous sensation. They came out strong, performed with vigor the entire time, and stole my heart by giving us an encore (something I strongly believe shows should keep). There wasn’t a single moment when they weren’t interacting with the crowd. They held hands with as many people as they could. There were hearts shared. A pit was created. At one point, Grant is on his knees like a 90s R&B star singing his heart out. I half expected rain to spontaneously start above him. The level of showmanship really made it baffling that this was their first official live show. I can’t wait to be there for the next one.