“Nobody better be sitting in the back, because we came here to rock!” City of the Sun guitarist John Pita started the Brooklyn-based acoustic rock trio’s San Francisco show with a bang. If those who go out on Wednesday are the “Wednesday Warriors,” then those at The Independent on Monday have earned the title of “Monday Maniacs.” Drawing a significant crowd, City of the Sun brought a sound full of energy fueled by flamenco, gypsy jazz, indie rock, and long hair. The group is comprised of Pita and Avi Snow on guitar with Zach Para on percussion. Using a variety of pedals and manipulators, John and Avi can create a wide range of sounds from quick sharp staccato notes that cut to the heart to sweeping echoing chords whose vibrations fill the entire room. The duality of these sounds is the recipe that makes City of the Sun’s sound so unique, but it’s the energy that they bring on stage that makes them so fun to see live.
It was City of the Sun’s first trip to San Francisco and they already seemed to have a connection with the audience. Their ability to interact, talk with, and include the audience in their performance must stem from the countless shows that they did on the streets of New York City. For a sound that developed in an urban metropolis it has a certain natural spirit to it, one that you can imagine people dancing along with on around a beachside fire or proclaiming as a camping theme song.
City of the Sun was able to take this unique sound and apply it to multiple moods and songs that weren't even their own. One of the crowd favorites was their interpretation of the XX's famous "Intro" which worked thrived their flamenco style and left the crowd screaming for more. The highlight of the show was "Firefly," a new track the group has been working on and the strongest example of their style and abilities: ripping guitar chords, sweeping melodies, and a whole lot of foot stomping. I have no doubt that in the future these guys will be playing big festivals, and I look forward to seeing the progress through the group’s career.
It was City of the Sun’s first trip to San Francisco and they already seemed to have a connection with the audience. Their ability to interact, talk with, and include the audience in their performance must stem from the countless shows that they did on the streets of New York City. For a sound that developed in an urban metropolis it has a certain natural spirit to it, one that you can imagine people dancing along with on around a beachside fire or proclaiming as a camping theme song.
City of the Sun was able to take this unique sound and apply it to multiple moods and songs that weren't even their own. One of the crowd favorites was their interpretation of the XX's famous "Intro" which worked thrived their flamenco style and left the crowd screaming for more. The highlight of the show was "Firefly," a new track the group has been working on and the strongest example of their style and abilities: ripping guitar chords, sweeping melodies, and a whole lot of foot stomping. I have no doubt that in the future these guys will be playing big festivals, and I look forward to seeing the progress through the group’s career.
