Goth Babe Sends New York City Into Summer As “The Lola Tour” Stops At Pier 17

Photography by Emma Dowd

On Friday, May 5, Goth Babe’s performance at Pier 17 catapulted New York City into summer. On the East River below the FiDi skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge-facing venue hosted Goth Babe’s “The Lola Tour” with Yoke Lore. The outdoor venue could not defend against the on and off rain showers, but the risk of weather was made worth it when sunset rolled around.

The sky turned into something of pink brilliance, and a rainbow casted over the river. The colorful streak of spring arched over the stage to turn the evening into the ultimate setting for Goth Babe’s sound – light, natural, and vibrant.

The crowd spilled onto the Pier 17 rooftop hours before Goth Babe’s show to see the opener, Yoke Lore. A renowned artist in the alternative/indie realm, singer Adrian Galvin attracted fans of his own and collected some new ones as he gave a dynamic performance. He spun around on stage in between verses and communed with the audience kindly. Yoke Lore’s sound strikes a comforting chord in the musical soul. With only raw vocals, percussion, and a banjo to seal his sound, he successfully composes a unique warmth with his music.

The sun continued to set over the enthusiastic crowd, and an unbelievable flower moon took its spot in the sky. Its massivity attracted a volley of OOOs and AAAhhhs as everyone waited eagerly for the party to start. Eventually the twin screens on either side of the stage darkened, and blues and whites flashed in lengthy strobes over the crowd. The indie-electronic vocalist, Griffin Washburn, and his two touring bandmates on percussion, keys, and strings made their way onto stage. Washburn seemed to talk to himself in happy disbelief as a response to seeing Pier 17 crowd, “This is f*cking nuts! So cool! This is insane, it’s going to be awesome.”

Griffin Washburn is a known nomad. He lives in and out of sailboats and tiny homes in the mountains of Washington, hence his new single “Alone in the Mountains.” His free-spirit is a light in the music industry, for he cares more about the connections and differences he can make with his music rather than his profits and status. The day of the show, he posted on his instagram story to invite fans to participate in a pre-show run club. Connecting with his fans who he sees as friends has been a tour priority. His kind and mellow persona shines through his music and could be felt throughout the show.

After getting the crowd warmed up with some songs, he asked for a volunteer to crowd surf. Once a member of the audience was elected, the stage crew brought out a watermelon slice pool-floatie. The fan was released to surf the hands of her fellow Goth Babe listeners. Griffin sent her off with a wave, “Be kind to her, and be safe with her!” She totally rocked the role, fist-bumping and belting song lyrics in a spell of pure joy.

Goth Babe established a friendly community from the start. He encouraged the crowd to participate in dance-offs and sing-alongs, insisting “you’re all not too old for sing-alongs!” His stage presence consisted of audible yipping, head-banging, and epiphanic gratitude. It was impossible not to dance. The music seemed to lift the crowd into movement.

Electronic music gets wrapped with the stigma of being synthetic and repetitive. Goth Babe’s sound strongly defies this tired narrative. The blend of guitar strings, light chimes, and seemingly element-inspired melodies composes a natural almost healing sound. Combined with relatable and celebratory human lyrics, Goth Babe has created something unique and informative of a lifestyle – unbound and transient.

Towards the end of the show, Griffin spun around to take in the glory of New York City. The skyline lights shimmered on the water, and the traffic on the bridge strung red ribbons of light across the storm clouded sky. He encouraged everyone to introduce themselves to a stranger and tell them why they live in New York City, and why they love it so much. A minute from the show was sacrificed to organic conversation. The crowd seemed more tightly knit for the remainder of the show.

Griffin and his fellow performers put on silly hats for the remainder of the show. He adorned a shark hat, the percussionist wore a disco helmet, and the keys player wore a cow-print cowboy hat. The last few songs rolled by too easily. Griffin conducted the gold-star concert move of commanding the crowd to get really low and jump up on the beat. He sang a crowd favorite, and what he deemed his favorite song, “Taking Over The Sun.” The crowd was electric.

“We try to make this more than a normal concert you’d come to for an hour. We want to make you a part of something and leave feeling better than you came!” That they did. When the show came to a close, the party did not. Fans poured out from Pier 17 and continued to dance and sing in the Manhattan streets. Goth Babe set the summer tone for New York City.