"We're sorry it took so long for us to make this one," Midlake frontman Eric Pulido told the crowd at the band's NYC show at Bowery Ballroom on Saturday (5/14), in reference to For the Sake of Bethel Woods, their new album that is also their first in nine years. "We won't take as long for the next one." The album was worth the wait; it's arguably Midlake's best, and it was also worth the wait for their first show here in eight years. It was a terrific night.
Bowery was full of devoted fans who cheered as much for new songs like "Bethel Woods" and "Noble" as they did for mid-'00s classics like "Roscoe" and "Young Bride," and the band were psyched to be back in NYC. Pulido, who could probably have a stand-up career judging by his stage banter, told a few stories about New York's specific energy, and witnessing a traffic altercation on the way to the venue. He also talked about getting to play Levon Helm Studio in Woodstock, which was a thrill as the original Woodstock festival is a narrative in the new album.