Television Skies stops at Arlene’s Grocery
NEW YORK – The Lower East Side presented a multi-genre musical night concluding with electric nostalgia, a style coined by the headlining duo Television Skies. The band followed Imperial Motors, Ligeia, and Echo Kid. With fans filing into Arlene’s Grocery on a Monday to hear these local sets, it’s evident that alternative styles are here to stay for a while.
Brooklyn-based Imperial Motors opened the night with tunes that tickled the crowd’s ears and movements with unique configurations as both a group and sound. Drummer Josh Cukier doubled as a vocalist, and guitarist Andrew Garces wore a mask throughout the entire performance.
Sonically, many of the songs relied on a synth sound. This was well supported by Ben Biber on keyboard and guitar, and bassist and co-lead vocalist Liam O’Toole offered seamless transitions. The set featured songs from their latest EP Charlie Don’t Surf such as Bartender, Freeloader, and Infinite Money Glitch.
The atmosphere shifted from upbeat to smooth when Melanie Giselle, who goes by the artist name Ligeia, took the stage. While the element of alternative sounds continued to show, Ligeia presented them as a fusion of grunge, punk, and jazz alongside Asher Herzog on drums and guitarists Christian Cail and Alicyn Yaffee.
Giselle’s legato voice drew the audience into her introspective songs. Flesh Home featured a haunting vocal riff that perfectly matches the grief discussed in its lyrics. This track, along with Días Difusos and 2063, were setlist songs part of her self-titled album released October 10, 2025. Her final number was a stellar unreleased bossa nova tune Siempre Te Vas that put a bow on the performance.
The room was filled with bubbles during Echo Kid’s set. The Philadelphia-based self-proclaimed “Lunar Sludge” band had driving beats through and through, complete with a very full stage presence, both literally and sonically. With guitarist and lead vocalist Branzino Jones, guitarist and vocalist Rockefeller Jones, guitarist and vocalist Fabi Mera, aux percussionist and vocalist Kitty Russell, keyboardist Alex Gigliotti, and drummer Johnny Sausalito, Echo Kid was not missing a single beat.
Layered vocals combined with a tambourine and shaker left a slightly vintage and funky mark on Echo Kid’s sound. Even when some tracks were not as high in tempo, the richness and fierce passion from each of the members kept the show moving while simultaneously feeling laid back in the moment. The adoration flowed through the crowd in sweetly written numbers such as Before I Go and Donna.
Television Skies had a booming opening tune with Parking Lot, pushing a commanding bass with electronic synths and guitar riffs. The choir-like backing tracks guaranteed that no corner of the venue was left untouched by the emotionally charged lyrics. Lead singer Ihor Shuhan and drummer Paul Maczaj wasted no time in getting the audience to join in on moving their bodies; Shuhan covered every inch of the stage during the entire set with accompaniment from Ian Holubyak on guitar.
It was also clear how much the group was enjoying playing their tracks for fans. Bacardi featured a care-free chorus followed by a rapped section with dream pop-like beats. The peppy Time of My Life had the crowd’s feet off the floor while Maczaj’s continuous cymbal hits drove the pulse. Furthermore, the unreleased tune Paralyzed added another genre that the event covered: 2000s rock. The set by Television Skies highlighted that performances with pre-mixed tracks doesn’t stop the show from being a danceable spectacle.
From start to finish, the March 30 show at Arlene’s Grocery varied with artists encompassing a range of styles: experimental, reflective, groovy, and electric; the NYC local scene is undoubtedly alive and thriving.
