Concert Review: MX Lonely w/ Shower Curtain, Bloodsports, and Wiring at Market Hotel, Brooklyn, NY

If you stand on the southeast edge of the Myrtle Broadway stop on the J and M train, you can see a light coming from the corner window of a building. That light emanates from the back of the stage of Market Hotel, a DIY music venue that has been in operation since the early 2000s, providing a stage for the best the New York music scene and beyond has to offer. While the space has recently become home for more techno events and themed DJ sets, they still house incredible lineups of local bands, which is how I caught the Brooklyn based shoegaze juggernauts MX Lonely celebrating the release of their fantastic new record All Monsters, along with their impeccably curated lineup of local acts including Shower Curtain, Bloodsports, and Wiring.

Right from the start, vocalist Rae Haas was more than jubilant about the significance of the evening and how special it was to celebrate the release of All Monsters with so many loved ones. The energy in the room was at such a high level even before a single note was played, showcasing how these moments are more than just the music: they’re about the community and the support we give each other in trying times like these. The band has always utilized their art to create conversations in the world and to prop up communities in overlooked spaces, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. Whether it was donations from their thrifted merch going to trans ally groups or the blue and pink lighting that illuminated the performance, MX Lonely’s emphasis on uplifting the trans community showcases the ethos of the group and the importance of art within the current social climate.

The group focused on tracks from All Monsters for their setlist, kicking off the evening with the opener “Kill The Candle.” Guitarist and vocalist Jake Harms screamed into the mic with an equally loud crowd screaming back the lyrics, creating an atmosphere that was just as much dominated by the band as it was by the audience. Other highlights from the record included lead single “Big Hips,” the anthemic “Anesthetic,” and personal favorite “Shape Of An Angel,” which they debuted for the first time at the same venue back in December when they opened for fellow shoegazers They Are Gutting A Body Of Water. Along with cuts from All Monsters, the group brought out some cuts from earlier in their discography, including “Papercuts” and “Salt” from their EP SPIT. The group closed out their set with my favorite track on the record, the terrifying yet ever cathartic “Blue Ridge Mtns,” sending the group off in a blast of sound equivalent to a jet taking off.

MX Lonely’s sound is already filled to the absolute brink with crushing guitars and focused drumming, and every element was pushed even further within the space to the point where the sound physically moved the audience members. Bassist Gabriel Garmen moved with the fluidity of the grooves, and drummer Andrew Rapp locked in with every kick and slam of the cymbals. Rae Haas utilized every square inch of the space, whether it was behind the keyboard, moving on top of the speakers, or climbing Market Hotel’s central support beam. 

Even if it’s only March, MX Lonely curated an early contender for show of the year. It’s going to be very tough to find a lineup, and more importantly a community, that possesses the impact the All Monsters release show had. You can stream their fantastic new record All Monsters here.

The direct support for MX Lonely was the indie rock meets grunge quartet Shower Curtain. The Brooklyn group are no strangers to the road, constantly pulling off short tours and regional runs, including a stop in Ohio with MX Lonely a few years ago. Vocalist Victoria Winter expressed how great it felt to play with friends and community at Market Hotel, further showcasing how important the night was to the band members as well as the audience. The group played a lot of new tracks as well as a fair number from their 2024 record Words From A Wishing Well, including “you’re like me” and “wish u well.” Shower Curtain’s hazier guitar tones coupled with Winter’s beautiful voice brought out a nostalgic bliss during their set, contrasting quite well with the crushing nature of the groups before and after them.

Shower Curtain is a DIY gem in every sense, and with the way their new songs sound, 2026 is going to be a great year for them. You can check out their discography here. 

Second on the lineup was the group Bloodsports. The group kicked up a lot of dust within the alternative music scene last year thanks to their diverse debut record Anything Can Be A Hammer, which paired slow, methodically paced passages of slowcore inspired post-rock with frantic punk effortlessly. The live setting brilliantly spotlit the group’s abilities as musicians and performers, with every moment of calm matched with a moment of frenzy within the space of five minutes. Equally as impressive as the constant movement between these moods was the feeling that every ounce of chaos the group brought into their set was intricately designed instead of unharnessed, subtly highlighting the confidence and fine tuned skill the group brings to the table.

Bloodsports brings out all sides of the musical spectrum into a cohesive unit, and their live show is not one to miss. You can check out Anything Can Be A Hammer as well as their extensive back catalog here.

Kicking off the evening was the New York based four piece Wiring. Their blend of math rock songwriting and fuzz driven soundscapes created a hypnotic glimpse into their world, a mood they leaned into just as much as they disrupted. During a specifically slow part of the set, the group began a humorous clapping that was purposefully incongruous to the beat of the song. The group felt very relaxed, even amidst their intricate songs, proudly displaying how tuned into their work they were. 

Wiring was a great tone setter for the rest of the evening and a great moment of calm before the chaos that followed. You can check out their music here and follow their Instagram for more show updates.