Duunes Celebrate a New Chapter at Brooklyn’s Sultan Room
Thursday night was unseasonably warm for early October, and after several days of a nor’easter, it was clear that people were ready to get out some pent-up energy.
JESSICA WOODLEE
The crowd trickled into Brooklyn’s Sultan Room as Jessica Woodlee performed amid a haze of incense smoke and blue lighting. Accompanied by a guitarist and drummer, Woodlee delivered a sweet set of indie pop, playing a guitar covered in flower stickers and including an unreleased song. She even invited the audience to join in on one of her songs.
DUUNES
By the time Duunes took the stage, the sold-out Sultan Room was filled with a young, energetic crowd. A few couples stood out, displaying plenty of public affection as they danced along to the music, sometimes dancing between songs and even slow dancing to the faster ones. We last caught Duunes performing in New Jersey about six months ago. It was an amazing show, but in front of a much smaller audience. Seeing them in their element with a hometown Brooklyn crowd was a thrill, as the energy bounced between frontman Harrison Cohen and the enthusiastic fans singing and dancing along.
The set included fan favorites like “Paralyzer Tranquilizer” and “Ballerina Fingers,” along with a couple of unreleased songs. One that stood out was “BBC,” which proved just as insanely catchy on first listen as the band’s existing material. If it’s any indication of what’s to come, fans have plenty to look forward to.
Cohen also shared some exciting news: Duunes recently signed with a label and are working on their first full-length album! After the set, he returned to the merch table to greet fans, where he was met with a steady stream of enthusiastic supporters. It was another sign of the connection the band is building with its audience.
NOAH RICHARDSON
The evening continued with Philadelphia-based alt-pop artist Noah Richardson, whose set shifted the room into a more laid-back groove without losing its playful energy. A sultry, slowed-down cover of Britney Spears’ “...Baby One More Time” was a fun highlight, as was a mashup of Train’s “Drops of Jupiter” and the Doobie Brothers’ “Drift Away.” By the time Richardson performed his viral hit “Tangerine” toward the end of the set, the crowd was back on its feet and dancing.
FINAL THOUGHTS
For Duunes fans, Thursday night felt like a glimpse of what’s next. Watching them command a sold-out Brooklyn venue made their growth all the more exciting. With a record deal secured, a full-length album in the works, and a crowd already eager to sing along, Duunes are stepping into a new chapter with plenty of momentum. If the energy at the Sultan Room was any indication, this is a band is only just getting started!