3 Dollar Bill Brooklyn, NY
Contact: [email protected]
Web: instagram.com/sadgirlhoursnyc
Players: Grrrl Music, DJ Oat Milk, Butta, Matty Marz, Eph See, Megagonefree
Material: Welcome to the third installment of New York City’s Saddest Festival, Sad Girl Hours. Presented by HDA Management, Grrrl Music, and Queer Music Agency, Sad Girl Hours cultivated a group of femme artists celebrating music, no matter the emotion. This year’s line-up featured DJ Oat Milk, Butta, Matty Marz, Eph See, and Megagonefree.
Musicianship: Each artist left their mark on stage that night, but DJ Oat Milk was the glue holding it together. Tasked with playing between sets, she kept the energy high with pounding beats, no matter what. Starting the show with a laid-back vibe, Butta brought R&B tracks and raw honesty in her voice, brimming with enthusiasm. Next up was Matty Marz. Debuting her new album, m.w.u., she brought vivacity and pulsing, electropop tracks, encouraging the audience to get up and dance.
Marz gave way to Eph See, a Boston native with unmatched and show-stopping vocal power. The only artist with a full band, Eph See alternated between clean, sweet melodies and belted choruses, keeping the audience on their toes. To wrap the show, Megagonefree brought down the house. With a larger-than-life persona, Megagonefree knows how to wrangle their pop-soul vocal prowess and entrance the audience. All performers brought a variety of skills and styles to the stage, treating attendees to a diverse array of artistry.
Performance: The artists’ diverse styles carried into the performances. Butta’s songs acted as a personal introduction, teaching the crowd lines to build rapport. She was eager, real, and relaxed, fostering an intimate environment. Conversely, Marz overflowed with the aura of a pop star. Bouncing around, striking poses and wearing a “brat”-inspired look, Marz’s authenticity and charisma connected her to the audience. Eph See served sass onstage, playfully teasing the audience. When belting, they thrashed around, hitting all the hallmarks of an alt-pop diva. But none eclipsed Megagonefree. Megagonefree owned their power, taking up space on stage and commanding attention. With minimal backing musicians, all eyes were on them in their monochrome look.
Summary: As Sad Girl Hours wrapped on their third event, they can confidently say their journey is just beginning. This year organizers provided hours of networking and panelists for attendees before the show, proving that they are evolving and growing to fit the needs of their audience.
