They have really elevated the concert experience!
A new rooftop music series in Williamsburg allows rising singer-songwriters to perform in front of intimate crowds, six floors above the streets. Sunset Songs, happening on occasional Tuesdays this summer at the Wythe Hotel’s swank rooftop bar, presents new music with a stunning visual backdrop — the sun setting over the Manhattan skyline.
The five-part series, curated by the Los Angeles record label Iamsound, takes place at Lemon’s, the Wythe Hotel’s new bar and restaurant. Formerly known as the Ides, the space is as bright and fresh as a lemon, said the hotel’s director of events and programming.
“When you walk into the space there is saturated yellow vintage wallpaper that brings the evocative feel of the coastal Italy in the ’60s, it is just really bright, fresh, and inviting,” said Rachael Petach.
Each Sunset Songs concert begins with a playlist made by that night’s artist, which plays while the audience sips cocktails on the rooftop deck. The artist then plays a roughly 30-minute set from the corner of the rooftop balcony, followed by a dee-jay set.
Two performers, Zsela and Duendita, have already played the Sunset Songs series, so you have three more chances this summer to catch a set by a fresh artist. Next up, playing on Aug. 13, will be former Brooklyn artist Tomi, an emotive singer who recently moved to Los Angeles to pursue her singing career, she said.
Tomi plans to unveil some fresh tunes from her upcoming album at the concert, she said.
“I’m really excited for this show because I am trying out new things. I am having the performance be really raw with just me, my drummer, and a guitar. I have gone on a crazy journey of trying different sounds and I am really excited to share them with people,” Tomi said.
Following Tomi’s show will be concerts by alt-folk artist John Errol, on Aug. 27; and by Queens songwriter Grace Ives, on Sept. 17.
Sunset Songs at the Wythe Hotel [80 Wythe Ave. at N. 11th Street, sixth floor, in Williamsburg, (718) 460–8000, www.wythe