Coney Island exploded with musical fireworks as dynamic new talent took to the stage for a fast-growing urban tradition – the annual Siren Music Festival.
The electrifying concert has become a launching pad for emerging bands and artists, and this year – it’s eighth sponsored by the Village Voice – was no exception, despite jitters by organizers last year over the unsure fate of the amusement district.
Not a note of that disrupted the decibel level as two separate stages commanded the spotlight between the boardwalk and Surf Avenue and provided an oceanfront platform for edgy, new sound masters, who pumped out the music throughout the day and well into dusk.
Joining local acts There Are Powers and noise rock bank Parts & Labor were indie rockers Islands, from Montreal, and Ra Ra Riot, from upstate New York. Others adding to the line-up included Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Broken Social Scene, The Helio Sequence and Beach House.
The theme of the festival – a three-headed hipster “siren” or femme fatale – is concurrent with its marine location. In mythology, Sirens would rise from the water and lure sailors.
