There was no question whether the popular concert series at East River State Park would reach its capacity of 8,000 for indie-favorite headliners (and Brooklyn residents) Grizzly Bear.The question was when.
Temperatures on Sunday August 31, hovered in the mid-80s, much like the fashions of the concertgoers waiting in line. When the doors opened at 2 p.m., the line of fans eager to get into the last JellyNYC Pool Party of the season stretched down an alley off North 11th Street and bent back again on Kent Avenue.Some waited as long as an hour and a half to enter the park, missing Beach House and Vega, who were also on the billy.Finally, by 6 p.m. the gates were closed, Grizzly Bear kicked off its set, and unhappy fans were turned away.
The concert lived up to the hype as one of summer’s must-see events, as Grizzly Bear muscled through song after mellowly melodic song while their fans crowded the stage and mouthed the lyrics. Even Jay-Z, Beyonce, and U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer made appearances.
“Thank you Brooklyn.This has been the best summer of our lives!” said JellyNYC’s Sarah Hooper, after the show.
And maybe it was.As Grizzly Bear finished its set list, the sun dipped below the East River leaving an orange glow, as summer itself seemed to retreat beyond the horizon.Until next year.
%u2013Aaron Short