Captivating Sounds: Highlights From THE THING's Live Residency
- Amy Kapel
- Aug 5
- 5 min read
The best way to pregame the weekend is by going to a Thursday night show. That’s exactly what I did on July 17th–spent the night in an intimate East Village venue, seeing some awesome rising NYC rockstars. A band like The Thing makes a lasting impression just from one show, but if you were lucky enough to go, they had three residency shows at Night Club 101 in July!
Same town, same school, same love for music: Zane Acord (bassist/vocalist), Michael Carter (guitarist/vocalist), and Jack Bradley (guitarist/vocalist) found one another in middle/high school with the same dream to start a band. Formed in 2022, a year later, Lucas Ebeling (drummer) joined to complete the NYC-based rock quartet. Each member integrates unique elements of music from various generations that seamlessly blend. With a lengthy discography on Spotify to explore, there is proof of the growth in their sound and image. People only hope to get better the harder they work. The Thing is succeeding at that. Their new material exudes authenticity, giving the impression that they are consistently evolving with each new release.
Influences range from The Who, The Kinks, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and so on, but all blend to create a sound uniquely their own. Art influences art, and music is inspired by music. It can then be turned into something special and new. There is beauty in compiling ideas from varying artists to make something distinctive, but still be reminiscent of the time it was inspired by. Sonically, The Thing does exactly that.
To know The Thing is to love The Thing. As an avid local music lover, journalist, and concertgoer, all I’ve ever heard is praise about the band live. I’ve personally been listening to their music but had never seen them live. You and I know that seeing a band perform in person completely changes the listening experience, for better or for worse. When I got the opportunity to see them in concert, I was excited to see for myself what the hype was about.
Spoiler: the hype was valid.
To set the scene, Nightclub 101 instantly filled as the band entered to set up the stage, with eager fans chatting, band members curating their space, and personal space becoming less and less. A dim red light shines, and the room silences. Drums and a deep bass start the song, “Above Snakes,” which has an imminent sound that entices you. Ebeling on the drums draws you into a darker atmosphere with Acord's strong vocals. This being a newer track, there is a slightly elevated switch in sound compared to their older stuff. While their influences range from differing icons in rock, the kick-off to the show felt like true 70s rock. The way each member immersed themselves in the performance, perfectly in sync, was mesmerizing.
The second song of the night was an older track, “You’re The One,” with perfect harmonies and a repeating guitar riff; the crowd fed off the high energy from the stage. Loud, energetic, and lively instrumentals explode through the venue while everyone on stage and in the crowd is dancing. The red light faded into a spotlight where you could see the members' stoic faces as they ripped insane guitar riffs and thundering drums. There is truly something intriguing about the way they all cohesively play together.
Transitions from song to song during live shows are important, and The Thing has made theirs so good you almost don’t realize they're onto the next song! Instrumentals are filled with passion and flawlessly blend into the next track, continuing the excitement from the crowd.
I’m highlighting the third song, “I Wanna Go To The City,” because of how many notes I took. Commanding vocals by Acord consistently set the tone, retaining the audience's attention. That catchy guitar riff by Carter and the smooth harmonies together are invigorating. Bradley, on guitar, has a spirit like no other; you can see how he feels the music physically by his energy and the way he moves on stage. And Ebeling on drums completely takes the crowd's attention as he hammers on. It’s electrifying rock that you truly can’t help but move to.
Fog entering the stage furthered this edgy, mysterious look, which seemed to be achieved with ease. Performing and being on stage come so naturally to the band, yet they all have star-like qualities. It truly is a show you can’t look away from.
A release from earlier this year, “Dave’s TV” features a repetitive drum line alongside a heavy bass as Acords' deep, echoey vocals create an alluring effect. Bradley has a way of commanding the stage during his guitar solos, lost in the music yet still in unity with his bandmates. Behind a blue fog, you dimly see Ebeling attacking the drums, demanding the room's attention.
The transition to “Ana De Armas” was noteworthy, something difficult to put into words. You just had to be there. From the intense bassline by Acord and the guitar solo by Bradley, each song has a new characteristic, distinct from its previous performance. They come together musically in a special way during each instrumental break. Of course, they know they’re on stage performing, but it also feels like it is just them in the room, connecting through playing music. As the bassline slows, the lights go red, and the lyrics hypnotize you, while you are being engulfed by an eruption of instruments.
The familiar guitar riff in “Dixie Queen” gets the crowd excited for more. Acord knows how to keep the attention of the audience on him; the stage is a natural place for him to be. As he delivers the song's vibrant lyrics, the rest of the band keeps the energy up in the room. The next song begins, and Carter steps to the center stage, singing “No Thing.” Earlier, when I said they all have their star-like qualities, I meant it! No matter where they are on stage, what song they're playing, or who’s in front, they all have a big stage presence while allowing each other to show off their skills. Carter brought an eccentric energy to this one, as harmonies carried through his demanding vocals.
Next, we have Bradley take center stage with “Wanted War,” an aggressive, punk rock performance, having everyone in the crowd jump and dance even harder. Watching each member take on different roles on stage showed the dexterity they all have in performing, such coordination with what they do on stage.
Closing out the show, there was a stellar cover of “My Generation” by The Who. Not only did it have the crowd going wild, but it also showcased how artists can honor a song while still making it their own. They truly put all their energy into the performance of this, with Carter and Bradley headbanging while shredding, Ebeling pounding the drums, and Acord’s theatrical performance. The encore, “Can You Help Me?” had the biggest reaction, with everyone in the crowd jumping and singing along with the band as they danced onstage. A special moment between artists and the listeners, knowing how to engage with them through the power of music.
Overall, The Thing is a band you want to know about before they make it big. An earnest performance demonstrating skill, professionalism, and care to put on a great show. With the three residency shows all being sold out, they have added another show on August 15th at Baby’s All Right! It’ll serve as an album release for “The Thing,” out August 6th. This is your chance to see them for yourself! If you couldn’t tell, I highly recommend it.
Written by Amy Kapel
Photography by Veronica Anaya
Comments