MUSIC: The Fader Fort Presented By Converse

Between its SXSW and CMJ iterations Fader Fort is slowly become a concert institution onto itself; a mini festival humming along on its own next to its bigger brothers. This year’s CMJ version was no different; they just know how to build a fun space where up and coming acts can flex their skills live (and on their stream) in front of an eager audience. Thanks to sponsors Budweiser and Jack Daniels the stereotype of the notoriously jaded New York City concertgoer was nowhere in sight; it was a sea of happy faces at Converse's Rubber Tracks studios deep in the non-hood, Williamsburg.
The Couchsessions was in the house for the first night and it was a doozy. First up was the band Aquilo, a slice of future blue eyed soul from England that got the crowd moving. Basically a two man duo, they periodically switched keyboard and guitar duties while a drummer for hire kept them on beat the whole time. One song in particular, “Better Off Without You” hit that sweet spot of relationship kiss off R&B falsetto that had the crowd grooving together to the shared human experiences of hating your ex.
Modern Baseball came out and played an energetic set of vintage pop punk that still seemed fresh; the Philly natives are well worn road dogs but you couldn’t tell from their stage presence; in addition to the guitar thrashing smiles were everywhere and their happiness was contagious.
Conner Youngblood came out to a stage full of instruments and performed solo; what we heard was crisp and tight from the Texas native.
Rising model/songstress Kehlani came out with great rapport with the crowd and well choreographed dance moves; her personality connected wit the audience immediately and it felt more like a fun recital with your friends rather then the normal audience/performer celebration you usually experience at shows like this.
https://youtu.be/xzL9kVno53Y?list=PLPH2E2Ybj9J6hbWwXzqTWCXtQwaay8q5O
The night was capped off with Skrillex coming out and bringing the crowd to maximum turnt-upness leaving everyone stumbling into the night high off the music.