Real Estate played Days at Brooklyn Made

Real Estate played all of Days at their version of a hometown show in Bushwick to celebrate the album's tenth anniversary.

"Welcome to our nostalgia machine" Alex Bleecker proudly proclaimed as the New Jersey collective took the stage at Bushwick's newest(?) venue, Brooklyn Made. As somewhat of a homecoming show for the quintet, playing the former borough to which they called home immediately felt special and playing it a few nights before Thanksgiving gave it an extra cool vibe. The scene of North Brooklyn has changed significantly since the time the band released their sophomore record, but revisiting this of-the-moment classic was a truly special event that recalled past glory. Ten years ago, it wouldn't be out of the ordinary to see the member of the band riding their bikes around Williamsburg or seeing them pop up at shows at the now defunct 285 Kent, Death By Audio, or Glasslands venues that were staples of the local scene and helped kickstart their career of indie stardom. It was also common for people at parties or shows to ask if I was Martin Courtney (lead singer) and there was the occasional times we bumped into each other off the Bedford Stop and again recently in Beacon, NY this past August. Now, those venues and old stomping grounds are luxury condos and part of the evolving urban landscape that has all but squashed the hallmarks that made the neighborhood feel alive with artistic hope. That's not to say that Williamsburg is no longer a fun and exciting place to live, but like so much else, the times have indeed changed and the once desolate and at times frightening strip of Kent Ave has morphed into deluxe shopping areas and lavish restaurants that attract a new kind of lifestyle. Still, revisiting the past with a staple soundtrack from a once promising and now established band was still a fun night to behold. Playing their now-classic Days from start to finish was an immediate trip back to those days when Williamsburg seemed at its absolute peak and each track felt like a joyous reminder to those now distant times. The first three tracks set an immediate mood that carried throughout the evening. "Easy" still feels as jovial as ever and "Green Aisles" has only grown in reverence. The slow trickle of guitar feels as profound as ever as does the nod back to innocence of a suburban upbringing. No matter where you grew up, if it was on a desolate street, you can feel instantly at home once this song kicks in. "It's Real," the lead single from the album reached the same heights as expected and was the most groove inducing song of the night. Alex Bleecker delivered most of the onstage banter of the evening and took the spotlight for his lovely track "Wonder Years" which once again signaled the pure nostalgia this band is so great at capturing. After finishing the record, the group smartly treated the crowd to other favorites, like newer jam "Darling" and "Had to Hear." The band's ultra-chill vibes were wonderfully consistent throughout the night and they wasted no time, delivering as many songs as possible in their set. "This might be the last time we play this song live, I had to convince them to dig this one out of retirement" Bleecker announced before their last song of the evening. "Beach Comber" was an unexpected surprise and a big win for any long time fans hoping for more of the golden oldies the band would somehow conjure up at this point in their career. For those who stuck it out, it was a stunning close to the night.