Despite the fact that New York began allowing music venues to reopen to limited capacity audiences this month, most venues have been hesitant to resume shows until they can do so at full capacity and without restrictive COVID safety guidelines in place. But Tompkins Square Park came roaring to life this weekend when a group of New York hardcore bands played a massive outdoor show there, with an estimated crowd of 2,000-3,000 people in attendance, well above the maximum amount of people allowed to gather outdoors currently.
It was likely the largest city-permitted concert since strict pandemic-related restrictions were imposed in New York back in March of 2020.
Saturday's concert, which was organized by Black N’ Blue Productions, featured hardcore groups Madball, Murphy's Law, Bloodclot and The Capturers; it was a free, unticketed event, but the bands solicited donations on GoFundMe beforehand for the New York City Burn Center Foundation (they raised over $6,000 altogether). It was the first major show to take place at the park since the pandemic started.
There's another hardcore show planned for the park on May 8th—featuring Antidote NYHC, Kings Never Die, and the Last Stand—but that show may be in jeopardy now. A Parks Department spokesperson told Gothamist, "This matter is actively being investigated as the permit application filed and agreement appear to have been violated—future permits are in jeopardy."
We've reached out to the Parks Department for more information about the permit process. Spokespersons for Mayor Bill de Blasio did not respond to questions about the event.
As you can see in videos below, several of the state's COVID safety guidelines were not followed during the show. There was no social distancing happening during a show that featured tons on moshing, and no distance between the performers and the audience. There also clearly were a lot of people not wearing masks. And according to state guidelines, the max amount of people who can be attendance at outdoor events right now is capped at 500 people.
David "Springa" Spring, former frontman of Boston hardcore band SSD, was also criticized for joining Murphy’s Law onstage while wearing a “BLACK FLAG MATTERS" shirt.
As Fleet Foxes frontman Robin Peckinold wrote in a comment on a Stereogum Instagram post about the event, "Attending this by accident today was a real headfuck."
Bloodclot frontman John Joseph, formerly of the Cro-Mags, responded to criticisms of the event on Instagram and Facebook, comparing this event to Black Lives Matter protests last year and 4/20 celebrations this year.
"Yesterday in Tompkins Square Park History was Made," he wrote. "Well over 2000 people came out to a FREE show by the people for the people. It was a blast - we raised money for the FDNY burn unit and fed people organic plant-based meals. And let me say this to all the chumps and beeotch’s talking shit. For the last year in New York City there were protests - tens and thousands of people in the streets - some rioting and looting engaging in bias attacks - nobody said shit - the media condoned it. On 4/20 thousands filled Washington Square Park sharing blunts and weed pipes no masks - again nobody said shit. This was our fucking protest - this was our rally - people came out from all over the country and enjoyed live music! Those who didn’t want to come stayed away - good nobody Missed their ass. They were free to live in fear - hide under their table and talk shit on social media."
"Never let them stop the music," he added. "This is our life!"
Council Member Keith Powers, who has been a supporter of the Save Our Stages Act to support venues during the pandemic, stopped by at the end of the show on Saturday and tweeted a photo of himself there. A spokesperson noted that he was watching the show from a distance.
“We’re all excited about supporting our music scene, but we still need to remember that we’re in a pandemic," Powers told Gothamist. Asked about the safety of the event, he went on to reference a Gorilla Biscuits song: "I have reached out to organizers to remind them to 'start today' with better social distancing protocols.”
You can check out more photos from the event at Brooklyn Vegan, as well as more videos and pics below.
This story has been updated to reflect that John Joseph is a former member of the Cro-Mags, not a founder.
