Show Review: They Are Gutting a Body of Water, Winter, MX Lonely at Market Hotel, NYC.
December 10th, 2025.
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“We’re completely sold out”
December 11th, 2025
It was perfect. A cold, dark, drizzling December evening in Brooklyn was the ideal precursor to catch loud, sludgy shoegaze-inspired bands in Bushwick’s Market Hotel. The bill was TAGABOW, Winter, and MX Lonely. Except there was one issue... Market Hotel had stopped selling tickets. Even after trying to bribe the staff, they wouldn’t budge. But there’s an old saying that has inspired many stupid people to do many stupid things: “If there’s a will, there’s a way.”. Back out on the street, as the J train shook the tracks overhead, I found a group of friends having a smoke together. I asked if any of them were playing tonight, and that I needed a guest pass or else I wouldn’t get in. They said they couldn’t help. And just when I thought I’d be stuck next to the Myrtle Avenue Popeyes all night, one of the group members gave me a guest-list pseudonym to get upstairs. Maybe that old saying isn’t complete bullshit.
MX Lonely were first to take the stage, setting precedent for the rest of the night with their massive shoegaze-meets-metal sound. The band’s stage presence was captivating — there was no shortage of headbanging, amp climbing, or shifting breakdowns. Hailing from Brooklyn, MX Lonely played two new tracks released in the past month to roll out their upcoming February album ALL MONSTERS. It was the exact loud-as-fuck energy needed to start the show off right.
Ascending onto stage next with angelic wings was Winter, a veteran alternative act that had the crowd buzzing from start to finish. The three piece has no shortage of gritty shoegaze tones, blending in pop elements and gorgeous, floating vocals. Winter also brought up Horse Jumper of Love’s lead singer for a tune — an homage to the two bands’ Boston roots. From on-stage outfits to pulsing tunes, Winter checked every box.
To cap off the night, TAGABOW brought their now-famous centerfold circular set to the Market Hotel to the delight of many headbangers. After snapping a string on the first song and some verbal contradictions about the Eagles, the Philly-based band played a fluid set that combined sludge and groove — a perfect combo to rock your head to. They also put an emphasis on backing tracks and loops, creating a very ethereal, unpredictable flow of sound that deserves to be sold out.
I’d like to give more praise for my nameless hero who got me into the show. I am forever indebted to you, good sir, and I will pay it forward. It was a nice reminder that it never hurts to ask people for something — especially when that something is access to some of the coolest alternative groups out now. By the way, TAGABOW just announced they will be playing the Market Hotel again December 14th. Don’t miss it like I almost did, seriously... Rrrat pack was just here.
| Keywords: | New York City | TAGABOW | Winter | MX Lonely | Market Hotel |
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