54 Ultra Brings Soul to Brooklyn
As I stood on the balcony of the Music Hall of Williamsburg, overlooking a sea of Yankee hats, I found myself stunned at the rampant growth that I have had the privilege of witnessing over the past few years. I can think back to the first time I heard 54 Ultra live; I was going to get something to eat from my fridge, and I heard an unfamiliar melody coming from my basement. This is when I learned that my brother had started drumming for someone named John Anthony Rodriguez, who is now widely known as 54 Ultra.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CHAPA
This homecoming show marked the fifth night of John Anthony’s first full headlining tour supporting his debut EP, First Works, and the experience did not disappoint. The night started off with a demonstration of talent from another New Jersey native act that I hold very close to my heart. Screenager, headed by the talented Adri Maiella, kicked us off with a short but sweet set that evoked feelings of angst, joy and heartbreak all at once. The crowd was even treated to a brand new song called “Ivory” that was coincidentally completed the day before the show.
PHOTO BY GRACE WATTS
Once the clock struck nine, the lights dimmed and the room filled with applause as 54 Ultra took the stage. Leading off with an unreleased track, “Turn Me Around,” John Anthony’s charming stage presence and smooth vocals immediately grabbed the attention of each and every individual in the room. As the night went on, we were treated to three additional unreleased songs, in addition to crowd favorites like “Where Are You” and “Heaven Knows.”
54 Ultra has a unique ability of blending the lesser common latin-soul sound with a crowd favorite indie rock vibe, while providing listeners with an extremely refined listening experience. It is clear to everyone, given the tightness of the instrumentals and the charismatic abilities of John Anthony, that 54 Ultra can only continue to go up from here.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CHAPA
The night was complete with my personal favorite 54 Ultra song “Sierra.” After a night of slow dancing, crowdsurfing, and moshing with loved ones, everyone filed back into the streets of Brooklyn, full of adrenaline and excitement for what is to come next for 54 Ultra.
John Anthony will be taking his talents across the pond for a handful of November dates in Europe before returning back to the states for some additional shows in California and Las Vegas. This leg of the tour closes out at Festival Color Caribe in Dorado, Puerto Rico. 54 Ultra will be hitting the road again in January for a second North American leg covering cities in the south and midwest, so if you are looking to experience 54 Ultra live for yourself, it is not too late!