Esser at Highline Ballroom

Esser at Highline Ballroom, 9.17.09

We were lucky enough to see Esser’s US debut performance in June at the now defunct New York club Le Royale. Last week he came back around playing Highline Ballroom for a proper US tour with Datarock, but first we met up before the show for a quick interview (check back soon.) My animated caricature-like perception based on his stage persona was quickly humbled by the soft-spoken, sweatpants and sneakers-wearing Ben Esser.

Karin Park kicked off the night (we unfortunately missed her set but heard it was GREAT) before Esser took the stage at about 10PM.

Highline Ballroom is obviously a much bigger venue than Le Royale but Esser rocked the 30 minute set and worked the somewhat unfamiliar crowd.

This time around it was obvious that Ben was under at lot less pressure, dressing down onstage and having more fun doing so. At one point during the show he joined the crowd with a Heineken (seemingly his drink of choice) in hand and watched his band jam out. Although short and sweet Esser delivered another great set. Hopefully time will give us a much longer set next time.

MP3: Esser – Headlock (The Big Pink Remix) or zShare
MP3: Thecocknbullkid – Kiss Kiss Kill (Esser Remix) or zShare