The Midnight Bring Synth Wave Dance Vibes to Brooklyn

I am a big fan of 80s influenced synth wave music and no one does it better than LA’s own The Midnight. When I found out they would be playing one of my favorite venues, Brooklyn Paramount, I could not wait for this show. While I was in line outside members of the bands’ team were outside with someone else waiting for The Ghostbusters Car. If you know NYC at all, you know the lore and that NYC is deeply rooted in the Ghostbusters story. When the car pulled up outside and everyone cheered, I knew it was going to be a good night.

The show opened up with New Constellations, a Portland based duo with a sound that fit right in. The band is composed of two lifelong friends Harlee Case and Josh Smith. Their dreamy, pop infused synth music feels like a perfect fit to open up for a band like The Midnight. Even though the band only has 2 members, their set wasn’t lacking in anything. Harlee bounced between keys and bass while she sang, and Josh backed her up wonderfully on guitars and keys. I love when a band seems to be having a good time and these two were absolutely having a blast together. Harlee talked about how the band formed- she had stepped away from music for a couple of years before realizing, in her words: “I have to sing. I am a fucking singer.” She posted something looking for a band and her old friend Josh hit her up and 10 years later the dream is alive and well.

After their set and a little bit of a wait, Brooklyn Paramount dimmed and the cover from the album Monsters glowed on the LED screen. The neon hue of the visuals set the stage for what the next 90 minutes would look like. While only bathed in blue light band member Rhett Shull came out and started playing the synths, before moving to the guitar. After a minute or so of this dreamy intro the rest of the band took the stage and the Time Machine tour was officially underway in NY on April 24 with “Sanctuary / Love Is an Ocean.”

This was my first time seeing them play, but I was immediately drawn in. The mostly blue light, the smoke and the synths- damn. The vibes were immaculate. Towards the end of the set singer Tyler Lyle made a comment that early on he told management, “there would be no way for The Midnight to play live shows” and respectfully, he could not have been more wrong. The place was packed with thousands singing along to every word. “Friction” was the second song on the set list and while their first song took a minute to build, “Friction” hits like a bomb almost immediately. The song would fit in any upcoming Miami Vice remakes perfectly.

The Midnight was originally a duo of Tyler Lyle and Tim McEwan but they have managed to translate that into a fully formed absolutely fantastic touring unit. Every single person on stage was absolutely mesmerizing to watch. They ripped through some of my favorites like “Gloria”, “Change Your Heart Or Die”, “Lost Boy” “Los Angeles” and so much more. It seemed like everyone also played synths or keys when they were not playing their main instrument. But if you know the band and you’re reading this you’re probably wondering about one thing: saxophone. Did they bring the saxophone to the live show? Hell yes they did. Justin Klunk was front and center on the sax many, many times throughout the night. Incredible.

It was a really fun show to shoot and see. From the random confetti cannons popping off in the crowed, to the couples who swayed with the music. The Midnight manages to take all the best parts of 80s music: synths, keys, guitar solos, yearning vocals, big huge drums — they even had a keytar played by OBLVYN pop out a couple of times. Somehow they never feel like they are doing too much and they also never feel cheesy. Some of the biggest 80s hits feel kind of cheesy when you view them now. The Midnight manages to feel fresh and new while also transporting you back. That isn’t easy to do.

Lyle talked a bit in between the songs. He mentioned forming in LA but also let the Brooklyn crowd know that many of the songs they were playing were written “blocks from here” eliciting an eruption from the crowd. He also mentioned the struggles he had to overcome to be here, including covid and his wife’s cancer. It is clear that all of that has made the songwriting even better through the years.

They played a 20 song set to an extremely sold out crowd. “The Comeback Kid,” “Vampires,” “Days Of Thunder” — every song played so well. Harlee Case of New Constellations joined the band for “Jason” and her vocals fit right in with the rest of the band. Honestly, it would’ve been a treat to feature her more because The Midnight uses a female vocal with Lyle’s often in their music. The encore included “Summer’s Ending Soon” and “Sunset.” Their last song had the crowd and band literally jumping during the whole thing. The energy was so high when they finished that it almost didn’t feel like a finale. Confetti rained down while the last strains of saxophone echoed off the walls.

The Midnight show that the new waves of 80s inspired music is not going anywhere soon. They also show it’s possible to make music that is a callback to a simpler time, but also stands fully authentically on it’s own. It was a really fun show to cover and I found myself putting the camera down many times to dance with everyone around me many times. I left there smiling and I have been listening to them every day since. There is less than a month left on the Time Machines tour, and a lot the shows are sold out or have low tickets. But if you have a chance to see them you absolutely should. No matter what your expectations are, they will surpass them. I promise you.