Smiths Tribute NYC Rocks the Opera House

"I've never been to a show where it felt like the singer was flirting with the crowd, he has a lot of presence," was what an excited concertgoer said as she made her way to the back to get a drink.

The girl had fun orange hair, bold blue eyeshadow, and an all black outfit. When it looks like The Cure meets Chappell Roan, you're looking at a new-age Smiths fan. And that's a crowd the band loves to see.

Ravi, the band's guitarist, enjoys all-ages shows like the one this Saturday. "It's great to see a new generation out here," he said.

He expressed how the band looks forward to smaller towns like Jim Thorpe to perform, and he has plenty of experience to back this preference up.

Prior to being The Smiths Tribue NYC, the band (excluding Sean), was known as Sons & Heirs.

Not only have they shared the stage with Smith's late bassist Andy Rourke and Morissey drummer Spencer Cobrin, they have also been positively remarked by WIRED magazine and Rolling Stone.

A big concern Ravi and the band have with seated crowds is that it can feel more difficult to get the energy going.

But from the moment "Seanissey" came out and took the microphone for their strong opener, I Want the One I Can't Have, the audience was hooked.

"Seanissey" presented an eccentric vibe that was captivating to watch. During Still Ill he even laid flat on the ground, all while still having a perfect pitch, near identical to that of young Morissey.

He moved with single flowers as props, throwing them into the crowd. He truly felt like he was taken here straight from the 80s to perform.

At first people were hesitant to dance in front of the stage. Assistant producer of the Opera House, Ella Thierry and her friend Natalie from Emmaus were the most noticible up front at first.

By the last few songs, with some encouragment from the band in the forms of both words and flowers, the standing area by the stage was packed with all ages.

The group varied all the way from teen girls swaying with their friends to elderly couples dancing with their drinks.

By center stage a teen boy and his grandmother were even moshing along the music.

Not only did The Smiths Tribute NYC do an incredible homage to the band, but they put on a fantastic show as well.

Check out their next shows at: smithstribute.com

-Kaylee Tate, EIC