It was a sold out Mercury Lounge Wednesday night for bands with ocean-related names. Californian native Day Wave played his first New York show, with support from the Brooklyn based Surf Rock is Dead.

The early show (based on New York standards) started off with yet another solid set from SRiD. Having seen them play twice this week alone, I find something new to be charmed by every time. This time, it was the sheer strength of their instrumentals. The addictive quality of both Kevin and Joel’s voice is mesmerizing in its own accord, but its combination with their talent on the guitar and bass (and drums!) is undeniable. Their sound made its way around Mercury that night, and it was a good sound to hear.

Inching up towards the stage to accommodate the sold out crowd, Jackson Phillips took the stage with his 4-piece band. Having just recently put out his debut EP, the support for his first New York show really stood as a testament to his talent. The 11-song set included all of those previously released songs, like “Drag”, “Nothing At All”, “Total Zombie”, “Headcase”, and “We Try but We Don’t Fit In”. Although New Yorkers never cease to fail at showing no emotion other than a slight head bob at a show, their reception of the unreleased songs became obvious with roaring applause, many a woo’s, and an air of anticipation for an full-length album.

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Day Wave is currently on tour, so get your surfboard and ride out to one!