Brooklyn's Bootblacks have a reputation for near non-stop touring, and they flaunted their performing prowess at Terminus Fest. The denizens of New York grime squeezed every drop of juice from their brief festival slot with a perfectly paced set of their signature brand of post-punk darkwave. Since forming over a decade ago, Bootblacks been on a steady path of progression, always refining their sound. The result is a band that's as confident in their sound as they are on stage together. As they continue to progress, Bootblacks is pushing further into electronic music.
Bootblacks had the setlist nailed down to a science, the energy gently ratcheted every song, quickly wrapping the crowd around their finger until they were bouncing along with the band's every move. Bootblacks' mix of modern darkwave with an undeniable '80s flair was effortlessly charming and approachable. Frontman Panther Almqvist's stage presence was beguiling and bewildering; with his bleach blond hair, full beard, black leather pants and silver loafers, he used up every inch of the small stage at Dickens, bouncing tirelessly to throbbing beats. Like many other post-punk bands, Bootblacks traffics in dark themes juxtaposed by dance music. Loneliness and heartbreak loom large while the beat soothes the wounds.
Repetitious, staccato guitars chirped and echoed alongside warm, full synth tones. With Kalle Fagerberg's blaring telecaster, Barrett Hiatt's instinctual percussion and thick walls of synth tone, Bootblacks were able to achieve remarkable crescendos, reaching an almost meditative post-rock haze of noise. Otherwise physical and throbbing dance music morphed and transformed into a ghostly and haunting ambience. Almqvist's vocals were brooding, yet assertive — his sultry incantations echoed and haunted the halls of Dickens.
Having garnered fans across North America and Europe, the breadth of Bootblacks' fanbase is a testament to their talent. Their extensive time together on stage has given them unmistakable rapport and instincts as a group. They move effortlessly and bring an energy that only a truly confident band can muster. They've found the sweet spot between nostalgia and invention to create an inimitable brand of familiar and fresh post-punk. One thing is certain: you'll never regret seeing a Bootblacks show.