Wednesday night at Le Poisson Rouge provided a refuge from an unexpected yet aggressive rainstorm in New York City. However, the concert also proved to be a beautiful petri dish of emotion for fans ready to see Wrabel perform. Many rushed in from a downpour on Manhattan’s, Bleeker Street, and down the LPR stairs to see a raised stage with nothing but a piano. Gathered around the piano were candlelit tables with tissue packets with an insert reading “i cried at a wrabel show,” a perfect foreshadow for the evening’s performance.
Wrabel sat and the first note on Le Poisson Rouge’s Yamaha piano played the intro to ‘hurts like hell.’ The lyrics to the first song Wrabel played caused an audible laugh from the crowd for how fitting they were. “It’s been two years, eight months and a day/Walking ’round in New York in the rain.”
The next songs of the set filled the LPR main room with the high-ranging vocals on ‘Ritual’ and ‘good.’ With the piano in center stage it gave the unique experience of seeing other fans’ faces as Wrabel performed, and that was special. A quick scan saw many with their face in their hands rested onto their table staring at Wrabel like I stared at my first-grade crush, or one fan that literally held his hands hugging his heart for the entire set, and best of all the smiles of people circled watching who P!nk called “one of the greatest singers and songwriters alive today.”
Following ‘good,’ the artist even noted the unique feeling that was there, saying that the central stage reminded him of a ring like a WWF match. The crowd laughed as then Wrabel had the revelation that he was being watched from literally all angles. Another wave of laughs went over the crowd, and it was commentary like this that made the intimate setting feel even more meaningful. With each song, the room filled with strangers became linked through the beautiful and emotional songs and stories that were shared on stage.
Wrabel
Wrabel then shares the exciting news of the completion of his debut album ‘these words are for you.’ Sharing how much went into the album and how good it feels to have it ready to be released on September 24th. As he is sharing nearly the news nearly ten years in the making, every phone in the venue gets an emergency flash flood warning, and a laugh is shared with the disruption accompanied by the realization we are all in an underground music hall.
However, the show quickly carried on, and the keys struck notes of his song ‘back to back.’ Following the song, he revealed that this song was written after a show at this venue while he was on tour with Leon, and they wrote it together.
There was an almost tug-o-war of energy that could be felt from what Wrabel gave to the crowd and what the crowd gave back to him. Following a rather loud ovation after ‘Ten Feet Tall’ was played the artist made a point saying, “You guys are so special. I want to make eye contact with each one of you.” He then proceeded to slowly do a 360-degree spin around the venue looking at each person in attendance.
As if that wasn’t meaningful enough, the next song was a song that Wrabel had never played in concert. A song titled ‘wish you well’ and one of the late additions to his debut album. The song explores closing the chapter on a relationship and the moment where all you can do is wish the person you loved the best and shut the door. It was an incredibly beautiful song. The reaction was met with loud applause and even tears. Tears from Wrabel and tears from people in the audience. The physical embodiment of the tissue packets on the table came to life as many cried at a Wrabel show.
Again, being able to see the faces of so many in the crowd made the night even more powerful as you could see the feelings sweep across the room. What is being created on these nothing but the piano shows is a unique and intimate room to feel something with deep and vulnerable lyrics that are easy to relate to and the smooth vocals of an incredible musician.
‘wish you well’ wasn’t the only song debuted on Wednesday. ‘pale blue dot,’ a song that was co-written over zoom on a walk with Tenille Townes, was also a highlight of the night and a song that I can’t wait to be released.
Just as tears were drying at Le Poisson Rouge, the fan favorites of ‘The Village’ and ”11 blocks’ were played back to back, and you could feel the emotion sweep back into the room. Followed by a love song he proudly wrote all himself called ‘nothing but love.’
It is impossible to sum up the feeling that was created on a rainy night in New York City seated at the tables at Le Poisson Rouge. However, I left the show and got stuck in a flooded subway car where we sat for 2.5 hours, and I still have zero regrets about being there. And I don’t think I’m alone in that from the people that were there. The show put you on a high that carried you through even the most flooded of streets.
For tickets and more Wrabel visit his website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
