The Smoker’s Club: Mavi & friends at Irving Plaza
All photos shot by Lucas Umana
The Smoker’s Club hosted a show at Irving Plaza on Monday, boasting a lineup of artists including Mavi, Lexa Gates, and more. With booths from The Smoker’s Club itself and Ted’s Budz, the show felt more like a micro music festival than a stand alone concert.
The night started off with a DJ set from Annabelle Kline. With Kirby visuals as her backdrop, she played a range of trap songs that got the crowd ready for the artists to come, but was still very much her own. Her set was energizing, and I found myself bopping along the entire time. From the DJ booth, you could read Annabelle’s energy, and it was contagious.
Ted’s Budz was the first artist to perform, followed by a short film interlude from Jasiah Powers. His short film documented the Fly Kicks Project, which was centered around giving back to his community. Everyone invited to be a part of the mini documentary was required to bring a pair of shoes to donate to unhoused individuals in Brooklyn. I think that often people debate about how necessary it is that music and art are used to make a statement. Jasiah’s short film was a prime example of art not only making a purposeful and direct statement, but that art having a tangible impact. Having an interlude that championed collectivism felt like the perfect way to underscore this show.
DJ sets in between each performer kept things rolling and kept the crowd moving. The artists, while all related in genre, brought their own feel to the event. Niontay DJ’d his own set and came in with a more electronic sound. Lexa Gates provided a nice melodic break with her set. Sideshow, Valee, and Ovrkast kept the vibes going both before and after the headliner of the event, Mavi.
Mavi chose a selection of songs from his discography that covered all the bases: upbeat, reflective, tranquil. The tracks spanned a spectrum of emotions that the crowd could fully immerse themselves in, making the set so well rounded. What I noticed right away about Mavi was that he really played into the “live” aspect of live music. His crowd work added another dimension to his already great set. From conversations with the crowd to call and responses to bringing his mom on stage, Mavi made his performance so interactive. The main two things I look for in any show is if an artist can make me feel present and keep me moving throughout the set. Mavi did both with ease; he is definitely one to watch.
The Smoker’s Club Show at Irving Plaza was more than a concert, it was an event where the audience gathered at simply have a good time. For me, this is the very thing that made the show. Since concerts have made a comeback post-pandemic, there has been such a greater appreciation for live shows and what they can be. Now more than ever, the symbiotic relationship between the artist and audience seems to thrive. Seeing a performer truly feed off of the audience’s energy, and seeing the audience reciprocate, is special. The environment at the Smoker’s Club show was one that was so comfortable, and facilitated such a connection between those sharing their art and the people there to see it.
