Sun-Soaked Sounds: Ballyhoo! Lights Up Gramercy with Feel-Good Vibes

Ballyhoo! brought their signature reggae-rock sound and infectious beach vibes to Gramercy Theatre, delivering an energetic and feel-good set had the crowd swaying, singing, and soaking up the summer spirit.

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Sunday, September 8th, was the perfect night for a trip to New York City. The weather was ideal—warm enough to go without a jacket but not so humid that it made you sweat. With some time to spare and the beautiful evening around us, we opted to walk to the Gramercy Theatre.

The Gramercy is an excellent venue for shows, offering a general admission (GA) feel with the added option of stadium seating behind the open floor area. It gives concertgoers the choice to stand close to the stage or sit back and relax, depending on their preference. 

Sunday nights are usually slower for live music, but the band didn’t let that dampen their energy. They played hard for the dedicated fans who came out.

We arrived in the middle of the opening set by Quasi Kings, a band with a lively blend of reggae, rock, and hip-hop. Their infectious energy got the crowd moving, especially when the lead singer shotgun a beer on stage. After about 20 minutes, their set ended, and the stage was reset for the next act.

There was a bit of confusion when Ballyhoo! hit the stage at 7:55 PM, as many—including us—expected them to be the headlining act. The ticket and marquee made no mention of the show being a dual-headlining tour, so it caught us by surprise.

With sun-soaked, feel-good vibes, Ballyhoo! brought a taste of the beach to Gramercy. Lead singer Howi Spangler, sporting bleach-blonde hair and a tan, looked like he had just stepped off the sand. Smiling throughout the set, the band dove into their opener, “I Don’t Wanna Go,” immediately energizing the crowd.

Their hour-long set, while solid, felt too short, possibly because we hadn’t anticipated seeing them mid-show. Songs like “Clip My Wings,” “Walk Away,” and “Blaze This Weed” had the crowd singing along, while others swayed and bopped to the band’s irresistible blend of rock and reggae.

The band’s chemistry was tight, and their energy was palpable, especially when the guitar and bass players jumped onto speakers during crescendos.

Ballyhoo!’s stage presence balances well between engaging the crowd and delivering solid music. Their sound—an effortless fusion of rock, reggae, and beachy vibes—made for a perfect end-of-summer experience. Highlights included “Dark Sunglasses,” “Sleeping On The Couch,” “Social Drinker,” and “Sharks At The Beach.”

A special moment of the night was their reggae-infused cover of blink-182’s “Dammit.” The slowed-down version, with a chill, laid-back beat, was a standout in the set. They wrapped things up with the sweet, hip-swaying “Mixtape,” leaving fans wanting more.

Fans of Sublime, Dirty Heads, Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid, Pepper, Iration, and Bumpin Uglies will feel right at home with Ballyhoo’s beachy, party-ready sound.

If you’re looking for a laid-back, fun night of reggae-infused rock, Ballyhoo! is a band to check out. Catch them on the rest of their tour now. For more information on Ballyhoo! Check out their official website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) pages.

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Ballyhoo! Set List

I Don’t Wanna Go

She Wants to Destroy Me

Shellshock

Middle Finger

Sleepin’ on the Couch

Clip My Wings

Walk Away

Social Drinker

Sharks at the Beach

Scarlet Blue

Dammit (blink-182 cover)

Blaze This Weed

Dark Sunglasses

Mixtape

About Ballyhoo:

A rock band with punk energy and pop reggae grooves, Baltimore’s BALLYHOO! are a fun, fan-loving powerhouse. These road dogs have tirelessly toured coast-to-coast taking their music to the people. Between the road and the studio, BALLYHOO! have crafted a sound distinctly their own; fresh, fun, and embodied by the soul of the party lifestyle. Lead singer and guitarist, Howi Spangler, has a reputation for mixing slick lyrics with his smooth but powerful voice. Drummer Donald Spangler lays out the hard-hitting beats. Scott Vandrey layers in the finishing touches to the band’s signature sound on keys. The guys recently welcomed Nick Lucera as their new bass player.

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