Student Artist, Bri, co-headlines the inaugural show at Syracuse’s newest house venue, The Garden.

Written by Buddy Murphy

Student Artist, Bri, co headlines the inaugural show at Syracuse’s newest house venue, The Garden.

September 18th, Syracuse University Neighborhood - Covid 19 has made live music an almost completely distant memory. With University sponsored live music events still M.I.A., students at Syracuse University have decided to create their own live music events. The house show scene is as dominant as ever with new venues popping up left and right.

On September 18th, a new venue, coined “The Garden,” had its inaugural show. The bill featured two student artists, Tessa Pulgar and Bri. When I approached the venue, there was a line from the door to the sidewalk. The only reason I was allowed in was because I was reporting for this article. I had to wait for the intermission between sets before there was room for me to make my way into the basement. The place was packed to show support for the artists. Making my way up to the front, I was greeted by a lovely little stage. The theme of “The Garden” is fully on display. The wall behind the stage is covered in green turf accompanied by two window shutters and hanging planters with fake flowers. The area makes for a closer and more intimate performance compared to other house venues. 

Bri, who also goes by bri4fromtheblock on social media, was in control of the crowd’s attention the moment she stepped up to the microphone. She performed a mix of her own songs and a couple of covers. She opened up with her song Comin’ Thru. Between each song, she made sure that she had a conversation with the crowd. Her third song on the set, Mr. Say So, required some crowd participation. The song, which is focused on a manipulative, gaslighting ex boyfriend, yielded a loud “Mr. Say So, how’s it feel to hear no?” from the crowd. 

After her first three songs, Bri had the crowd feeling themselves when she did a cover of The Weekend by SZA followed by Bills Bills Bills by Destiny’s child. She had the entirety of the crowd singing word for word. Bri then wrapped up her set with two of her own songs, Catch your vibe and Better With You. The crowd gave a roaring applause and began to shuffle out with some sticking behind to congratulate the Garden staff on their inaugural show and some sticking behind to talk to Bri. 

The R&B style that Bri brought was the perfect culmination for the venue's inaugural show. It was at times low energy and very intimate, and other times it was rowdy and boisterous. The basement was packed and the crowd loved every second of it. The Garden will be having their next show on October 8th and Bri will be having her next show on October 9th at The Blueroom.

For more on the Gardens inagural show, check out www.20wattsmagazine/diy-coverage/introducing-the-garden-sus-newest-underground-music-venue