REVIEW: Cursive and AJJ Grace the Stage at Lark Hall

Dec 23

12/16 @ Lark Hall, Albany

“Despite being up against a blisteringly cold December weeknight, Cursive and AJJ brought light and life to a great local venue.”

Walking down Lark Street after the early sunset of mid December, you wouldn’t have guessed that there was a sold out show happening at an iconic local venue. On December 16, DIVE Presents brought indie-rock band Cursive to the stage at Lark Hall, supported by indie folk punk duo AJJ.

Despite the cold weather outside, people flocked to Lark Hall to see these bands and to sing along to tracks released when they were in high school along with ones less than a year old. As it got closer to showtime, the room filled up until people were occupying the entire space between the stage and the merch table at opposite ends of the room. The buzz that grew only increased as the bands made their way on stage.

AJJ kicked off the night in duo form, the pair wielding an acoustic guitar and an electric upright bass to bring folk-punk tunes to the crowd. During well known songs like “Brave as a Noun” and “Body Terror Songs” the crowd was singing along and even occasionally harmonizing. The energy was perfect for Lark Hall, filling up the space while still being intimate. They played songs off their 2007 album People Who Can Eat People are the Luckiest People in the World, the 2023 release Disposable Everything, and more. AJJ’s set was tight and well rehearsed, and was a perfect supporting act for Cursive’s more rambunctious set.

Following the opening duo, Cursive came out and launched right into “Consumers” from their newest record Devourer. The set spanned the band’s entire discography, including their debut EP, breakout record Domestica, and deeper cuts off Happy Hollow and Get Fixed. Between songs, lead singer and guitarist Tim Kasher commented on the beauty of the venue and how much he enjoyed playing there. Kasher also brought up the fact that Cursive played in the Capital Region just a few months before, saying that the audience could “beat [him] up” if the two setlists were the same. The setlists were different, so he doesn’t have to worry about it for now.

Both AJJ and Cursive brought a positive, interactive energy to their performances at Lark Hall. Each band talked back and forth with the audience between songs, making the show even more unique and special than it already was. Being able to have this sort of rapport with the musicians is one of the many benefits of Lark Hall and other local venues. The cozy, intimate atmosphere curated allows for these personal performances to develop.

Despite being up against a blisteringly cold December weeknight, Cursive and AJJ brought light and life to a great local venue. DIVE Presents brought yet another stellar show to Albany and it only increased the anticipation of what they might bring us next.

Find Cursive on Instagram at @cursivetheband and at cursivearmy.com. Their newest album Devourer can be found wherever you get your music.

Follow AJJ on Instagram at @ajjtheband and ajjtheband.com. Get Disposable Everything wherever you find your music and on Bandcamp at ajjtheband.bandcamp.com.

Follow DIVE Presents on Instagram at @diveupstate for information on upcoming shows and other events.