REVIEW: Two Bands, One Perfect Night: The Dip & Bailen at The Bearsville Theater
4/13 @ Bearsville Theater, Woodstock
Photos by Adem Jones
“Tom Eddy, the lead vocalist, looked out at the crowd and said, “When you’re a musician, Woodstock is one of the first places you learn about, yet it’s one of the last places we’ve visited. I guess that makes you like a final boss.”
Have you ever been to one of those shows where everything just clicks before you even step inside the venue? The weather was perfect. 55 degrees and sunny, which gave me the perfect excuse for a leisurely, windows-cracked drive to Woodstock, my first time visiting the area. Cruising through the picturesque town, I spotted my destination: The Bearsville Theater, a venue as scenic as it gets.
The whole place looked like something out of a storybook. Fairy lights twinkled around the parking lot, and the building looked like a cozy barn, proudly displaying the words ‘Bearsville Theater’ with a painted bear above.
Inside, the warmth of the place matched its cozy exterior. The atmosphere felt welcoming, with friendly staff and a crowd that clearly returns time and time again.
The night kicked off with Bailen, a trio whose sound blends indie-pop with a strong folk-rock twist. From the very first song, I was hooked. Their music has this effortless quality, but what stood out was their beautiful three-part harmonies.
There was something almost magical about how their voices blended: natural, smooth, and perfectly in sync. The kind of harmony you only get from siblings, which, as it turns out, they are. Julia Bailen, the lead singer and guitarist, along with her brothers, Daniel (bass) and David (drums), absolutely captivated the crowd. Their vocal chemistry and musicality were undeniable.
One song that particularly stood out was “I Was Wrong,” a song about owning up to one’s mistakes. The lyrics made me stop in my tracks: “We sure can talk, but can we hear? 'Cause years won't make you wise if you don't try to listen.” Damn. It was a quiet moment in the set, where you could feel every word, and the crowd was right there with them. All in all, Bailen set the bar high, and the crowd was already buzzing as they left the stage.
After a brief intermission, The Dip hit the stage, and holy hell, the energy never dropped. The group kicked off with “Bougainvillea Blues,” an upbeat standout track from their latest album, Love Direction.
Tom Eddy, the lead vocalist, looked out at the crowd and said, “When you’re a musician, Woodstock is one of the first places you learn about, yet it’s one of the last places we’ve visited. I guess that makes you like a final boss.”
And they sure as hell played like they wanted that final boss to know exactly who they were. From the moment they stepped out, it was clear they were giving it every single thing they had.
Tom Eddy (lead vocals/guitar), Jarred Katz (drums), Mark Hunter (bass), Brennan Carter (trumpet), Levi Gillis (tenor sax), Evan Smith (baritone sax), and Jace Holmes-Floyd (keys) were a force to be reckoned with and you could tell that every member had a deep connection not only to their music but to each other.
The Dip’s sound is this perfect mix of soul, funk, and classic blues with a touch of class. Tracks like “Slow Sipper” hit you like a shot of whiskey, the fire in your chest that burns but feels so damn good.
But it was their cover of Bobby Caldwell’s “What You Won’t Do For Love” that completely took me by surprise. They gave it their own flavor, so groovy, funky, and soulful in a way that was so damn tasty, it made me fall in love with the song all over again.
When “Love Direction” came through, everything clicked. That song is the heart of their sound. A mix of smooth sophistication and raw power. Elegant on the surface but packed with enough punch to knock you off your feet. Classy and strong, wrapping around you like something you’ll never quite get enough of.
When they closed their set, the crowd wasn’t ready; we needed more. And of course, they gave it to us. “Adeline,” the slower bluesy track, like a musical punch to the gut because how dare you give us something so delectable when we all know this is the end? It was the kind of song you could feel in your bones, and it wrapped up their set with a perfect touch of soul, emotion, and heart.
As I stepped out of the Bearsville Theater, the weather was still perfect, just like when I had arrived. I had a ton of tunes stuck in my head, and I couldn’t help but smile as I looked over all of my new merch: a t-shirt for Bailen, one for The Dip, and of course, one for Bearsville Theater itself. The night had unfolded exactly as it was meant to, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything had come together in perfect harmony.
As I drove back, all I could think about was how badly I wanted to see both acts again. How badly I wanted to return to Bearsville Theater. It was one of those nights where I felt like I had fallen in love with more than just the music. I had fallen for two bands and a venue that had everything right, and I can’t wait to experience it all again. It really was a perfect night.