REVIEW: Telescreens: Live at Smith's Olde Bar - ATL

The New York rock outfit stops through Smith's ahead of their upcoming album

Telescreens performing at Smith's Olde Bar in ATL (Photo by Magali Rivera)

New York-based band Telescreens brought their first-ever Atlanta show to Smith’s Olde Bar on April 9th. The alternative rock four-piece were on tour supporting Quarters, their NYC neighbors, and decided to drop in to our city to headline Smith’s Music Room stage. The set was rambunctious and sweaty from the first song. An energy was on display that is hard to come by, and the crowd hungrily fed right off it.

Jackson Hamm of Telescreens in ATL (Photo by Magali Rivera)

Telescreens formed in late 2016 after founding members all met each other in an NYC college class: vocalist/guitarist Jackson Hamm, keyboardist Josiah Valerius, and bassist Austin Brenner. Hamm later recruited drummer Oliver Graf, who he knew from childhood in California. The band played for some time without their drummer but ultimately credit the addition of Graf to fully forming the sound of Telescreens as we know it today.

The band has a different outlook on making music than most young rockers do. They see each album they create as a chance to make a complete record rather than a collection of singles that could just happen to be placed together. This method of art creation and music curation is not only what made two of their albums, 2020’s The Return and 2024’s 7, stand out but also stand the test of making fans across the country who come to a show like this first one in Atlanta and know every single word to every single song.

Telescreens in ATL (Photo by Magali Rivera)

The audience was quickly blown away by the freedom with which every member of the band moved around the stage and played to the fullest. Valerius and Brenner had their keys/synth and bass, respectively, perfectly cranked up to balance out Graf’s crashing drums. Hamm strummed away so hard at his guitar he broke strings multiple times throughout the set, all while singing, and at times screaming, the lyrics to the band’s indie rock dealings. One might wonder why he would then choose to change the strings himself mid song, but that is precisely what made their set the epitome of rock ‘n’ roll.

Telescreens ahead of the release of their new album (Photo by Magali Rivera)

It is clear Telescreens are influenced by bands like The Strokes and Nirvana and are vocal about adoring the likes of Fontaines D.C. and Wunderhorse. The new singles from their upcoming record Why The Lights Flicker spell out just that. “Baby I Know You Well” is one standout track that is free, breezy, and dance-inducing, and pairs well with the screeching and booming “Nothing.”

Telescreens made their mark on Atlanta on April 9th, and fans will have to wait until July 12th for more when their new record releases. In the past, the band has played the main stage at Gov Ball and headlined iconic New York venues like Webster Hall and Bowery Ballroom. Coming up, they have a couple opening spots for Sir Chloe announced, but will no doubt keep booking shows and festivals to bring their raucous energy to more new cities and fans.

Article and photos by Magali Rivera. Please credit @magliriver or @art.seen.atl if reposting on social media.