London-based indie rockers Special Needs played their first American show ever at New York’s Bowery Electric on Saturday, September 3rd. The band reformed earlier this year following a roughly five-year hiatus, during which their debut album, Funfairs & Heartbreak, was posthumously released. Led by frontman Zachery Stephenson, they seemed particularly assured of their way forward, playing both old and new songs with ease. To-be-released songs such as "Stuck in Human Resources" and the country-inspired "I’m Still the Man" fit in easily alongside harmony-heavy fan favorites, including "Sylvia" and "Gloucester Road". Special Needs don’t have any upcoming shows in the near future, but the fresh material promises more to come from the band.
Special Needs were accompanied by folk raconteuse Martha Makes Mistakes (QRO photos) and moody rockers Trouble Andrew (QRO photos).