Samuel Holden Jaffe known by his artist name Del Water Gap has quickly ascended into one of indie and alternative pop’s rising superstars having secured support slots for noteworthy acts such as Maggie Rogers and currently Niall Horan. Having time in-between his tenure as support for Horan, Jaffe decided to grace legendary venue The Stone Pony with an intimate one-off show that was rightfully packed to the gils with eager fans. Right away Del Water Gap proves itself to be an exhilarating experience as Jaffe’s physical and theatrical style was nothing short of mesmerizing and his backing band provided the perfect companion to his lush and moody sound. The momentum of the show was non-stop and Jaffe’s stage presence was full of grand energy that ensured each song left an impression and his connection with his fans brought a welcome sincerity to the proceedings. The mix of high-energy numbers and more understated intimate songs allowed for a well-rounded showcase of Jaffe’s artistry and he managed to transition between the various moods with tremendous skill and ease.

while it was admittedly a short show in length, Jaffe and his crack band made every minute count and the fans were completely enraptured in the process. The mix of sounds and emotions Del Water Gap manages to include in such a short span allowed for the show to feel consistently engaging and Jaffe’s mix of honesty and vulnerability was refreshing. The most captivating aspect of Del Water Gap’s live show is the sheer passion and soul Jaffe pours into his music that created a true resonance. Getting to witness a rising star in the making is an exciting prospect and for Jaffe his performance here at a sold out Stone Pony show indicates that his artistry is ever present. Judging by the magnitude of his performance here and the thrilling unity of it’s emotional impact, it’s clear Jaffe is destined and well on his way to bigger stages and accolades.

Credit also to his choice of opener Kaleah lee whose soulful and intimate blend of folk-inspired songwriting was a welcome surprise and provided a strong start to the show. Her soft spoken yet soulful vocals were very engaging in their own right and despite being on stage solo, she more than held her own and engaged the audience with her candor and warmth. Her music contained elements of soul, folk and the blues but she managed to make each song sound distinct, no easy feat when you’re primarily acoustic but Kaleah’s self-assured style made the most of every moment. It’s not always an easy task being an opener, especially when you’re all alone on stage but with her confident songwriting, natural gravitas and multi-faceted vocals, Kaleah Lee more than showcased her apparent talents and will surely be an act to keep an eye out for!

If you ever get a chance to experience Del Water Gap live, it’s an experience that’s highly recommended. Be sure to follow Del Water Gap on all social media and streaming platforms for future shows and announcements!

Kaleah Lee