Emerging from New York City's underground music scene, Lip Critic has built a reputation on unpredictability, noise, and experimentation. The four-member band will bring its genre-blurring live show to Gabe’s on Feb. 19, 2026, featuring Bret Kaser, Connor Kleitz, Danny Eberle, and Ilan Natter.
Known for genre-defying performances, Lip Critic blends elements of punk, electronic, hip-hop and hardcore while operating firmly within the city’s DIY scene. The band has become a staple of New York’s underground circuit, earning a reputation for chaotic, high-energy live shows that blur the line between performance art and experimentation. Their sets often prioritize spontaneity and physicality, creating an immersive atmosphere that emphasizes intensity over refinement.
Featuring an unorthodox setup of two samplers, two drummers and vocals, Lip Critic emphasizes improvisation during performances, often experimenting with and reworking their released material onstage. Songs frequently evolve from one show to the next, with extended rhythms, sudden tempo shifts and layered electronic textures shaping each singular experience. Rolling Stone wrote, “Lip Critic did end up with an arrangement that bewilders listeners as often as it thrills them,” a description that reflects the band's unpredictable approach and willingness to push beyond traditional live structures.
Formed in 2018, Lip Critic has steadily built its catalog through a series of studio releases, including multiple singles and EPs that showcase the band's evolving, experimental sound. These projects have helped establish the group within New York City's underground music scene and beyond. In late 2023, Lip Critic announced it had signed with Partisan Records, an independent label known for representing alternative and experimental artists such as Fontaines D.C. and Blondshell, a move that signaled the band's growing presence on both a national and international stage.
Hex Dealer, Lip Critic's most recent album, captures the band's restless, genre-blurring approach while pushing further into experimentation. The record combines abrasive percussion, distorted samples and fragmented vocals, creating a tense, kinetic sound that reflects the energy of the band's live performances. While tracks are tightly constructed, the album leaves room for chaos and unpredictability, reinforcing Lip Critic's interest in movement. The album signals the band's broader creative ambition.
To get a sense of Lip Critic’s sound ahead of the show, listeners can explore this Spotify playlist featuring the band’s music alongside tracks from similar artists.
Making their way to Iowa, Lip Critic will perform a ticketed show at Gabe’s on Feb. 19, 2026. This is a Track Zero Production in collaboration with SCOPE, with opening acts to be announced. Tickets are on sale now.