On Wednesday night, Nicole Atkins (@nicoleatkins) brought a caravan of musicians and strong acts for her sold out album release party at Bowery Ballroom. The unusually high number of out-of-state license plates parked around the streets of Bowery gave evidence that New Jersey fans, friends, and family willingly crossed a few bridges and paid a few tolls to support their beloved Jersey songstress.

The crowd inside was diverse and more polite than the usual crew found at the Ballroom, ranging from patient middle aged Jersey folk to the impatient twenty-something New Yorkers. They gave rather comatose yet attentive reactions to one of the opening bands, The Gay Blades. Despite the low energy level of the audience, the trio performed a fun and electrifying set of upbeat, dance-rock tunes that anyone should have been happy to move their body to. Frontman Clark Westfield demanded audience participation from everyone he made eye contact with, while drummer Puppy Mills channeled his energy to pumping out driving rhythms. With their well crafted radio-worthy songs and humorous audience interaction, The Gay Blades definitely won the musical hearts of a few Nicole Atkins’ fans that night.

The arrival of headliner Nicole Atkins on stage was later than anticipated, which left fans more anxious than agitated. Joining her was the band The Black Sea, along with a violinist and cellist, making the number of musicians on stage feel close to that of a chamber orchestra.

Since the show was dubbed as her album release party, her set primarily consisted of songs from her latest album Mondo Amore. The album’s songs have a darker tone in comparison to Atkins’ previous releases, and that tone was reflected throughout her performance. Though Mondo Amore was released the day before, many in the audience sang Atkins’s new songs “Cry, Cry, Cry,” and “Vultures” as though they had been listening for years. The crowd was definitely released from their former comatose state and went into their version of a roar when she played a few of her older songs “The Way It Is”, “Maybe Tonight” and “Neptune City”.

She added a bit of humor and randomness to the night by inviting Senior on stage, the bare chested man pictured with her on Mondo Amore’s album cover. He enjoyed drinking the bottle of cheap wine provided for him, as well as talking to the audience in the balcony while Atkins played her more upbeat tunes. Eventually, Atkins playfully kicked him off stage keeping the bottle of wine with her.

As expected, Atkins gave a polished performance from beginning to end. With a mixture of southern rock vocals with the slightest hint of Broadway, her voice has an amazing range of technical power and emotion. The Black Sea’s tight and well crafted sound helped showcase her abilities even more. Atkins’ serious and mature approach to war, betrayal, and lost love through her music made it seem as though she’s lived several lifetimes. She’s unlike any other act out there and what she delivers is best appreciated live.

Nicole Atkins’ show at Bowery Ballroom was not one to be missed by those in the New York City area. However, Atkins fans that were unable to see her at Bowery Ballroom will get another chance to see her in the near future at Maxwells’ in Hoboken, NJ on March 11.