This Past Year at Baby's and 101

Hey friends, family, fans, dear readers, Live Music enjoyers, it’s Caroline here. We have found ourselves in the sludge—both meteorologically and calendrically, surrounded by a mushy haze of melted snow and echoes of “what day is it” before we all ring in the beginning of a new year. It’s hard to get grounded at this time, so if you find yourself seeking opportunity to reflect, look no further than your inbox. Between + , we put on a total of 1070 shows in 2025 (498 at baby, 585 at 101). Which is completely and utterly psychotic. We have incredible staff at both venues: bartenders, barbacks, sound engineers, door and coat darlings, night managers, security guards, and porters. We all make these spots what they are, places for you and I to celebrate, share experiences, and enjoy live music and great company. Thank you for being a part of this past year together. While the landscape of “year end wrap up lists” can feel a bit suffocating, I’d like to think ours is special. I asked the behind the scenes team if they wanted to share a bit about their favorites from the year. Shows, songs, experiences, meals, memories, objects, ephemera. Everyone interpreted the prompt a bit differently, and divulged some insight into what made 2025 special for them. I’m curious what your favorites are from this year, too. Albums, songs, shows (at Baby’s/101 or otherwise). Please do share, the button’s right here. I’d like to dedicate this reflection to our dear friend Billy Jones, who we lost this year. You can read some of his 2024 favorites here. We love you Billy. Without further ado, some opinions, reflections, and photos from us. Favorite song to come out in 2025: “Leaving It All Behind“ - Soft Surface featuring Emily Yacina. This song is a power-pop heavyweight. I wore it in but still am not sick of it. “Breath in deep, I’m sinking to the bottom. As you sleep I sit here feeling rotten. Under the haze of the darking moon I catch your gaze and I know it’s true. I feel your pain and I wish it was different too.” oof... Who hasn’t been sitting in bed next to their lover all night understanding that something isn’t quite right, understanding you both want things to be better and different but there is no real way through. Emily’s voice is such a beautiful companion to Cameron’s and the last verse she sings ties up a love affair gone wrong so well. Really special, really needs to be put out there more. Favorite song not from 2025: “Things“ - Paul Westerberg. I had a massive Paul phase this year and definitely listened to this song over 1000 times. It has this classic almost sliding feel to it. It goes through the beginning to the end of a relationship in simple parts starting out new and uncommitted, falling deeply in love, understanding that it’s just another page in the book of your life. Photo: Manuel at Tom and Lucy’s house taken on my Dad’s Nikon F2. The framing and haze is beautiful. Show at Night Club 101: Wednesday’s release show for “Bleeds” because it felt like summer and I was so happy to host my dear friend at the space. Simple and easy, early, quick, an event. Show in general: Japanese Breakfast at Brooklyn Paramount. This was made the best show of the year because Adam, Karing, rob, and myself took our mothers for Mother’s Day and Michelle gave them both a massive shout out making us look like the best kids in the world, saying she felt like our family had become her family and our mothers have been like her mother. Really special moment to see Laurie and Terri feel like the stars of a 4000 capacity venue for a moment <3 Favorite meal: Borgo in June. A celebration for Emilie’s new job. Andres made us feel so special and welcome, sending perfect food in the most beautiful and spacious setting in NYC. He left a bottle of amaro on the table at the end. The food was unbelievable, the feeling was warm and romantic. They made us feel special and so taken care of. I can’t wait to go back. All of the best shows were at Baby’s and except Ryan Davis and the Roadhouse Band, which was at Union Pool, Smerz, which was at the Hancock, Operelly, which was at Montez Press Radio, and The Preservation Hall Band, which was at Brennan’s in New Orleans. All of the greatest music businesspeople were at Funny Bar with everybody else. We put on more than a thousand shows probably, sold 28,600 martinis at Funny Bar, and did other things we may never do again. This year has been interesting, sad, beautiful, frustrating, and rewarding all at once. It marks a full year of me stepping into the role of Venue Director at Baby’s All Right, and looking back, it honestly feels like a lifetime’s worth of change packed into twelve months. It was a year of transition for many of us. I won’t get into the weeds, but some old faces moved on to new opportunities, and we welcomed new folks who brought a fresh energy into the space. I love my staff..they’re truly the best and they hold it down every night. I love my colleagues, too, and I’m proud of us for continuing to show up with hospitality, openness, mindfulness, and a commitment to keeping Baby’s forward thinking and special. We navigated a lot this year: opening two new businesses, maintaining Baby’s at the standard it deserves, and doing all of that while carrying the grief of losing our co-founder, leader, and friend Billy Jones. We miss you. Big love to everyone who kept the feeling alive. We do it for y’all and for ourselves. Most Memorable Show at Baby’s: Moin is the one for me. For many reasons I won’t spill here lol, but that show was beautiful and deeply touching. It felt like the whole room was in a trance. Producing our SXSW showcase was another milestone. It felt meaningful to help shape such an important event for us and getting to contribute lineup ideas with Gleeson was a bonus. Hellotones at Babys All Right and Night Club 101, so great seeing community come to dance and have a great time. it’s always heartwarming to see my people in our spaces. Outside of Baby’s: Cindy Lee at Brooklyn Paramount was something else. Special, unique, and exactly what it needed to be. And honestly? F*ck Pitchfork and all the bros who thought Pat was going to show up with a live band and clearly didn’t get it. Any show I booked at Night Club 101 this year: Balkans Residency with Peaer, Foyer Red and Marbled Eye. Khadija Al Hanafi twice in live room and basement with Dj Quest, Dj Syd, AnnonXL & H31R. Shows booked at Babys: WiFiGawd with ANKHLEJOHN and Pig The Gemini. Salimata with Sideshow and Kelly Moonstone. Those were great and I love booking shows Other highlights: learning general handyman skills to fix up ol’ Baby’s, letting friends use the space to rehearse before big shows or tours, shoutout Triathalon, my guys. And special love to Omni, Benét, Shormey, Alfred, and Pedazo de Carne Con Ojo. Shows: Some of our off-site shows this year were especially memorable for me. We did two nights with Cameron Winter at a church in Greenpoint, where the pastor gave brief introductions about the importance of gathering and music. Cameron’s performances were some of the most affecting showcases of talent and effort I’ve seen, and I really cherish the memories of those shows. Our SXSW showcase was spectacular this year, and I really enjoyed documenting it, especially this little portrait series I did of all the acts. The boat show was also a lot of fun this year, and I liked making this little recap video too. I should do that more often. At Baby’s and 101, some of my favorite shows were Moin who entranced me, Fine who bewitched me with breathy vocals so akin to Hope Sandoval, Racing Mount Pleasant (at both clubs) who fill the space with cinematic swells of melody and brass, every time Porches played at Baby’s, IDLES at 101 for the release of Caught Stealing because it was utter chaos, Dutch Interior at Baby’s cause that music makes me feel like I’m in love and playing outside, Keiyaa at Baby’s cause she is magnetic, and just countless more. My favorite non-b…