Live: Kurt Vile Commands A Sea Of Hair And Plaid At Union Pool

Get used to not seeing this dude's face. Pics by Georgia, way more below.

Union Pool is one of the long-standing hook-up bars in Williamsburg. For as long as we can remember, it's been a place where people, usually young and fresh-faced college kids new to Brooklyn, go to flirt and maybe get picked up. But on Friday night, things were different: Kurt Vile was playing in the club space, and with him came a menagerie of older, bearded, more experienced gentlemen.

Sure, the crowd outside was still fashionable and hip, but inside were die-hard fans, nerds and cool kids mingling together.

Vile played the sold-out show with his band, the Violators. Since the last time we've seen them, a harpist (Mary from Espers) has been added. The band is now enchanting as well as rocking.

Vile's hair is a main player in the show.

The music was loud and awe-inspiring.

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No show is complete without a loud, drunken Australian heckler.

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There was a lot of plaid.

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A rare glimpse of Vile's FACE.

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"Freak Train" featured a free-jazz solo.

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This guy could really wail.

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Hairy and proud?

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Kurt Vile loves the Sadies

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I guess harpists get carpal tunnel too?

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She really wasn't into it...

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Who knew Vin Diesel was a Kurt Vile fan?

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The whole band had the long-hair thing going on.

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Even Vile's pedals are emotional.

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The Mad Scene opened the show with straightforward, non-nostalgic rock 'n' roll. These guys have been doing this forever...

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The night wouldn't be complete without a vuvuzela!

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