On June 9, Deer Tick performed at the Warsaw in Brooklyn, New York, presented by Live Nation as part of their 50-date 2026 North American tour. Acoustic singer-songwriter Ben Vaughn opened with a 25-minute folk-influenced set and was joined by Deer Tick on stage during his final two songs.
The band took the stage at 9:30 p.m., opening with “Dog Years” from their new record, Coin-O-Matic, released June 5 via ATO Records. The Rhode Island group, comprised of John McCauley, Ian O’Neil, Chris Ryan and Dennis Ryan, delivered a high-energy performance at the Warsaw.
Lead singer John McCauley interacted consistently with the audience, keeping people engaged while performing songs that had only been released a few days earlier. The band shared stories behind the new material, including “ACI,” which is about life in Providence, Rhode Island, adding an extra layer of connection to the performance. Before performing “Candy Cigarettes,” the band explained that the song was written in response to the current political climate and dedicated it to immigrants.
Deer Tick transitioned seamlessly between songs while incorporating extended saxophone solos and distinctive synth textures that resonated well within the venue’s acoustics. The popular Greenpoint venue, which has a capacity of 1,000, has hosted countless artists since 2001, including artists such as King Princess, who performed their second headlining show there in 2019.
With more than 200,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, Deer Tick has built a loyal following that has continued to support the band throughout their two-decade career. Their stage presence appears influenced by jam bands such as Goose and Dead & Company, incorporating extended guitar solos and expanded arrangements that keep audiences engaged throughout the set. These influences blend naturally into Deer Tick’s own sound, creating a distinctive live experience.
Deer Tick fits comfortably within Brooklyn’s indie music scene and understands the audience drawn to their shows. While much of the concert featured upbeat, electric guitar-driven material, the band stepped off the stage near the end of the set and moved into the general-admission crowd to perform their final songs. One of those songs was “Dead Flowers,” originally recorded by The Rolling Stones.
Making full use of the Warsaw’s intimate layout, the band gathered in the center of the room with acoustic guitars to perform “Ashamed,” which has accumulated more than 12 million streams on Spotify from their debut album, War Elephant. Deer Tick’s ability to connect directly with audiences remains one of their greatest strengths. Their engaging stage presence and dynamic performances continue to translate effectively in clubs and theaters across North America, helping sustain a career that has now spanned more than 20 years.
Setlist
Dog Years
Mary Singletary
Baltimore Blues #1
Houston TX
Endless Loop
Easy
Once In A Lifetime
Me and My Man
I Am An Island
Mange
Born To Loose (The Heartbreakers Cover)
Art Isn’t Real (City Of Sin)
ACI
Twenty Miles
507 Smith
The Dream’s in the Ditch
Jumpstarting
Candy Cigarettes
Goodbye, Dear Friend
Ashamed
Oh Donna (Ritchie Valens cover)
Dead Flowers (Rolling Stones Cover)
Play It All Night Long
Miss K
Photo credit: Kalyn Oyer
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