Always You baptizes the Goldfish as live music returns to the space formerly occupied by the Hi Hat

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Always You at the Goldfish (Photo by Notes From Vivace)

Always You, the indie band piloted by brothers Anton and Christoph Hochheim who formerly went by the name Ablebody, baptized the Highland Park venue the Goldfish on Thursday with a show celebrating the release of their new album “Bloom Off the Rose.”

It was the first live music event at the space formerly occupied by the Hi Hat (5039 York Blvd.), and attendees found both the familiar and new, courtesy of co-owner Bryan Sharafkhah-Sharp (Sticky Rice) and gang.

Still present are the high ceiling, brick walls and bar on the east wall. Back are the pool tables, which the Hi Hat featured at the start but removed by its end. The now-smaller stage has been relocated to the northeast corner of the room where the VIP seating was once situated. It’s the focal point of a downsized but elegant performance space with a checkerboard floor. Rows of booths straddle a partial barrier along the west side of the room.

As for Always You, they played their new album front to back, minus one song. Double Wish opened the night, which also featured DJ Josh Da Costa. The recently opened venue had been host to a few dance nights before Thursday’s live official debut.

Photos and reporting by Notes From Vivace