Photos By Gail
While out for a neighborhood walk on Juneteenth, I stumbled upon a spectacular find: a gorgeous and very groovy mural has appeared on the wall outside Berlin Under A, one of the East Village’s last remaining live‑music venues. Created by artist Jane Beaird, the visually striking work is a spot-on recreation (complete with the band’s iconic imagery and typography) of the movie poster for Hung Up On A Dream, the recently-released, career-spanning documentary on 60s pop legends The Zombies. Talk about a trip!
The mural went up in the first week of May in time to promote the film’s brief run at the Quad Cinema. I was lucky enough to see it with a couple of friends and we had our minds collectively blown! I definitely recommend checking it out it when it eventually hits your favorite streaming platform.
Based on a video posted on her Instagram, it looks like Jane drew the mural completely freehand without the use of stencils or slicks, very impressive! Her bold rendering transforms East 2nd Street into an open-air tribute, merging psychedelic rock nostalgia with the gritty charm of the neighborhood. Fans have captured the scene on social media, praising the mural as “a beautiful homage” and noting its perfect synergy with The Zombies’ perhaps best-known song, “Time of The Season” which is enjoying a resurgence thanks to the film.
Directed by Robert Schwartzman, Hung Up on a Dream premiered in March at South by Southwest and hit U.S. theaters this spring via Utopia (Schwartzman’s production / distribution company) and Tom Hanks‘ Playtone, with a local run, as mentioned, at the Quad Cinema on West 13th Street. The mural’s placement at a music venue like Berlin Under Alinks the film’s narrative to NYC’s musical roots and local culture.
The Hung Up On A Dream mural is a must‑see piece of public art for both fans of the band and street‑art lovers, offering a unique photo backdrop along with a reminder of The Zombies’ enduring musical legacy. Whether you’re heading to Berlin Under A for a show or simply strolling through the hood, Jane Beaird’s mural is a bright, beat-driven landmark that breathes life into the neighborhood and honors the classic band whose songs we still dream about.