From Galway, Ireland, up and coming indie-rock band NewDad charm the crowd as they mark their first Nottingham gig in the city’s esteemed venue, Rescue Rooms. Maddie Craig reviews.
Despite the potential for low energy on a sombre Sunday night, a possibility made more probable by the unprecedented cancellation of support act HighSchool, spirits soared as front woman Julie Dawson offers an amiable greeting. A diverse range of ages in attendance, the crowd clearly characterises the foursome’s wide appeal, as in 2021 Dawson tells NME that incidentally, their offbeat name NewDad, attracts extensive popularity among dads.
The band open their set with Drown, a track from their 2021 debut EP Waves. Dawson states, ‘that was the remix’, as drummer Fiachra Parslow subsequently confesses to dropping his sticks twice. Despite the mistake, Parslow’s humorously self-deprecating acknowledgement of his clumsiness only makes the drummer more likeable, thus absolving potential criticism.
As the set continues, a track of particular acclaim is Blue, one of NewDad’s earliest singles, released in 2020. From personally discovering the song on Steve Lamacq’s BBC Radio 6 Music show, this track encapsulates a strong element of nostalgia. The foursome certainly did not disappoint as languid melodies permeate through the crowd, resulting in an agglomeration of whooping and cheering, including a notable ‘f***ing fantastic’ from one proud Irish fan. Proceeding songs included Cry; Banshee, Ladybird, and fan-favourite singalong, I Don’t Recognise You. Notably, NewDad impress the crowd with new song In My Head, perhaps a nod to prominent Irish band The Cranberries, in which hit single Zombie contains the refrain, ‘in your head’?
''The foursome certainly did not disappoint as languid melodies permeate through the crowd, resulting in an agglomeration of whooping and cheering''
Another stand-out track from the latest 2022 EP, Banshee, is Say it, an emotive anthem about heartache. Enchanting tones reminiscent of Wolf Alice and self-doubting lyrics comparable with The Cure, the track realizes a high standard. While many of NewDad’s songs concern themselves with the common trope of heartbreak and unrequited love, Dawson’s dreamy vocals, combined with restless chords and an unrelenting bassline, exude originality and edge.
As the evening nears the end, Dawson instructs us to ‘dance or cry’ to penultimate song Waves. The melancholic serenity of the track suggests influences of dream pop, prompting the crowd to sway back and forth, ironically creating collective ‘wave’ motions. As the song comes to an end, Dawson shows compassion and relief through affecting smiles – such overwhelming emotion is certainly unsurprising given the restrictions of the pandemic upon the Arts industry, thus such gratitude to finally be able to perform remains starkly visible amidst bands today.
For their final song, rather than indulging in a crushingly predictable encore, NewDad close the set with high intensity track How, including an extended finish as all three guitarists collectively jam out to reach a crescendo of strumming. After the short but sweet 45-minute set, fans are nevertheless left wanting additional songs, as ecstatic cheers of ‘more!’ ripple through the venue – a clear sign of a Nottingham debut to be revered.
Maddie Craig
Edited by: Amrit Virdi
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