by Petyr Campos
Friday night saw Nada Surf and Office Dog play at the Great American Music Hall. Nada Surf is an American alternative rock band formed in New York City in 1992, consisting of Matthew Caws (guitar, vocals), Ira Elliot (drums), Daniel Lorca (bass, backing vocals) and Louie Lino (keyboards). Nada Surf is currently touring and promoting their tenth studio album, Moon Mirror, released in September 2024. Rolling Stone said “Moon Mirror is one of their best…” calling it “Nada Surf’s most musically and emotionally passionate album in years”. They have only grown more creative and resourceful as time has marched on.
The night started off on a great note. Prior to the show and shortly after the venue doors opened, singer Matthew Caws came out to chat with fans and take pictures. It was a pleasure to met and chat with Matthew, telling him how I’ve followed his band for the last 20 years. Of course, he was happy to hear that. I’ve been going to concerts for a long time and this was the first time I’ve seen a member of the headline band come out before the show and just mingle with his fans at chew the fat on the audience floor. It was cool to see and experience.
Nada Surf kicked off the night with ‘Inside of Love’, from their 2002 ‘Let Go’ album. They played a good portion of songs from their latest album but also covered their older material as well. The crowd had a good showing of Gen-Xers who grew up listening to Nada Surf, but they also brought their kids to the show, creating the next generation of Nada Surf fans.
Set List
Inside of Love
Hi – Speed Soul
In Front of Me Now
Come Get Me
Fruit Fly
Killian’s Red
Intel and Dreams
Losing
Mathilda
Treading Water
Second Skin
Looking For You
New Propeller
See These Bones
Blonde on Blonde
Open Seas
Something I Should Do
Hyperspace
Opening for Nada Surf was the rock band Office Dog from New Zealand. Office Dog is comprised of singer-songwriter guitarist Kane Strang, bassist Rassani Tolovaa and drummer Mitchell Innes. They just release their debut album ‘Spiel’. I’m new to Office Dog but they have an interesting sound. Songs like ‘Big Air’ and ‘Gleam’ have a punk-like hard driving guitar distortions interplaying with rhythmic thumbing bass and spacial drums. They also played slower more melodic songs such as ‘Tighrope’ and ‘Spiel’. Though slower in tempo the songs still delivered a hard thumping vibe.
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