Live Review: NewDad deliver silky smooth show at The Grand Social

Galway band NewDad took their talents to the Dublin stage last night, playing an incredible show, and displaying an array of exciting new songs. Playing in The Grand Social in Dublin, a venue they look to have outgrown in the last year, the four piece played a 15-song set to an adoring sold out crowd.

Currently recording their debut album in the iconic Rockfield Studios, the band are set to continue their exponential growth this year and beyond. Having previously supported the likes of Paolo Nutini, Inhaler and Fontaines D.C, it’s high time their talent rewarded them a headline gig, and last night’s was by all accounts an exceptional one.

NewDad were supported by Cork outfit The Cardinals, who impressed the early Dublin crowd with heavy strings and drums. Giving echoes of their Irish neighbours The Murder Capital, the band’s set was short but sweet, and doubtless earned them a few fans.

Cardinals supporting NewDad at The Grand Social on May 24th, 2023. Copyright Tina Ackermann/ hotpress.com

If you’ve never been to the Grand Social, I warn you, finding the stage is not for the faint of heart. Even having been there multiple times, it’s as much an exercise for the brain as it is for the legs. Once you’ve gone down enough dark corridors and up enough stairs, you’ll eventually arrive at a cute little smoking area where you’ll find gig goers chugging a quick pint from a plastic glass before heading into the main room.

The stage room itself, with its weird colourful tented roof, is dark and humid. Last night, it played host to a group with an exceptionally high number of nicotine addicts (Not the band, their audience). Like rats fleeing a sinking ship, the main stage emptied after The Cardinals finished their support set, so their listeners could get in another puff before the main event. John Player and Watermelon vape were flavour of the month on Liffey Street last night.

NewDad at The Grand Social on May 24th, 2023. Copyright Tina Ackermann/ hotpress.com

NewDad are the perfect flagship band for this generation and their music. The band are young Ireland’s finest, blending elements from old dogs like The Cure and Pixies, with new emerging voices like Beabadoobee or Wolf Alice. Having released EP’s Waves, in 2021, and Banshee last year, this year’s new album is set to take the industry by storm.

Their 15-song set last night included six new songs, five of which are yet to be released. Back to front, the band is a well oiled machine. Lead Guitar Sean bounced around the stage for an hour, with killer riff after killer riff. In double denim and an outrageous curly mullet, the kid is as close to Rock 'n' Roll as a Galwegian can get. Fiachra was immense on drums, energetic and dynamic, giving real life to the band’s performance.

The drummer also acted as the band’s primary cheerleader, never missing a chance to excite an already encapsulated crowd. Cara on bass was perhaps the unsung hero of the group. Playing her first ever show with the band in Dublin, despite a few likely nerves, the London-based musician was the coolest person in the building. Lead vocalist and lyricist Julie, who also played rhythmic guitar, was the star of the show. In an era with more and more stand out female lead bands, Julie holds her own as one of Ireland and music’s finest.

NewDad at The Grand Social on May 24th, 2023. Copyright Tina Ackermann/ hotpress.com

They opened the show to bobbing heads and swaying hips with ‘Slowly’, before playing ‘Banshee’. Their second EP’s title track, Julie gave a gorgeous rendition behind her floppy bangs. They followed with ‘Blue’, the single off their first EP. The band gave a brilliant and intimate performance of one of their oldest, and most popular songs.

Julie then introduced a flurry of new songs, one better than the other. They played the yet to be released ‘Angel’, ‘Dream Of Me’, and ‘Change My Mind’. In typical NewDad fashion, they blend groovy hints and Julie’s dreamy vocals with dynamic guitar riffs and percussion. Keep an eye out especially for ‘Change My Mind’, when the band releases their new album.

Another new single ‘Let Go’ came behind ‘Drown’ and ‘Waves’, two songs off of the band’s first EP. ‘Spring’ came sandwiched between two more new songs, ‘Let Go’ and ‘Sickly Sweet’.

‘I Don’t Recognise You’ brought the best reception from the crowd of the night, with the whole room hanging on every word of NewDad’s esteemed tune from their first EP. ‘Say It’ followed ‘I Don’t Recognise You’, and the band had the room at boiling point, before taking a short break before the encore.

The crowd barely had time to find their voices in a rendition of ‘One More Tune’ before the band reemerged to play two more songs. The most highly anticipated song of the performance was their newly released single ‘In My Head’, a brilliant indie rock anthem about a dysfunctional relationship. The whole room seemed to hold its breath as the first few guitar chords were played, releasing a sort of euphoric sensation as the band belted out every note. Their best performance of the night, and no doubt a song the band is immensely proud of, and one crowds are only dying to hear.

NewDad at The Grand Social on May 24th, 2023. Copyright Tina Ackermann/ hotpress.com

Newdad closed the show with ‘How’, one of their first ever singles. A beautiful song, Julie’s silky smooth vocals steered the band home on a brilliant performance.

The rising band's show last night was flawless, with each member well in their groove. The music, the performance, even the impressive light show. They are a band set to take on not only larger venues in the future, but the world.

Check out photos from their gig here, and give them a listen below.