LIVE REPORT: NewDad take Workman’s by storm with their first Dublin gig

NewDad burst onto the scene in 2020 and seem ready to take over. Off the back of the release of their acclaimed debut EP Waves, the indie group have solidified themselves as one of Ireland’s most exciting bands. Their first Dublin show in Workman’s on Thursday night (November 11) exemplified why their star continues to rise.

Workman’s was bubbling with the relaxing calm of your local pub ahead of NewDad’s debut show in the capital. Friends were catching up over pints in the red haze illuminating the venue. A small crowd group at the foot stage, huddling together to get the best view of the night’s main event.

The Magazine Club opened for the Galway outfit and showcased their brand of dream-pop to the crowd. Combining dreamy guitars, a gently buzzing bass and frontwoman Cathy Leahy’s inimitable vocal style — the four piece delivered a captivating performance.

The Magazine Club flitted between melancholy and angst as they performed ‘Happy Alone,’ ‘Tough’ and ‘Moonlight.’ The Dublin-based band’s closing number was the highlight of their set.

It was a dissonant and atmospheric track brought to life by lead guitarist Shayne English’s riff. The song ended after a wobbling off-kilter rhythm entranced the crowed as every member of the band seemed to ricochet off each other.

After a brief interlude, NewDad took centre stage to cheers from the crowd who were bristling with anticipation. Opening with ‘Drown,’ drummer Fiachra Parslow brought the song up a notch with his thumping intro and superb stickwork on the hi-hats. Julie Dawson’s vocals were ethereal as she delivered each striking melody.

The indie stars then previewed their unreleased song ‘Banshee’ which Dawson revealed will be on their second EP. NewDad were in sync and showed great chemistry as they seemed to share inside jokes without a word.

As bassist Áindle O’Beirn sipped a Capri-Sun between songs, the Galway band went from strength to strength with each number. NewDad played some of their acclaimed singles including ‘Blue,’ a cover of Pixies ‘Gigantic’ and their latest single ‘Ladybird.’

“Gor Crazy For This,” said Dawson before the group launched into ‘Slowly,’ from their debut EP Waves. Sean O’Dowd’s guitar was glistening and sweet, creating the group’s trademark sound as the singer came into her own on this number. She grabbed the mic and injected some attitude into her delivery.

NewDad performed their biggest hit to date — ‘I Don’t Recognise You’ — and got their biggest reaction of the night. They bobbed their heads along as O’Beirn’s bouncing bass mingled with Dawson’s dreamy vocals. She spun the mic around to the crowd as they sang back the lyrics.

The quartet showed off their deft melodic hand with the rest of their set which included their debut single ‘How.’ After an hour’s entertainment, the group played their final song and left the stage.

Cries of “one more tune” rang around the venue but it wasn’t to be. Sometimes it’s better to leave them wanting more and it seems all Irish music fans want more NewDad. It looks like a new EP is on the way and hopefully we won’t have to wait too long.

Listen to Waves below.

An earlier version of this live review mistakenly used a photo by Ruth Medjber.
You can see Ruth's photos on her twitter.