Live Review: Nada Surf - The Spiegeltent

It's been almost a decade since American trio Nada Surf graced our shores, and Brisbane has turned out a sold out crowd in the very special Spiegeltent during its Brisbane Festival visit to welcome them back. Ripping straight into this year's seventh record The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy, Waiting For Something highlights the live addition of guitarist Doug Gilliard of Guided By Voices fame; frontman Matthew Caws looks chuffed to let Gillard take lead whilst drummer Ira Elliot whips through massive drum rolls and chimes in on backing vocals to underline the tidy pop-rock hooks that Nada Surf specialise in. Though their live show tends to be breakneck in speed compared to all but their latest record, dynamic shifts are expertly crafted in tone and flow; Weightless is all crunchy guitar vs quiet interludes, where What Is Your Secret? is moody by way of minor melodies and affecting harmonies. Newbie Teenage Dreams is superb; a combination of Caws' colourful lyric, “Moved to a tear by a subway breakdancer” and the weathered, dreadlocked features of bassist Daniel Lorca adding the backing vocal, “It's never too late for teenage dreams” throws a warm and fuzzy vibe on the stomping rock rhythm. Filling out the sweet solo opening of When I Was Young slowly and strategically, Nada Surf redirect via the dark, post-rock mood of Killian's Red to appease that guy – the drunken, annoying dude in a crowd who won't quit heckling until his favourite song is played – and finish unperturbed with a spine-tingling rendition of 2008's See These Bones.  

An encore of Blankest Year leaves all on a high as Caws' puts out the call of “Oh fuck it!” and the tent responds with “I'm gonna have a party!” in delighted unison. It's been a hell of a show, and those listening carefully enough to Caws' banter know to stick around the merch desk afterwards to be treated to chats with the band and an impromptu performance. The affable frontman covers a further chunk of Nada Surf's impressive 20-year catalogue including Blonde On Blonde, Your Legs Grow and Always Love on acoustic guitar for almost two hours, and as a small handful of fans sing gently with him, a truly beautiful moment is experienced.