Illinois | Nada Surf, April 13, Trocadero
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Illinois | Nada Surf, April 13, Trocadero
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| photo: Nate Adams |
Illinois were their usual jovial selves. Opening their set with “Oh Asia” from their Revenge of Some Kid EP, the five dudes cruised through a set heavy with old favorites like “Old Saloon,” “Nosebleed,” and “Screendoor.” Lead singer/keyboard player/banjo plucker Chris Archibald was as animated as ever, jumping from keys to strings, playing drums on his beer bottle and grinding up on visibly uncomfortable bass player Martin Hoeger.
The band played a song from their upcoming July release The Return of Kid Catastrophe, a droning number much darker than their usual fare. Can’t help but wonder what that album is going to sound like.
As Nada Surf took the stage, looking old and, in the case of their bass player, terrifying, I decided I’d give them three songs to impress me, or I was out of there. They played two before launching into “Whose Authority,” my favorite track off their ’08 release Lucky. I figured that earned the band at least three more shots.
> Two songs later, while playing “Inside of Love” from Let Go, the band led the crowd in what they described as a “’50s style Motown dance.” I figured that earned them another three songs. Before I knew it, I was having a good time.
It was hard not to like this indie-pop band best known for their one mid-’90s Weezer-esque hit “Popular.” Lead singer and guitarist Matthew Caws has got to be one of the most charming dudes in pop music. His quick tongue, polite demeanor and festive attitude won me over in a matter of minutes. He and the band played a long set, consisting heavily of later, peppier stuff from Lucky and This Weight is a Gift.
It wasn’t until the encore that Nada Surf really brought the house down. Opening with “Blizzard of ’77,” the band fired into older, more rocking classics from their angry ’90s days, most notably the awesome “Hyperspace.”
I left the show with a whole heap of CDs to buy. Best of all, they never played “Popular.” Rock on, Nada Surf.
I'm wondering how I can contact the author of this article, Nate Adams, directly. Please forward him my email address. I'm interested in discussing an article, where he had mentioned a band Saudi Arabia from West Philadelphia. Thank you, Desiree
This Nada Surf take the stage,and looking too old and, in that case of their bass players, terrifying, that they decided to give them three songs to impress me,or as I was out of there. Then they played two before launching into Whose Authority, my favorite track off their 08 release Luckily. I figured that have earned the band at least three more shots for them. ============================================================================ smith Illinois Drug Addiction
Nada Surf rocked through an amazing set that included two new songs, Whose Authority and I Like What You Say which can be found here as part of a live acoustic show. The new material sounds great; Certainly they fit well with the Nada Surf library of music.Nada Surf really brought the fire to this show. Maybe it was because this was the last date of this tour, or maybe because of the great crowd, but they played at a whole new level. Every transition was sharp. Matthews voice sounded better then I've ever heard. They were clearly having a good time on stage. ----------------------------- jennifer Illinois Alcohol Addiction Treatment
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