1082 NADA SURF, Bristol Fleece, Friday 20th April 2018

Having seen “live” favourites, New York’s Nada Surf, a couple of times in the last 2 years (a superlative Electric Ballroom show in support of most recent album “You Know Who You Are” in 2016, followed by their headline slot on the ACLU Benefit show in a chilly Boston last March) I knew that they were in rare form, even by their own stratospherically high standards. So when I heard they were touring the 15th Anniversary of their “breakthrough” 2002 album “Let Go”, I could but hope there would be at least one such show this side of the pond, even if it were London again (where Nada Surf UK shows had been pretty much confined to, over the last 3 or 4 album tour cycles). So a Friday night gig at the eminently accessible (even with the wanky new Bristol City Centre road layout…!) Bristol Fleece? Hell yeah!

Pounced on tix immediately when they went on sale, and, having researched the format of these shows (2 sets, no support; “Let Go” in its entirety for set 1 and a second, hour-long set of other stuff to follow) Rach and I headed off early, taking the now-customary and thankfully very quiet back route to the Fleece and nearly taking out Nada Surf frontman Matthew Caws as he crossed the road in front of us! Luckily, he seemed not to notice... that would’ve been a gig fail of epic proportions! Parked up, grabbed a spot down the front and chatted away the time to ‘da Surf's prompt arrival at 7.45, Matthew immediately strumming the acoustic opener “Blizzard Of 77” for the hushed crowd to communally sing along.

Whilst “Let Go” might not be my favourite Nada Surf album (still a big fan of their sophomore effort “The Proximity Effect”, and actually, aren’t their last 2 utter corkers as well!?), I confess it marked a sea change in their output, the moment when their initially overtly tortured and angry strumalong US college-pop influenced oeuvre became less frantic, fractured and angsty, developing into a more varied, irresistibly melodic and harmonic and (dare I say) “mature” sound. So whilst rockers like the Cheap Trick-referencing “Way You Wear Your Head”, the breathless and tumbling “Happy Kid” and gloriously soaring and hooky “No Quick Fix” still sparkled with youthful amphetamine pace and vim, the likes of the austere and frankly lovely “Blonde On Blonde”, the eerie, hypnotic circular riff of the red spotlight back-lit “Killian's Red” and melancholic wallow of “Paper Boats” (featuring a lyrical snippet of The Bunnymen's “Ocean Rain” from Matthew in its’ building denouement) demonstrated that greater depth, providing light and shade to the set. Also, quite apart from their almost telepathic musical understanding, all 3 Surf dudes were good form too, Matt recounting, “we were here [at The Fleece] once before and then we opened for The Vines [in Bristol]... Academy, that's right...!”, dreadlocked monolith bassist Daniel suggesting it felt a bit weird to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of their 3rd album (“maybe we’ll play the 3rd Anniversary of our 15th!”), and elastic-limbed drummer Ira, on hearing a “good work!” shout from some wag down the front (OK, it was me...!) following his energetic, propulsive breaks during “Happy Kid”, replied dryly, “thanks Mum!”

The first set flew by, an object lesson in precision and musicianship. The boys then took a bow and a brief recess, and Rach and I chatted with Julian, a fellow Surf devotee with whom I’d rubbed shoulders on the barriers at that Electric Ballroom show. Quickly the band took the stage again, the second set proving to be a run-through of old favourites and some lesser-played curveballs for good measure. Kicking off with the rousing clarion call of “Imaginary Friends”, through the terrific, off- kilter stomp of “Teenage Dreams” and the squalling drama of oldie “Firecracker”, this was a set for the connoisseur, brilliantly delivered, with Matthew keeping lengthy eye contact with the front rows throughout, again making us all feel each song was a personal gift. Some more so than others, indeed; one enthusiastic fellow punter interrupted one of Matthew’s intros, and was immediately rewarded with an impromptu (and almost slightly embarrassed!) rendition of the throwaway but funny “Meow Meow Lullaby”!

Oldie “Stalemate” featured a couple of reverential verses of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart” and an unexpected “Amateur” was an introspective yet strident highlight; however set closer “See These Bones” even topped that, the hushed opening building to a circular and absorbing climax hook, building like steam to its conclusion. A pretty damn near perfect end to the set, although final encore “Blankest Year” with its flippant “fuck it” party hook and 2 false finishes sent us home in an upbeat party mood.

Well, I say “home”, but not before a signed set-list and quick chat with the predictably besieged Matthew at the merch stand (who, laudably, announced at the end that he’d be there afterward to sign stuff, and went straight there from the stage). Offered congrats to this most affable of men on his recent new arrival, before achily heading off for a nonetheless early 11 pm return home, reflecting on the night’s events. This was a stellar performance by a band who, for me, currently have very few peers both “live” and on record (indeed, across the aggregate, perhaps only The Hold Steady, who of course are a far more raw and visceral proposition, the ragged flipside to Nada Surf’s melodic precision). Simply tremendous stuff from a very special band, and a real celebration of “Let Go”. Even my high expectations were exceeded!