New Dad

The Low-L Punk rock and hardcore music festival is a DIY non-profit 3 day event that takes place in Piacenza, a town in northern Italy. Indeed this is the setting for the first Italian gig by the Galway based band, New Dad.
The setup involves two stages, a main one and a smaller one, with bands alternating between the two, so punters just drift from one stage to another. The very fact that New Dad, a band, who’s roots are closer to the “dark”, alternative 80’s & 90’s indie rock bands, are playing at this festival means that punk/ hardcore is a fairly broad description! It’s a pretty mixed bunch of gals and guys in attendance, but one senses a good vibe present amongst the throng . Last year Bad Nerves headlined, a band who have grabbed much attention this year, so it seems the festival has quite a habit of getting bands ahead of the curve which spells well for Friday headliners, New Dad. As it happens they will be at playing the Woodsies stage at Glastonbury at the end of the month which makes this quite a coup, so hats off to the organisers.
Before tonight’s headliners, on the small stage a French band called Sport, apparently on a reunion tour that takes them all over Europe, hit the stage with a bang. Having played and recorded together from 2010 through to 2019, they have reformed and have a new album in the pipeline too. It is quite clear that they are a band who gel marvellously live; so tight, with lots of time signature changes, quirky melodic guitar runs, some neat and purposeful shredding and a drum and bass combo full of riffs and fills reminiscent of The Police in the early days. I was truly blown away and the crowd were surfing and jumping around; some fans, some first time devotees. Check them out on whatever streamline service gets your goat .
New Dad hit the stage at about ten past midnight and though the crowd has thinned out a bit, it’ll make no difference to the band who must be loving this stage of their career where everything is new and a delight.

They open up with “Drown” from the 2021 EP “Waves” and immediately the appealing charisma of Julie Dawson singer/ guitarist shines through. Shyness would not be quite right but her posture and attitude suggests a sort of friendly restraint as is the want of shoegaze bands let’s say. Nothing bombastic or flamboyant in her demeanour, but she always has a big smile for you at the song’s end and is generally just very sweet. Next to Julie, Cara Joshi is however, immediately on her front foot, banging away on her big bloody bass guitar, responsible for the band’s rhythmic punch, a sound, to my ears, veering towards first album Editors or Nirvana. Fiachra Parslow on drums and guitarist/ producer Sean O'Dowd complete the setup.
The crowd seem rather unfamiliar with the set but remain packed in-front of the stage and if not exactly jubilant, they are attentive and enthusiastic enough. Certain songs shine however and maybe it’s just because confidence and creative looseness pick up but they are in the latter half of the set. ‘Where I Go’ is just a great song and Julie really seems involved in the song helping to lift the band from this point on. ‘Sickly Sweet’ is a hit single if I ever heard one; some Garbage overtones that appeal immensely. “I Don't Recognize You" is their ode to the Pixies song and it’s a winner. Covering “Just Like Heaven” will always please and it’s a fun moment for the band who can just revel in the gorgeousness of the song. “Madra “ the title track of the newly released album is my own personal favourite. Lyrically it is captivating creating an unsettling atmosphere of melancholy and isolation and yet, such songs strangely always work well amongst a crowd as if the phrase “No, I can’t blame anyone, and I’m low” works as a common bonding ground. It is a step up in songwriting and intent with the music deftly propping up the lyrics. Closing the set with their first single “How”, it’s now gone 1am in the morning but it’s been a great night for sure. Go check out New Dad’s afternoon Glastonbury slot if you are lucky enough to be at the bestest of festivals as It will be both heartwarming and a pleasant surprise for you as you sup your cider.