Nada Surf + Office Dog @ Studio TD

One of the pre-gig decisions to make, given the spiralling cost of parking in downtown Montreal, is whether the opening band is worth the expense. A quick listen to New Zealand’s Office Dog tells me it will be (frontman Kane Strang seems to appreciate my confidence as much after their set!). Vocally, the band sits somewhere between the shoegaze of Hovvdy and the deadpan of Cola, with Thom Yorke-esque wails on “Tunnels.” Their diverse sound resonates well with the hefty crowd that arrives at Le Studio TD early. It’s their first time ever playing in Canada, but you’d never guess it, judging by the crowd’s reaction; it sounds like they’ve been following the band for ages!

Keyboardist Violet Hirst brings angelic harmonies to tracks like “Nancy,” “Warmer,” and “In the Red,” adding a touch of variety to the set. They wrap up their 35-minute performance with a storming version of “Big Air,” complete with a stomping drum beat reminiscent of The Subways’ “Oh Yeah” (niche reference of the day, right there!). I rarely buy merch at shows these days, so the fact that I immediately rush over to grab whatever vinyl they have (only their new EP, Doggerland, is available, but I’ll take it!) says a lot about how good they were. Kane assures me they plan to return in 2025; be ready, Montreal! You don’t want to miss them.

Office Dog Setlist
Gleam
Antidote
Tunnels
Another Time
Nancy
Warmer
Trot
In the Red
Big Air

It’s impressive to see how big a crowd Nada Surf can still draw, 10 albums and over 30 years into their career. Even the balcony of Le Studio TD is open, which almost never happens at the shows I usually attend here! And it’s easy to see why. Across a two-hour set, you’re reminded of just how many great songs they’ve amassed over the years. So many, in fact, that they can afford to open with one of their most famous tracks, “Inside of Love!” Frontman Matt Caws seems aware of the statement he’s making, flashing a wry smile before launching into that classic riff.

The set draws from across their discography, but leans heavily on 2002’s Let Go and their new album, 2024’s Moon Mirror, the latter of which, as it turns out, was produced by the guy mixing the show tonight! “Hi-Speed Soul” is furious – so furious that drummer Ira Elliot knocks his snare drum off mid-song, frantically reconstructing his kit while the band soldiers on. “Killian’s Red” remains wonderfully mysterious under the dim red stage lights, and “Blonde on Blonde” is an undeniable highlight, drawing a massive singalong. I try the Bell Centre trick of turning on my cellphone light and waving it, but it’s a solo effort; nobody joins in. Still, Matt gives me an appreciative smile, and that’s all the validation I need!

For a Nada Surf show, the crowd is pretty raucous in places. A core group at the front pogo through “Treading Water,” “Hyperspace,” and the anthemic “Always Love” – not songs typically associated with mosh pits, but they make it work! “Blankest Year” comes earlier than on previous tours, just four songs in. According to Matt, “we wanted to get the party started early!” Mission accomplished, judging by the crowd shouting the “F*** IT!” chorus in unison. Special shoutout to bassist Ed Valauskas, filling in for regular player Daniel Lorca. He fits right in, especially on the mammoth “See These Bones.”

After the main set wraps up, an especially loud chorus of olé’s summons the band back on stage. The unmistakable riff of “Popular” brings the crowd to another level, and it’s incredible to watch Matt blaze through those spoken-word verses while nailing the guitar parts. The show closes with a magical rendition of “Blizzard of ’77,” with the band gathered at the front of the stage, using only Matt’s unplugged acoustic guitar. With unmic’d vocals and a room full of angelic voices singing along, it creates a campfire vibe that sends everyone home with chills.

A truly wonderful show from a truly wonderful band.

Nada Surf Setlist
Inside of Love
Hi-Speed Soul
In Front of Me Now
Blankest Year
Friend Hospital
Fruit Fly
Killian’s Red
Intel and Dreams
Come Get Me
Losing
Treading Water
Mathilda
Zen Brain
Second Skin
Looking for You
New Propeller
See These Bones
Blonde on Blonde
Open Seas
Something I Should Do
Hyperspace

Encore
Popular
Always Love
Blizzard of ’77

Review – Simon Williams
Photos – Michelle Andrews

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