Nation of Language at Brooklyn Steel (photo by Kevin McGann)

 

Nation of Language brought their 80’s infused synth pop goodness to Brooklyn Steel last week for a fun night of music that included fellow New Yorkers, Gustaf. Between the open uncluttered setup and Steel’s wide stage, it really let NOL’s lead vocalist Richard Devaney take advantage of the space and dance his way through their growing catalog of alt dance pop gems. Bookended by Aidan Noell (synths) on stage right and Alex MacKay (bass) on the left, Devaney led the trio through a tight set that featured songs from their brilliant 2020 debut, Introduction, Presence, to their sophomore album, A Way Forward, to tracks from their upcoming third album, Strange Disciple, to be released this September.  

 

Opening the night was another group of Brooklyn faves, the art punk band Gustaf. With their unconventional style, and singer Lydia Gammill’s distinctive talk-sing style, their music is as creative and unpredictable as the Café Bustelo coffee can co-vocalist Tarra Theissen uses for percussion. Ever since their inception, and especially since the release of their debut album Audio Drag for Ego Slobs, the NYC quintet has been generating buzz around their live show, which is a propulsive, rhythmic, dramatic representation of their music. Last Friday’s show was no exception and the NOL crowd was loving every finger lickin’ rubber chicken moment of it.

 

Scroll down for setlist, pics of the show (photos by Kevin McGann)

 

Setlist: On Division St., Weak In Your Light, A Different Kind of Life, This Fractured Mind, From The Hill, Automobile, Stumbling Still, The Grey Commute, September Again, Tournament, Too Much Enough, Wounds of Love, Sole Obsession Encore: Former Self, Across That Fine Line, The Wall and I

 

GUSTAF

 

NATION OF LANGUAGE