NewDad Cast a Spell Over Halloween at the 3Olympia
By Halloween couldn’t have been a better night for NewDad to headline Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre — perfectly matching their moody, dream-pop aesthetic. Under a wash of blood-red light and dressed in eerie, tongue-in-cheek costumes, the Galway band turned the historic venue into their own haunted house of sound. Over the past year, the band’s ascent has been undeniable, fuelled by the release of their stellar debut album Madra and, more recently, the darkly atmospheric Alter.
As the band’s silhouettes emerged through the haze, the crowd erupted — a sea of fans buzzing with anticipation. Many had dressed for the occasion, turning Dublin’s 3Olympia into a swirling Halloween tableau of ghosts, ghouls, and glitter.
The noise swelled into a euphoric roar as the spotlights pierced the darkness, illuminating lead singer Julie Dawson centre stage in a ghostly white wedding dress. For a moment, the theatre held its breath. Haunting yet magnetic, she stood poised before launching into “Other Side” — a slow-burner that heaves with emotion and tension, the perfect opener for the night.
The setlist drew from Madra and Alter, a seamless blend that states just how far NewDad have come — from woozy bedroom Wistfulness to a sound that feels bigger, bolder, and more assured. Hearing the songs live gave them new power, the walls of the 3Olympia pulsing with every chord. Julie Dawson’s vocals on “Pretty” were a haunting highlight — a soft whisper that carried real weight, tender yet utterly commanding.
The highlight for me was hearing “Sickly Sweet” live — there’s something irresistibly catchy about it, a hook that drags you in and makes it impossible not to sing along. But honestly — the night was packed with bangers. “Entertainer” hit with a cheeky, irresistible swagger, “Heavyweight” thumped through the room like a heartbeat, and, of course, the utterly delightful “Puzzle” turned the crowd into one rapt, swaying mass. Each track felt alive, amplified by the 3Olympia’s historic walls, and it was impossible not to get swept up in the sheer joy and chaos of it all.
The band even managed to throw in a playful twist, slipping into quick wardrobe changes to become the characters from Shek — a small, simple move that somehow felt utterly magical. They closed the night with a raucous encore, blending two unexpected covers, Smash Mouth’s “All Star” and Eels’ “My Beloved Monster,” with two of their own tracks, “Angle” and “Roobosh,” leaving the crowd in awe of something truly special.
Verdict
After a gig like this, it’s easy to see why NewDad are one of the most talked-about bands around. The songs are killer, but live they’re something else — raw, immediate, and utterly unforgettable.
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Opening Act
Cardinals set the tone for the night, almost ghostlike amid swirling smoke and red lighting. Their faces, painted for Halloween, flickered in and out of view as they delivered a taut, commanding performance that demanded respect.
Kicking off with the punchy guitars of “Twist And Turn,” the set flowed through the driving rhythms of “Roseland” and the utterly captivating ballad “If I Could Make You Care,” where the gentle hiss of the accordion added a thoughtful, delicate layer. Moments like this made it impossible not to love this band.