As the trees sway and the light fixes itself upon the stage and the nature surrounding it, the first cords are struck and the world swirls in kaleidoscope fashion. The first chords are struck by Neil Halstead (vocals, guitar) and the song “shanty” begins. A song off their latest LP, released in 2023, “everything is alive”. A song depicting a sense of longing and anticipation of something new, whether it’s romantic, platonic or simply a spark of inspiration to continue whatever journey you’re currently set on.
It’s May 14, 2025 and the dream-like shoegaze band, Slowdive, graced the Cuthbert Amphitheater stage with their floaty presence. Quickly, people moved from the lawn to the crowd that was forming as the band began. Oscillating bodies littered the pit, people of all ages: couples who grew up listening to the band and new lovers who found themselves entranced with the band in their young age.
As the sun began to settle into the horizon, Slowdive whisked the crowd into a nostalgic and ethereal journey through their discography. Playing an even spread of their early 90’s releases and their most recent tracks. In between songs, soft thank you’s from the multitalented Rachel Goswell (vocal, guitar, keyboard) cooed the crowd as the band settled into the following song. The lights on stage began to shine brighter as the sky darkened and bled into the foliage. The sight was a watercolor mural that found harmony between shadowy figures and the lush vegetation. Their performance mirrored their studio tracks in a way that felt unearthly– finding a way to amplify the music’s meanings and feelings beyond what can be depicted through a stereo. Inspiring individuals sprawled on the lawn to begin to stand and twirl as the show progressed. Meanwhile others simply lied in the grass savoring the whimsy atmosphere.
As though they were saving their more popular songs like “Sugar for the Pill” and “Alison” for dessert, the band began to sing their iconic tracks as the show neared its end. Songs about the trials and tribulations of relationships, signifying the bittersweet end to a hypnotic night. The band came out for one encore to perform songs like “Dagger” and “40 Days”, another set of tracks that have the ability to leave you feeling empty like a memory you hadn’t thought of in a very long time.
All things must come to an end, whether it’s a relationship, an event or a song, and Slowdive has the unique ability to leave you satisfied yet yearning for more. Getting lost into the foliage with Slowdive was an experience that felt necessary, like the turning of a page. On to the next.
