SLOWDIVE / QUANNNIC – LIVE AT COLLEGE STREET MUSIC HALL
By Mia Palazzo
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Slowdive brought their ethereal shoegaze mastery to College Street Music Hall on their current U.S. tour, joined by the rising artist Quannnic. The night was a mesmerizing journey through cascading guitars, hazy lighting, and a crowd fully immersed in the swelling waves of sound.
Opening the night, Quannnic set the tone with an atmospheric performance that blurred the lines between shoegaze, emo, and electronic influences. Backed by deep blue and purple lighting that seemed to swirl in slow motion, the 19-year-old artist crafted an immersive experience, beginning with the brooding “Defense” and drifting through a setlist that included fan-favorites like “Snarky,” “Comatose,” and “Life Imitates Life.” Each song carried an emotional weight that resonated with the audience, as Quannnic’s soft yet commanding vocals wove seamlessly into the layers of lush instrumentation.
Quannnic, who initially gained traction in the digicore scene before pivoting to more rock-driven textures, played with an intimate intensity that resonated with the audience. The set’s dreamlike pacing, accentuated by the slow build of songs like “Sheets” and the cryptic allure of unreleased material, captivated the crowd. Though the performance was relatively minimal in terms of movement, the sheer depth of sound and emotion made up for it. By the time they closed with “Soil” and “Life Imitates Life,” Quannnic had successfully captured the attention of many fans in the crowd and proved they are a band to watch out for.
Slowdive
Slowdive took the stage under dim, moody lighting, bathed in just enough haze to make the entire room feel like a lucid dream. The legendary shoegaze pioneers opened with “Shanty,” immediately drawing the audience into their signature sound—layered guitars, reverberating vocals, and an enveloping warmth that felt both nostalgic and fresh. Every note seemed carefully crafted, blending seamlessly into the next, creating a soundscape that felt as though it could go on forever.
The setlist spanned their decades-long career, seamlessly weaving classics like “Catch the Breeze” and “Alison” with newer material from their 2023 album Everything Is Alive. While the band members remained largely stationary, their presence was anything but static. Vocalist Rachel Goswell often locked eyes with fans, offering gentle smiles and subtle nods that created an intimate connection despite the vastness of their sound.
Highlights included the euphoric “Souvlaki,” where shimmering guitar lines washed over the crowd, and “When the Sun Hits,” which elicited a massive reaction from longtime fans. The immersive backdrop, which pulsed and shifted with the music, only deepened the hypnotic nature of the performance. Closing with the hauntingly beautiful “Dagger,” Slowdive left the crowd in a dreamlike haze, their final notes lingering long after the band had exited the stage.
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