Surf Curse is an American indie rock duo consisting of musicians Nick Rattigan and Jacob Rubeck. Originally hailing from Reno, Nevada, the duo formed in 2013 and has since gained a significant following with their unique blend of lo-fi surf and garage rock sounds. One of the key elements of Surf Curse's live performances is their distinct stage set. The band's stage setup reflects their DIY ethos and adds to the overall energy and mood of their shows. The stage is usually adorned with various props and decorations that capture the essence of Surf Curse's music. Vintage surfboards, neon lights, and palm tree cutouts are often used to create a beachy, retro atmosphere.
At 8 p.m., Toner ascended the stage and was greeted by cheering fans. Describing their sound as “melodic” and “influenced by punk,” lead singer and bassist, Samuelito Cruz said, “This is the biggest tour we’ve ever got offered to do. Every night is going to be something different, but we’re just rolling with it.”
Jacob over here is classic Vegas Elvis, we have Noah and he s Jailhouse Rock Elvis, Henry is a very obscure blue Hawaii Elvis and I m generally Elvis Rattigan said in his best Elvis voice to the audience. There was a bit of banter here and there between the members, but before we knew it, Nick Rattigan, drummer and lead vocalist also the face of Current Joys , started off the night with All Is Lost , the perfect song to begin their set with.
Vintage surfboards, neon lights, and palm tree cutouts are often used to create a beachy, retro atmosphere. This visual aesthetic complements their music perfectly and transports the audience to a sunny, nostalgic world. The stage set is not only visually appealing, but it also helps to create a sense of intimacy between the band and the audience.
Surf Curse brought the magic to Las Vegas
Surf Curse headlined a sold-out show for all ages at The Portal inside Area15 to end Halloween weekend.
The show on Oct. 30 kicked off the band’s North American tour with the support of Oakland, California based band, Toner.
The quartet includes Nick Rattigan (vocals and drums), Jacob Rubeck (vocals and guitar), Noah Kholl (guitar) and Henry Dillon (bass). “Magic Hour,” the band’s fourth studio album, was released on Oct. 7.
Blue and purple lighting with celestial images projected onto the walls of The Portal to set the scene. The DJ booth in the back of the room played music as concert goers strolled in. Many attendees arrived wearing costumes including Lola Bunny from “Looney Tunes,” Maxine Minx from the film “X” and its counterpart “Pearl” from the prequel of the same name. People secured their spot around the stage barricade while they waited for the show to begin.
At 8 p.m., Toner ascended the stage and was greeted by cheering fans. Describing their sound as “melodic” and “influenced by punk,” lead singer and bassist, Samuelito Cruz said, “This is the biggest tour we’ve ever got offered to do. Every night is going to be something different, but we’re just rolling with it.”
Toner energized the crowd with their use of heavy guitar and fast paced music.
“My way is going out and giving it all back to the crowd because they’re the people that deserve it as long as they’re receptive and nice,” Cruz said. “I feed off of their energy, they feed off of mine.”
Surf Curse joined in on the Halloween festivities as each member dressed up as a different version of Elvis. “Jacob over here is classic Vegas Elvis, we have Noah and he’s Jailhouse Rock Elvis, Henry is a very obscure blue Hawaii Elvis and I’m generally Elvis” Rattigan said in his best Elvis voice to the audience.
Once on stage, the crowd went wild as the band opened their set with “Christine F”, a song from their “Nothing Yet” album. People of all ages could be seen jumping and singing along to the music, some sat on the shoulders of whom they came with to get a better view of the band.
Surf Curse formed in Reno, Nevada, though they now reside in California. Rubeck described Las Vegas as, “our home away from home.”
The band broke the barrier between artist and fan by engaging in conversations with the audience, asking questions like what area they come from. As they descended the list, the volume of the cheers determined their answer. Rattigan asked, “Anybody here go to Green Valley High School? Me too.”
Photographer and concert attendee Adrian Pinto said, “My favorite part about the show was watching how much energy the crowd had, and how Surf Curse interacted with the crowd.”
One fan threw a shirt onto the stage. As the band finished one song and transitioned to the next, Rubeck took a moment to give a piece of advice.
“If you love living here I’m happy for you,” said Rubeck, “but if you ever want to leave don’t think it’s not an option to go. Maybe you need to come back, maybe you don’t, but this song’s for you no matter who you are.”
An upbeat guitar accompanied by a catchy drum rhythm introduced “Midnight Cowboy” from the album “Heaven Surrounds You.” Fans bopped their heads to the beat and danced along.
“Sugar” was requested by screaming fans, it began at a steady pace and gradually picked up in speed and intensity. It set the tone needed for the performance of “Freaks” from the band’s debut album, “Buds.” Red lighting and fast moving spotlights helped energize the crowd which broke out into head-banging, crowd surfing and a mosh-pit.
After the performance, Surf Curse exited the stage.
As the crowd chanted “one more song” in unison, the band huddled together and, after a moment of contemplation, re-entered the stage. Rattigan teased, “one more song, how about two more songs!”
The band followed up with “I’m Not Making Out With You” from the “Sad Boys” EP. Surf Curse closed the show with the 2019 single, “Disco.” Rattigan and Kholl banged on the drums together to bring the show to an invigorating conclusion.
Fans stuck around the venue to buy merchandise in a line that went from one end of the room to the other. Members of both Surf Curse and Toner hung around to talk to fans and take pictures with them.
Surf Curse will be performing up until December across the U.S. To find out more about the band and purchase tickets, readers can visit the band’s website.
“If you love living here I’m happy for you,” said Rubeck, “but if you ever want to leave don’t think it’s not an option to go. Maybe you need to come back, maybe you don’t, but this song’s for you no matter who you are.”
The props and decorations act as a physical barrier that separates the performers from the crowd, but at the same time, they create a shared space where everyone can escape reality and immerse themselves in the music. In addition to the props, Surf Curse also incorporates dynamic lighting and visual effects into their stage set. Strobe lights, colorful projections, and fog machines are used to enhance the atmospheric quality of their performances. These visual elements work in tandem with the music to create a multi-sensory experience that adds depth and complexity to their live shows. Overall, Surf Curse's stage set is an integral part of their live performances. It not only enhances the visual aesthetics of their shows but also helps to create a unique atmosphere that transports the audience to a different time and place. The attention to detail and DIY approach to their stage setup perfectly aligns with their music and adds an extra layer of authenticity to their performances..
Reviews for "The Lifeblood of a Concert: The Importance of Lighting Effects in Surf Curse's Stage Set"
1. Emily - 1 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with Surf curse's stage set. It felt like they put no effort into creating an engaging and visually appealing experience for the audience. The backdrop was just a plain black curtain, and there were no interesting props or lighting effects to enhance the performance. It made the whole show feel boring and lackluster. I expected more from a band with such a dedicated fan base.
2. David - 2 out of 5 stars - The stage set for Surf curse's performance was quite underwhelming. It was evident that they hadn't put much thought or creativity into it. The band members just stood in their usual spots without any additional visual elements to enhance the performance. It felt like they were going through the motions rather than delivering a dynamic and memorable show. Overall, I was left feeling let down and wishing for a more visually stimulating experience.
3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I was not impressed with Surf curse's stage set at all. It was incredibly basic and lacked any sort of visual appeal. The lack of effort in the set design made the whole performance feel less immersive and engaging. It would have been nice to see them experiment with different lighting or even incorporate some props to make it more interesting. The music itself was decent, but the stage setup was definitely a disappointment.
4. Jason - 1 out of 5 stars - The stage set for Surf curse was extremely underwhelming. It was as if they didn't even try to create an atmosphere that complemented their music. The plain black curtain backdrop and lack of any interesting lighting or visual elements made the whole performance feel flat and unexciting. It's a shame because I was really looking forward to seeing them live, but the lackluster stage set definitely left a sour taste in my mouth.
5. Julia - 2 out of 5 stars - The stage set for Surf curse's performance was a letdown. It was clear that little thought and effort went into creating a visually captivating and engaging experience. The lack of props, minimal lighting, and basic backdrop left the performance feeling stale and unexciting. It was a missed opportunity to enhance the audience's connection with the music and create a more memorable experience. I hope they put more thought into their stage set in the future.