03.28.2025: New Translations w/s/g Youth Medium, Clamsterdam, and Ada Setlik @ The Song and Dance

Friday was an electric ecclectic night at The Song and Dance. The show was 4 acts for less than 30 bucks and covered a spectrum from a solo singer/songwriter, halter tops, tropical shirts, trumpets, floor keyboards, and 5-piece bands. At 7 sharp, Ada Setlik got the night started, with just her and her guitar to command the room.

Still a junior at SU, she played a roughly 50/50 mix of originals and covers. Having gotten her start playing a band in high school, she showed no signs of stage fright being on stage solo. Her style is reminiscent of early Taylor Swift, with heartfelt and personal songs and a clear strong voice. She got the night off to a mellow start, offering a soothing transition between the work day that came before and the party yet to come.

Clamsterdam took the stage with a bang, resplendent in crop tops, bedazzled Juicy Couture caps, and other 75% off fashions pulled straight from the early 2000's, and fused with a wry wink. Their sound is a mix of The Strokes and Car Seat Headrest. Their summery, bouncy set roused the crowd and their set brought the first outbreaks of dancing of the night.

New Translations: Singer Oliver Pierce, multi-instrumentalists Isaac Middleton and Andrés Ahogado

In an unexpected twist, the headliners, New Translations, took the stage in penultimate slot of the night, ceding the closing slot to local band Youth Medium. New Translations definitely bring a new twist to familiar sounds. Their vibe is that of chill and sexy party, as if David Bowie, The Killers, and The National formed a supergroup. A dynamic presence on a night of dynamic presences, singer Oliver Pierce made full use of the stage, stalking it like a cat in heat, horseplaying with guitarist Andrés Ahogado, and writhing at the very edge of crowd. And he had the crowd under his spell, everyone was dancing and swaying along like reeds in the wind. While unusual, their trading slots with Youth Medium may have been a wise choice, as Youth Medium brought the peak volumes and tempos of the night.

Youth Medium performed like an Adult Large. The band trades roles song to song and their sound changes in lockstep, varying from song to song from dance-y rock, to heavier grinding rock to points in between and back. Although the crowd had thinned somewhat by they end of their set, the energy displayed by those who remained more than made up for the decreased headcount right up 'til the show closed out around 10:45.