Concert Reviews

Surf Curse’s Vegas show was all about belonging, costumes and Elvis

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Surf Curse guitarist Noah Kholl at Area15’s Portal
Photo: Gabrielle Davila Ortiz / Courtesy

There were plenty of parties and events to choose from in Las Vegas this Halloween weekend past, but the indie rock fans chose to turn out for Surf Curse.

The Reno-founded band played a sold out show at the Portal inside Area15 on October 30, kicking off their North America tour. The holiday lent the show a special element as young people showed up in their Halloween costumes. There were cats, devils, anime characters and cowboys, who were perhaps inspired by the band’s song “Midnight Cowboys”). One group of fans even dressed up as Dorothy and the gang from The Wizard of Oz, echoing Surf Curse’s Oz-themed Coachella getup.

The band members were in Halloween spirit as well: Each of them dressed as a different version of Elvis. Lead singer and drummer Nick Rattigan introduced guitarist Jacob Rubeck as “Classic Vegas Elvis,” garbed in the famous white jumpsuit. Guitarist Noah Kholl was “Jailhouse Rock Elvis,” in a striped shirt and denim jacket. And bassist Henry Dillon, in a Hawaiian shirt, represented a “a very obscure Elvis,” Rattigan said. “He is Blue Hawaii Elvis. I want you guys to Google it when you get home.”

For his own part, Rattigan described his glittering black button-down ad “generally Elvis."

Even though the band's latest album, Magic Hour, was released only weeks ago, the crowd sang along with its lead single "Sugar." Several songs from the band’s four studio albums, and from its 2015 Sad Boys EP, rounded out the setlist. But it was their 2013 song “Freaks,” which found new popularity on TikTok last year, that brought out the cellphones and united the crowd in lamentation over being a misfit. “I am just a freak,” they shouted in unison, jumping up and down. The band closed out the set with a performance of the 2019 single “Disco,” which has people moshing wildly and joyfully. 

Throughout the night, band members spoke to people in the crowd as if befriending each one individually. They ask what high schools they attended and which parts of the Valley they lived in.

“Sorry, you guys, we love to talk,” Rattigan said.

Their chats, costumes and, most importantly, their music showcase how goofy Surf Curse can be. Taken as a whole, it seems to give their fanbase the permission to also be themselves. Halloween or not, this crowd would probably have been decked out in costumes, just like the band.

The show was sold out, but it wasn't overly packed. Area15's Portal proved just the right size to create the intimate atmosphere while accommodate the band's devoted fans. I expected not to have my own space, but there was plenty of room for people to spread out. Though, I imagine, there were many more costumed fans that would’ve liked to have scored tickets.

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