Irish shoegaze band NewDad returns to China in 2025 for an expanded tour, bringing their dreamy yet sharp sound to Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Hangzhou, along with a festival appearance in Shenyang. Fresh off their acclaimed EP Safe, the five-piece lineup promises immersive 80-90 minute sets, blending nostalgic haze with bold new growth.

Last year, Irish shoegaze band NewDad made their debut in China, bringing their swirling, reverb-drenched soundscapes and raw, emotive live energy to Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing.

Photography: Shanghai by @Xiyue / Shenzhen by @Ahsan_Lin / Beijing by @Zouzou

Hailing from Galway, this young band carved out a space for themselves in the hearts of Chinese fans with their hazy yet razor-sharp wall of sound, proving that shoegaze’s modern-day allure is alive and well. At the time, they were fresh off the release of their debut album, Madra—youthful, slightly rough around the edges, but undeniably magnetic.

Now, a year later, they return with a brand-new EP, Safe, carrying the same youthful energy but with a newfound sense of clarity and conviction. Their dreamlike soundscapes no longer dwell solely on nostalgia and escape; instead, they stretch outward—confronting, evolving, and pushing forward.

From the Misty Shores of Galway

NewDad formed in the coastal Irish city of Galway, where core members Julie Dawson (vocals/guitar), Sean O’Dowd (guitar), and Fiachra Parslow (drums) met in high school. Even in their late teens, they were drawn to the sonic textures of the ’90s—Slowdive’s dense melancholy, The Cure’s brooding drama, and the ethereal otherworldliness of Cocteau Twins.

But NewDad was never content with mere nostalgia. Instead of simply paying homage, they reimagined those influences through a Gen Z lens—sharpening drum machine rhythms, stripping lyrics down to raw immediacy, and delivering emotions with a shy yet piercing sincerity.

This balance of retro yet fresh quickly propelled them from indie newcomers to regulars on BBC Radio 1 and festival stages worldwide. Their 2023 debut, Madra, cemented their status as one of shoegaze’s most exciting new voices.

Madra: A Roar and a Whisper

Madra captured the cracks and crevices of youth—lyrics written at 18, arrangements brimming with both uncertainty and urgency, songs recorded in just two weeks. That rawness became its strength.

Julie Dawson’s voice drifted like a coastal night breeze—soft but restless. Her lyrics were direct, cutting straight to the heart, while the guitars oscillated between dreamy haze and jagged noise. Tracks like Say It (a struggle to articulate desire), Angel (a cool dissection of emotional turbulence), and White Ribbons (the ghost of memories that won’t fade) proved they weren’t just making music—they were speaking truths.

And Chinese audiences responded in kind. Their Shanghai show, nearly sold-out with a thousand-strong crowd, became a highlight of their Asia tour. The dream became real; the soundwaves, tangible.

Safe: Finding Footing in the Chaos

"These songs were written in London. They’re about navigating the city, the music industry, and trying not to lose ourselves. We cherish them, and we hope you will too."

—NewDad on Safe

This EP marks a shift—from Galway’s quiet mist to London’s relentless pace. It’s a record about adaptation, resistance, and self-preservation.

Julie admits: "I realized I couldn’t keep being a people-pleaser. In music, you have to trust your instincts." Moving to London brought idealism ("We thought we’d just live off music, that it’d all be fun and easy") but also pressure. Those struggles seep into Safe—a chronicle of shedding naivety and finding strength.

Musically, the shoegaze fog remains, but it’s sculpted with sharper edges. Opener Entertainer layers warm synths over jagged guitars, Julie’s voice half-murmuring like a late-night confession. The title track Safe balances intricate instrumentation with newfound restraint, while Puzzle (inspired by Norman Mailer’s The Executioner’s Song) twists grunge into a dizzying waltz. Closer Be Kind strips everything back—just voice and sparse strings, proving that quiet can hit harder than noise.

This isn’t a safe record—it’s a deliberate risk. A band growing up, trading hiding places for bold steps forward.

The Dream Goes On, the Steps Grow Steadier

Safe also marks a production shift. NewDad parted ways with longtime collaborator Chris W Ryan, teaming up instead with 26-year-old wunderkind Sam Breathwick (aka Shrink). Known for blending IDM, ambient, trip-hop, and post-rock, Shrink helped refine their sound—resulting in an EP recorded in just weeks at London’s Decoy Studios, tighter and more deliberate than ever.

The growth is undeniable. From Madra’s raw beginnings to Safe’s polished confidence, NewDad has evolved from a promising indie act into a band ready for bigger stages. Their nomination for Album of the Year at Ireland’s Choice Music Awards was proof—they’re no longer underdogs, but standard-bearers for a new wave.

With their second album already in the works, Julie hints: "It’s another leap. We sound surer of ourselves now."

But before that—they’re coming back to China. Fresh off a Fuji Rock invite, NewDad’s 2025 tour expands to Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and a festival slot in Shenyang alongside returning stops in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. (Good news for those who missed out last year: bigger venues, more dates.) One key upgrade? The full five-member lineup, delivering 80-90 minute sets packed with old favorites and new revelations.

See you in the crowd.

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