By Lisa Hagen Glynn

Nation of Language played the Paramount Theatre on October 13, 2024. The Brooklyn synth-pop trio included Ian Richard Devaney (lead vocals, guitar), Aidan Noell (synth, vocals), and Alex MacKay (bass).

Nation of Language had a pronounced 1980s sound, characterized by peppy major tunes, catchy arpeggiated synth lines, new-wave bass lines, and perpetual drum-machine grooves. Devaney bowed and belted, disappearing into thick fog and popping up elsewhere on the vast Paramount stage. Their 16-song set included selections from all three of their studio albums, emphasizing Strange Disciple.

The holiday weekend probably hurt attendance a bit, but the band seemed pleased by the turnout and thanked attendees profusely. The audience danced, sang along, and roared whenever Devaney hit a high note. Nation of Language seemed like they would bring the same positive energy to a house of ten or ten thousand.

They credited KEXP for the launch of their career, having performed several studio sessions there on previous tours. While in Seattle this time, the band planned a DJ set at Life on Mars, and a movie night at Here-After.

Sharing that they had first played the tiny Back Bar at Seattle’s old Crocodile, they said they were in disbelief to now be playing the Paramount—and “with fucking Blonde Redhead,” no less.

Long-time NYC noisy-shoegaze trio Blonde Redhead performed what was technically an opening set, although with their influence they felt more like co-headliners. The group included founding members Kazu Makino (vocals, guitar, keys), Simone Pace (drums), and Amedeo Pace (vocals, guitar).

Blonde Redhead drew a stylistic contrast to Nation of Language, with mostly minor keys and sometimes dark lyrics. Providing a compelling complement, their sound ranged from driving, guitar-heavy tunes, to danceable thumping bass drum and keys, to still songs with breathy vocals. Their set crossed several of their ten albums, including the 2023 Sit Down to Dinner. Makino wore a keffiyeh, and dedicated the final song to Palestinian liberation. Before exiting the stage, the Pace brothers stepped atop a subwoofer to distribute setlists to appreciative fans.

Nation of Language

Blonde Redhead