The Nude Party “Rides On” into Orange County
Review and photos by Sophia Fascenelli
The Nude Party stage setup (Photo: Sophia Fascenelli)
Garage-rock band, The Nude Party, put on an outstanding show at The Constellation Room in Orange County with their groovy sounds Friday night.
Seven-piece band, The Nude Party, is traveling all over the United States in their Chevrolet van to tour their third album, Rides On. The band, which consists of childhood friends and step-siblings – originating from North Carolina, but now New York-based – is made up of seven members: vocalist Patton Magee, guitarist Shaun Couture, bassist Alec Castillo, drums Connor Mikita, percussionist Austin Brose, pianist Don Merrill, and pedal steel guitarist Jon “Catfish” Delorme. Some concertgoers in attendance stated, the band's sound is a mix of Creedence Clearwater Revival and Bachman Turner Overdrive. The band's sound is a mix of blues-rock and neo-psychedelia, with a little bit of Western twist.
Breanna Barbara and her band got the night going with a 30-minute set. Breanna and her band brought an exceptional blues rock performance to the stage. Breanna showed up on stage in an amazing shiny sequined jumpsuit and silver platforms. I was quite impressed with her vocals and performing energy.
Breanna Barbara (left) and her band (right) (Film and digital photos: Sophia Fascenelli)
The Nude Party knows how to have a stage presence. The band arrived on stage wearing custom-made embroidered bedazzled jean suits. This band does not shy away from their unique ‘60s and ‘70s blues rock reeling jams. Each member plays an important role in their harmonizing in backup vocals. Their performance was clean and well-composed. The band stands out when playing live – from Magee’s unique rustic voice, Castillo’s heavy bass playing, and Brose’s wild percussion with tambourines, maracas, bongos, and congas – it really ties in with the perfection of their music.
They opened with an intro jam, thus leading into their song “Cure is You.” The band played a hefty 18-song set, including songs across their discography. Towards the end of their set, the band brought back Breanna Barbara to perform an upstanding cover of Dusty Springfield’s song “Spooky.” The night ended with two extra songs that were not on the setlist, “Feels Alright” and a fan favorite, “Chevrolet Van.”
The Nude Party makes music that you can dance to, which you don’t see a lot of nowadays. If they’re coming to a town near you, I would strongly recommend seeing them. I hope to see them return to Orange County on their next tour.
Vocalist Patton Magee (left) & drummer Connor Mikita (right) (Film photos by Sophia Fascenelli)
Setlist
Intro Stampede
Cure is You
Word Gets Around
Hard Times (All Around)
Cherry Red Boots
Polly Anne
Shine Your Light
Gringo Che
Astral Man
Lonely Heather
Sold out of Love
Midnight on Lafayette Park
Tree of Love
Spooky (Springfield cover w/ Breanna)
What’s the Deal?
Ride On
Feels Alright
Chevrolet Van