[TICKET GIVEAWAY] Slowdive w/ Drab Majesty | May 8 @ The Caverns

Ahead of their time, or at least at odds with their era, English dream pop/shoegaze outfit Slowdive were never particularly hailed by critics or understood by their label during ’89-’95 initial run. Formed by lifelong friends Rachel Goswell and Neil Halstead, Slowdive erupted onto the scene while still in their teens, crafting sweeping, ambient, pop soundscapes that borrowed from ’70s progressive rock and the indie and shoegaze scenes of the late ’80s. Released amidst a boom of grunge and alternative, their debut, Just for a Day, failed to resonate with the cultural zeitgeist, yet, in retrospect, serves as a brilliant, dreamy, timeless moment in indie rock. Perhaps the band’s biggest masterpiece, 1993 sophomore effort Souvlaki, recorded partially in collaboration with Brian Eno, kept their layered, hypnotic sound, but added elements of art rock and post-punk, producing a gorgeous, personal, and perfectly-rounded distillation of their sound. By their third and final original effort, Pygmalion, Slowdive, at odds with their label, still struggling to win over press, and only moderately successful with mainstream audiences, were faced with the departure of half of their members, prompting Goswell and Halstead (and final drummer Ian McCutcheon) to entirely switch musical gears and continue making music as subsequent project Mojave 3.

After, for nearly two decades, fading into a misunderstand relic of a bygone era, the classic Slowdive lineup (rounded out by guitarist Christian Savill, bassist Nick Chaplin, and drummer Simon Scott) suddenly reconvened in 2014, performing a well-received run of dates at festivals and clubs throughout the world, and connecting with a whole new audience who’d come to appreciate the band in their absence, as well as a crop of young artists influenced by them. Though the longevity of that reunion seemed uncertain at the time, the decade since has been something of a second-wind and critical reassessment for the group, now rightfully considered legends of their era, who’ve since released two new full-lengths- 2017’s eponymous comeback record and this year’s masterful Everything Is Alive– both, finally, to the widespread acclaim they deserve. As they’ve continued to tour and make music, the shoegaze scene itself has also seen a revival with Gen Z, with new artists embracing the style, and classic ones like Slowdive connecting with a new generation of fans, with Souvlaki being raised up as one of the genre’s (and of the 1990s in general’s) best and most important records, and the group’s recent work regularly topping year-end lists; a remarkable feat for a band whose comeback isn’t simply fueled by nostalgia, but is truly another rich, artistic chapter for a band who once seemed relegated to musical history.

In support of their latest, and on the heels of a lengthy world tour throughout the winter, Slowdive have announced a spring run of U.S. dates with LA darkwave and dream pop artist Drab Majesty, bringing them to the Nashville area- from what we can tell, for the first time ever– May 8 for an underground performance in The Caverns in nearby Pelham, TN, perhaps the area’s most unique performance space. We can’t think of a better setting to soak up Slowdive’s lush, etherial, and vibrant sound, and you can snag tickets, camping passes, cave tours, VIP upgrades, and more right here. However, we’re excited to announce that we’re also giving away a pair of tickets and a camping pass to one lucky fan! Check out the surreal stage in The Caverns, preview the performers, and enter below.

The Caverns at Pelham, TN where Slowdive will perform underground.

ENTER

LISTEN

Slowdive and Drab Majesty will perform Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at The Caverns in Pelham, TN. The show is 18+, begins at 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.), and tickets are available to purchase starting at $59.50 here.