Neon Dreams
September 6, 2024
The Carleton, Halifax, NS
On Friday, September 6, Halifax, NS alt-pop duo Neon Dreams wrapped up their third and final sold-out acoustic show in a row. The duo, made up of Frank Kadillac and Adrian Morris, is known for their high-energy live performances and this night was no exception–despite being seated throughout. They drew the audience in by sharing personal stories before each song, creating a connection with the crowd. The room was clapping, singing, and chanting along, and during their song “This Is It,” they even encouraged fans to get up and dance. Joining them on guitar and backing vocals was Owen Williams, who began performing on stage with Neon Dreams earlier this summer.
Without an opening act, Neon Dreams took the stage shortly after 8, kicking off the night with their hit “Little Dance” and performed for over an hour and a half. All three musicians had their parents in the audience that night, and they joked about how it made them feel like kids again, bringing back a sense of nervousness. The night began with a mellow vibe, featuring acoustic renditions of songs such as “High School Dropout,” “We Were Kings,” and “All The People.” During the latter, the band had the crowd repeat the chant “You’re not like all the people. I’m not like all the people” echoing the song’s message about shedding your mask and embracing who you truly are.
In June, the duo released their latest album, The Good, The True And The Beautiful. Frank shared that the opening track, “Big Ocean,” feels like the start of a movie soundtrack, reflecting both their lives and the lives of others. The energy kicked up a notch with this song as Adrian set aside his acoustic guitar for an electric drum set, while Frank picked up a ukulele–bringing fresh, dynamic sounds to the set. The band continued on to perform a handful of other songs from the new album such as “Jonah,” “Stardust,” and “Masterpiece.” “Masterpiece,” which pays tribute to a lost friend, and “Stardust,” dedicated to a fan who had passed away, left few dry eyes in the audience. Frank shared that another friend had once told him that when we pass, we become part of the earth and are always with those we leave behind, and that we are made of the same thing stars are.
Another highlight of the night was Neon Dreams’ cover of Nickelback’s “How You Remind Me,” which had even those who didn’t raise their hands when Adrian asked about Nickelback still bobbing their heads along. They then treated the audience to what they playfully called a “country version” of their song “The Art of Letting Go.” Following that was “Life Without Fantasy,” a track that, despite its initial struggles on Canadian airwaves, gained traction in South Africa during Covid. The night wrapped up with “A Thousand Marching Bands,” which had reached the Top 10 on the Top 40 Canadian radio charts and was a love song to music. True to form, the duo ended the show by leading everyone in a chorus of “I LOVE MY LIFE!” to keep the positive vibes going.
Make sure to catch Neon Dreams the next time you get the chance! I shared some video clips from the show with a few non-local friends, and they all loved it and asked who the band was. It’s not often that my concert video spam on Snapchat gets such a positive reaction, but Neon Dreams really knows how to impress. Unfortunately for us Canadians, their upcoming shows are in South Africa this month, but keep an eye on their website for new dates to be announced!
