NONEWFRIENDS. plays nostalgic last show in Syracuse, debuts new song
By Katie Hopsicker
It was one of those college nights where the memory goes in a scrapbook. The air was warm and a full moon shimmered over a big backyard. String lights lit up a small corner in the trees, and a canopy of branches with newly born leaves dangled over a makeshift elevated stage. Spectators packed around the performers, stood on the railings of a back porch, and sat on the roof with their happy go lucky legs hanging off the edge.
With the weather changing and graduation looming, NONEWFRIENDS. created a nostalgic, celebratory, and feel-good vibe for the night.
The popular Syracuse band wisely used their last local house show to showcase their history. From singing their old classics to premiering a new song, the set list itself told their story.
The show featured songs like “The Hook” and “Already Gone,” which lead singer Liz Stuart explained was the first song the band made together in 2019. “Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae was played as an ode to their first house show together, at an old venue called The Ark. And when Stuart sang “May,” the glow of swaying phone flashlights lit up the backyard like fireflies in the night.
The band was clearly emotional, yet also expressed their gratitude for their fans, their experience, and each other. “This has been our world,” said Peter Groppe as he introduced his original song. They also played an original by keyboardist Scott Greenblatt.
NONEWFRIENDS. even debuted a new song, “When I Met You.” This upbeat jam is out right in time to blast full volume, cruising with the windows down all summer long. It was released at midnight last night on Spotify.
Ending the show with the hit “Personal,” had the crowd dancing and singing along, until Stuart sang the ending lyrics: “it’s time to say goodbye.” But the crowd thought otherwise, and cheers for an encore cued an impromptu rendition of “Teenage Dream,” by Katy Perry.
While the last show was certainly bittersweet, NONEWFRIENDS. has had quite the run. This show was not only a testament to the band's history, but also showed the power of music, friendship, and one’s college years. It will be exciting to see what they do and where they go, but one thing’s for sure: NONEWFRIENDS. will always be welcomed back in Syracuse.