I attended a Surf Curse concert recently and was blown away by their mesmerizing set. The band captivated the audience with their infectious energy and catchy tunes. From the moment they stepped on stage, Surf Curse had everyone on their feet, swaying and dancing to their surf-infused rock music. The duo, consisting of Nick Rattigan and Jacob Rubeck, played a mix of old favorites and tracks from their latest album, capturing the attention of fans old and new. Their performance was a whirlwind of emotions, with Rattigan's raw vocals and Rubeck's skilled guitar playing creating a powerful and captivating sound. They transitioned seamlessly from upbeat, jangly tracks like "Freaks" to more introspective and brooding songs like "Christine F" and "The Strange and the Kind.
by Rachel Littlewood
Most modern witches likely don t have a literal harvest to feast on and honor like the original celebrants of Mabon did, so the day instead marks a time to reflect on and honor the things we ve been working on this year and the work that we ve brought to fruition. The kids go back to school, we put away our flip flops and take out our parkas, start thinking about holiday plans, and those who enjoy winter sports anticipate when the first snow will fall.
They transitioned seamlessly from upbeat, jangly tracks like "Freaks" to more introspective and brooding songs like "Christine F" and "The Strange and the Kind." The crowd sang along to every word, creating a sense of unity and connection. The stage setup was simple yet effective, with moody lighting and a backdrop showcasing their album artwork.
Autumnal Equinox: Witches Share How They Celebrate
September 23 marks the 2019 Autumnal Equinox — a day when the sky is equal parts dark and light. It’s also the date that witches celebrate Mabon, one of the pagan festivals in the Wheel of the Year. The Wheel of the Year is the cyclical calendar of festivals that modern pagans celebrate. The Wheel symbolizes the continuous turning of time and mirrors nature’s cycles of death and rebirth. Named for the God of Welsh mythology, the festival celebrates the harvest and the life and that summer created as we prepare for the long, cold nights of winter.
Most modern witches likely don’t have a literal harvest to feast on and honor like the original celebrants of Mabon did, so the day instead marks a time to reflect on and honor the things we’ve been working on this year and the work that we’ve brought to fruition. “Mabon is the day that corresponds to the last harvest: It is a day to call in, a day to appreciate our many, many blessings and spread those around. It is a day to give thanks and let whatever bad habits or troubles that have been accumulating in our psyche in an unhelpful way go,” Sarah Faith Gottesdiener told Teen Vogue.
Gottesdiener is an artist, designer, tarot reader and witch — you may know her from her popular and often sold-out Many Moons workbooks or from her shop, Modern Women. For Gottesdiener, the season’s magic is especially potent because it combines with her celebration of the Jewish High Holy Days. While she says that the Celtic mythology attached to the Wheel of the year doesn’t resonate with her, its connection to nature and the season’s effects on us personally and collectively makes following it important to her. This includes embracing the return of the darkness that accompanies the Equinox. “The darkness is a beautiful thing, because it is where seeds germinate. The darkness is deeply potent: it is our subconscious and a source of our own power,” Gottesdiener said.
For writer and intuitive tarot reader Swati Khurana, the Autumnal Equinox is a profoundly personal holiday. After Khurana began shifting away from the label of “Hindu” 20 years ago to separate herself from what she called a "tradition that was connected to caste violence," she said she started questioning and opting out of holidays and traditions that felt like they no longer fit into her “post-colonial intersectional feminist perspective.”
“I loved the rituals of being among women in temple, applying mendhi on my hands, creating trays of offerings, and walking into the moonlight,” Khurana told Teen Vogue about her appreciation of certain aspects of some Hindu holidays. “As I started observing the Equinox, I used elements that I still find so beautiful, but recast them in a ritual that centered self-actualization and personal freedom. Observing the Equinox became a way for me to reclaim the season [that] includes my birthday and my two favorite holidays — Diwali and Halloween — from a feminist perspective.”
If it’s your first time celebrating Mabon, Gottesdiener recommends choosing rituals that feel sacred to you and that have intuitive resonance. “Like celebrating the phases of the moon, or the different seasons, make it personal, and make it about celebrating and honoring life in the present moment— that is ultimately, what all great magick does,” she said.
Swati Khurana by Abeer HoqueGottesdiener will be celebrating by hosting a customary potluck feast for loved ones where they’ll eat, read poems, pull tarot cards, reflect, and burn that which they wish to release. She also plans to do some solo celebrating. “For the most part, I am a solitary practitioner, so I'll also be reflecting and working with the energies for myself personally as well. Because of the placement of the [waxing] moon, this year, I'll be focused on what I wish to harvest more of in my life,” told Teen Vogue.
Social justice educator Steph Guthrie offered a ritual facilitated for her birthday by friend Kritty Uranowski that felt particularly meaningful during a difficult year of her life. “We each wrote down on small pieces of paper one thing we were grateful for from the summer that we’d carry with us into the winter, one thing we were ready to leave behind, and one thing we hoped to manifest in the months ahead,” she told Teen Vogue. After a consensual and optional sharing of their reflections, participants burned the things they wanted to leave behind, planted in the ground the things they hoped to manifest, and held onto the things we were grateful for.
Even if you don’t identify as a witch or aren’t up for a planning big ritual, pausing to acknowledge the season’s changing is a valuable practice for reflection and gaining perspective.“Dedication to observing and respecting the natural world is something that anyone can do, whether they are witches or not,” said scientist and college instructor T. Kempton. “Seasonal holidays like Mabon encourage us to be active participants in the turning wheel of time, living intentionally and intensely, instead of just coasting through life. Mabon is a beautiful time, and we are beautiful within it.”
Though temperatures may still be warm during the day, summer has truly come to an end. The leaves on deciduous trees have begun to turn colors and fall to the ground, and there is a chill in the evening air. The days were longer than the nights until this moment, and after this the nights will begin their reign. The God is making his exit from the stage of the seasons, heading toward his symbolic death at Samhain in just a few short weeks. As with Ostara, the theme of balance is highlighted here, reminding us that everything is temporary, that no season lasts forever, and that neither dark nor light ever overpowers the other for long.
This allowed the focus to be solely on the music and the band's dynamic stage presence. Rattigan's animated performance style and Rubeck's cool demeanor complemented each other perfectly, creating an engaging and visually appealing show. One of the highlights of the set was the band's performance of their hit song, "Heathers." The crowd erupted in excitement as the recognizable guitar riff began, and the energy in the room reached its peak. Everyone sang along at the top of their lungs, creating an electric atmosphere. Overall, the Surf Curse concert set was an unforgettable experience. The band's talent and passion were on full display, and they left the audience wanting more. Their unique blend of surf rock and indie-pop resonated with fans, creating a sense of connection and camaraderie. I left the concert feeling inspired and truly grateful to have witnessed such an amazing performance..
Reviews for "Capturing the Essence of a Surf Curse Concert Set: A Visual Journey"
1. Sarah - 2/5
I was really disappointed with the Surf Curse concert set. First of all, the sound quality was terrible. I could hardly make out the lyrics, and the instruments were drowned out by the loud bass. It felt like the equipment wasn't properly set up or the venue was just not suitable for live performances. Additionally, the band lacked stage presence. They seemed disinterested and unengaging with the audience, which made the whole experience feel dull. Overall, it was a letdown and I wouldn't recommend attending one of their concerts.
2. Mike - 1/5
Attending the Surf Curse concert set was a waste of my time and money. The band lacked any sort of energy or enthusiasm on stage. They played through their setlist as if they were just going through the motions. The lead singer's vocals were off-pitch and at times, it was difficult to even understand what he was trying to sing. The lack of interaction with the crowd was also disappointing, as I expected a more engaging and dynamic performance. I left feeling underwhelmed and regretful of spending my hard-earned money on this concert.
3. Emily - 2/5
I had high expectations for the Surf Curse concert set, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The band's performance felt lackluster and unoriginal. There was no uniqueness or standout moments that captured my attention. The setlist was predictable and didn't offer any surprises or variation. The audience seemed disengaged, which further dampened the overall atmosphere. I really wanted to enjoy the concert, but it just didn't live up to the hype for me. I would suggest exploring other live shows before settling for a Surf Curse concert.