The New Wave of Shoegraze Novulent in Tampa, Florida

Oct 6

Shoegraze lovers everywhere got a new hit in October of 2023 with Novulent’s release of “Scars”, and now almost two years later, the Texas-based artist brings his music to Florida. I was invited out to cover Novulent’s set on October 1st at Crowbar in Tampa, and damn, can I say they put on a show, and I’m not always the biggest shoegraze fan.

The night started with two amazing openers with music that set the tone, Zeruel from Baltimore and Brayton from Miami with Brayton being added along for their two Florida nights and I just have to say I love when artists bring a local musician with them, it makes the concert feel much more personable!

Then at 9:30, it was time for the main act. Everyone loved the openers and gave them their full energy, but as the excited whispers around me grew, as the lights grew dark, I knew this was the artist everyone had been waiting all night for. I’m from West Palm Beach, where local shoegraze bands sprout every other day, so this is a scene I’m pretty familiar with, but I was surprised by the crowd’s turnout. I’m used to the crowd of grunge teens and young adults, but the number of older folk shocked me, especially for an artist so young in their career. But age did nothing to stop the fans of the night, everybody was pushed up onto the stage and hanging off of every word Novulent sang.

The set started off pretty tame with their opening songs, and while a slower song was going on someone passed a flower bouquet up to them and it turned the song into a whole scene and really gave it life. The show was all rose petals until some random dude in the back started screaming “OPEN IT UP” and the night's fate was sealed.

Novulent is active with his fans online, and many times throughout the tour, they posted how much they loved the energy from the cities and the people. They gave lots of praise to Miami, the night before Tampa, posting how they KNEW how to turn up. Well, fans on the west coast saw that and the crowd was up for the challenge, screaming “WE HAVE TO BEAT MIAMI”. So when it was time to move the pit around, the crowd was ready. The pit was so open, people were pushing against the tables to the back, making room for the pushing and shoving. Next thing I knew, someone was up and in the air crowd surfing, and by the look on Novulent's and the whole band's faces, I don't think they expected that from the small, hot, and packed bar in Ybor, Tampa.

Novulent saves the best for last and leaves the big hit “Scars” until the end, although I know some people got some new favorites throughout the set, it was time for the big one. Phones whip out and everyone starts singing as Novulent gives it their all for the last song. And after an all around incredible performance, I walked out knowing that the new wave of shoegraze is stronger than ever and here to stay.